JULY 22, 2007 - SLOW FOOD FARM TOUR AND TASTING

HEDLIN FAMILY FARMS

12275 Valley Road, Mt. Vernon

THEY GROW THE BEST TOMATOES IN THE NORTHWEST

Dave Hedlin, farmer at Hedlin Family Farms in La Conner, guided us on a tour of his farm stand, u-pick gardens and tomato greenhouses.

Hedlin Family Farm sells at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market, as well as their farm stand at the traffic circle at the entrance to La Conner.

The Hedlin family has farmed this land for over 100 years. The historic family farm is dissected by Sullivan Slough, a waterway teeming with bird and fish life. Today, the Food Alliance Certified operation consists of 40 acres of organically grown row crops, more than 300 acres of seed crops (primarily spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli), and about 2 acres of hothouses where fabulous heirloom tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and heirloom peppers are grown. Hedlin Family Farm offers a scenic view of the surrounding valley and a fabulous 10-acre market garden, a farm stand, and farmstead, featuring the original home, built in 1913.