Everything You Need For Your Trip To

DUGUALLA BAY BERRIES

People often wonder how to prepare for a day at the farm.

We are here to help!

How to get to Dugualla Bay Berries

Head southeast toward State Rte 20 E

13 ft

Turn left toward State Rte 20 E

197 ft

Turn left onto State Rte 20 E

4.1 mi

36951 State Rte 20

What are Dugualla Bay Berries hours?

The farm is open Monday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm and on Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm.

Where do I go if I have questions?

Ask Sarah a question by messaging her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Dugualla-Bay-Berries-100237988461968/?ref=page_internal

Is there a restroom I can use while I am there?

Yes, there is a restroom onsite available for you to use.

Do I need to bring my own baskets?

No, you will be provided with baskets for picking and cartons to take your berries home with you.

Can I pick berries in the rain?

It is suggested that you do not pick berries when it is raining. This is because blueberries have thin skin and a high respiratory rate. Berries that are picked in the rain retain the moisture, in turn, this will cause your picked blueberries to mold significantly faster than if they were picked when not raining.

Can I bring my pet with me?

While they love pets, it is suggested that you do not bring your pets with you as they are not allowed on the field.

How much does it cost?

$3.00 per lb. You Pick Berries

$5.00 per lb. Pre Picked Berries

$7.00 per lb. Frozen Berries

What do I need to bring with me?

Not a whole lot, they provide everything you need. However, we do suggest sunscreen since you will be out under the sun and closed-toed shoes as you will be walking through the field.

Can I freeze the berries?

Yes, you can!

1. Do not wash the berries you plan on freezing.

2. Put them in a freezer bag (we suggest separating into the specific amounts you will thaw and use at a time).

3. Place into your freezer.

Where can I find them on Social Media?

on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/duguallabayberries/

on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Dugualla-Bay-Berries-100237988461968/?ref=page_internal

Enjoy your berries fresh, in pies, muffins, syrups, jams, pancakes, fozen, smooties, yougurts, and more!

Don't forget to tag @duguallabayberries

and @windermere_whidbey_island in your instagram posts!

Whidbey Island has always been widely known for its farming history.

In 1850 Isaac Ebey became the first official white settler on Whidbey Island making claim to the soft rolling hills of what we know as Ebey's Landing today.  The rich soil was ideal for cultivating crops which became a significant draw to the island for others. Learn more here.

Over the years several small wharfs were built along the shore of Penn Cove to import and export goods to and from the island.

In conjunction with the development of Fort Casey, our beloved Coupeville Wharf was built extending 500 feet into the cove to accommodate the increase in commerce even when the tide was low. It acted as the main distribution and storage center for grain. Learn more here.

Over the years Whidbey has stayed true to its roots and farmers have expanded into their own unique niches throughout the island.

The summer season brings a unique opportunity for you to visit local farms for a day in the fields picking the best berries and guaranteeing you the freshest pick of the crop for a day that you will remember for years to come.

This September (2022) we have partnered with Dugualla Bay Berries to offer you a 20% discount on your blueberry purchase when you present our special postcard. If you are interested in receiving one and have not received yours already email us here at whidbeycommunications@windermere.com. Provide us your name, and mailing address and specify you would like a discount card to Dugualla Bay Berries.

Buying property suitable for horses is no small task. It is certainly not the typical home buying experience. There is so much to consider from what kind of property best meets the needs of your horses to what kind of home will best meet your wants and needs. Speaking from experience, the horses’ needs are typically the priority.

Working with an experienced Equestrian Advisor/Realtor will also help ensure your home search and purchase go as smoothly as possible. You can find one here.

The Property has Acreage:  Is it Suitable for Horses?

Any Equestrian Advisor/Realtor will be the first to tell you that, just because a property has plentiful acreage does not mean it will be a suitable property for your horses. The best property will be flat to gently sloped with good drainage, open areas with grass for grazing, with few trees, and wet areas. Horses weigh 1000 to 1500 pounds on average, which puts a lot of weight on the ground. Therefore, horses can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

The priority is finding an Equestrian Property with useable land – meaning not acres of unusable gullies, steep edges, or too many bodies of water. More land doesn’t necessarily mean it is better, the useability is the priority.

Amenities:

Housing horses and livestock on your property can be done with ease with a few convenient amenities. It is important to consider these amenities as they add value to the Equestrian Property:

• Barn – Does it have an adequate number of stalls for your needs and the right size for your type of horse? Horse stalls can measure from 10 x 10 to 12 x 12 or even larger. Does it have the capability to increase the size of the stall to make foaling stalls?  Are the stalls matted? Are there runouts (sacrifice paddocks) off the stalls?
• Hay Storage – What style is the barn? If it is a Monitor style barn, does it have a hayloft? How much hay can be stored in the hayloft? If there is no hayloft, is there adequate storage for hay elsewhere?
• Tack Room – Does the barn have a tack room? If so, is it insulated? It is important to be able to store tack, brushes, and other items in the tack room without them getting damp and moldy.
• Tack Area and/or Wash Bay – While one can do without this amenity it sure is a bonus to have it.
• Quality and Safe Fencing – Fencing can be quite costly (please watch for our future blog on fencing). It adds a lot of value to an Equestrian Property to have good quality and safe fencing. Equally important is how well it is laid out on the property. Is the property fenced and cross-fenced?
• Arena (Indoor and/or Outdoor) or Training Round Pen with good footing – It is a huge bonus to find a property with an arena, especially an indoor arena. Indoor arenas are getting increasingly more difficult to get approval to build and depending on the size can cost well over $100,000 to build. Outdoor arenas are great but have their challenges.  It becomes difficult to manage the footing due to weather. Footing in the arena is something to really consider.  Each discipline has its own preferences for footing type and depth.  But any equestrian will agree that poor footing can cost you a lot – cause lameness in your horses resulting in expensive vet bills and not to mention the time to rehabilitate the horse from injury.
• Water source and location of water on the property. Are there ample spigots to the pastures/paddocks and arena?
• Electricity – Does the barn have electricity running to it?

Your Routine:

Transitioning to an Equestrian Lifestyle is a big adjustment.  Make sure you are taking your daily routine into consideration when looking at properties.  Consider the layout of the Equestrian Property. Does it seem that your daily routine will be seamless i.e., bringing horses in and out from pasture/paddocks to the barn?  Are there turnouts off the barn that make it easier on your daily routine?  Where is the manure kept? Ultimately, as an Equestrian, you want to be able to leave your property and know that your horses will be safe and sound while you are away.

Barn(s) and Outbuildings Should be Inspected Too:

You have found your Equestrian Property.  It will cost you extra, but it is important to have your inspector inspect the Barn(s) as well as the Outbuildings.  Your horses are part of your family, and you want to make sure that they will be safe in their surroundings.  It is important to have a professional evaluate the Barn and Outbuildings for structural issues, electrical issues, or other potential problems.

Zoning Regulations:

Do not assume that the property is an approved horse property just because the owners or prior owners have had horses on the property in the past.  Part of the Inspection process will be to do a little research with local city, county, and/or HOA regulations for agriculture and livestock. Do not let this lack of research cut into your dreams of owning an Equestrian Property.

Let us help you make your dreams of owning an Equestrian Property a reality:

To be honest this is all just the tip of the iceberg when searching for an Equestrian Property.  It helps to have someone working for you that has done this before.  Let’s get you connected. It would be an honor to help you make your dreams a reality.

In the early 1900s, the Greenbank Farm in Greenbank was used to harvest trees and maintain a dairy herd. The main barn you see today dates back to 1904. By the 1940s the farm was sold to John Molz who began loganberry farming. By 1970 it was the largest Loganberry farm in the US. Later it was sold to Chateau Ste. Michelle who planned to sell the 522 acres for residential development. Luckily in 1997 the Port of Coupeville, Nature Conservatory, and Island County combined forces and purchased the Farm for public use.

Today, this picture-perfect farm features dog-friendly walking trails, demonstration gardens, solar power demonstrations, wetlands, wildlife, several shops, and art galleries. One of our favorites is the Whidbey Pie Cafe that brings tribute to the history of the farm with their loganberry pie among many other delicious choices.

Check out the rest of Whidbey’s beautiful destinations from this series here.

UPick Berries

There is nothing that will make you appreciate delicious berries more than the sweat and work that goes into picking them. Working for those juicy goodies will only make them taste even better, and that’s why we love the opportunity to visit local farms for their U-Pick berry events. There are several farms on Whidbey Island that give you the chance to take the family and pick your own strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries!

1. Bell’s Farms: 892 West Beach Rd, Coupeville.

Bell’s Farms is practically famous on Whidbey Island for their plump and juicy strawberries. They host the annual Strawberry Daze Festival where you can not only pick strawberries, but also enjoy a glass of strawberry lemonade and other delicious strawberry treats while you are there. Bring the kids they have a petting zoo and fun activities too! UPick strawberry season can vary so follow their Facebook page for real time updates.  https://www.facebook.com/Bells-Farm-164501900234634/

2. Bonnie’s Blueberries: 4414 N Jones Rd, Oak Harbor.

Boasting of 75+ year old blueberry bushes, Bonnie’s Blueberries is the perfect place to pick your own fresh Rubels, Atlantic, and Jersey blueberries. This small, mother and son run business is a favorite in Oak Harbor due to their welcoming personalities and of course the delicious blueberries! Their blueberry season typically runs somewhere around July 1^st through September 31^st, however the blueberry crop is totally dependent on mother nature. For updates on Blueberries and when they will be ready, call 360-679-3600. If you just can’t’ wait that long Bonnie’s Blueberries offers frozen berries year-round, just call to place your order!

3. Hunter’s Moon Farm: 935 Bunch Lane, Oak Harbor.

Hunter’s Moon Farm, a certified organic blueberry farm, provides the chance to pick a variety of late season blueberries. The farm is open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-4pm and the blueberry season is expected to begin the end of July and run through the middle of September. To stay up to date on their season and other happenings around the farm, you can sign up for their mailing list here: http://huntersmoonorganics.com/ . Hunter’s Moon is also known for their blueberry honey, snack bars, syrup, and jam which you can grab while you are there for your blueberry picking adventure! You can also follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hunters-Moon-Farm-764648210260935/

4. Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm: 2726 Laurel Lane, Oak Harbor.

If you’re looking for more of a “private” blueberry picking experience. Crescent Harbor Blueberry Farm is the place to go, and they don’t stop at blueberries! This small, family farm also offers raspberries, Marion berries, tayberries, and boysenberries. U-Pick berries at Crescent Harbor are available by appointment only. To make your appointment and get updates on the crop availability, give them a call at 360-679-4210.

5. K&R Farms The Stand: 36699 SR 20, Oak Harbor.

Previously known as Dugualla Bay Farm, K&R Farm “The Stand” is making its presence known in Oak Harbor. Stop by for a U-pick strawberry and raspberry experience, then reward your hard work with a hearty serving of ice cream! The Stand has not released their U-Pick days just yet, so you will want to follow their Facebook page for updates on their crop, and hours of operation as it changes from week to week. https://www.facebook.com/KandRFarmsLLC/

Map of UPick Berry Farms:

You might also like:

Whidbey Island Pop-up Flower Stands

Summer Programs For Kids

From Their Farm to Your Table

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From Their Farm to Your Table

Just like most things nostalgic, many of us can recall our parents or grandparents growing something tasty in a small veggie garden. Remember those little cherry tomatoes that grow and develop into vibrant, juicy, delectable, red balls of happiness that burst in your mouth and send a tingle all the way down to your toes. If you have not been lucky enough to experience this taste and feeling you need to put that on your to do list this summer!

There is just something extra yummy about fresh out of the ground, sun-warmed produce.

You may be a little challenged in the gardening department or more likely just too busy to tend a garden. You may be wishing you could grow your own fresh produce instead of digging through bins at the store for an acceptable looking vegetable from halfway across the world.

If this is you, a farm share may be the perfect solution and an experience that every Whidbey resident should have at least once!

Wait a minute, what on earth is a farm share? (Don’t worry, many say the same thing when they first learned about them!)

A farm share allows you to purchase a weekly “share” from a local farm’s crop. We are so lucky here on Whidbey to have agriculture and amazing produce farms just minutes away.

Check it out! Some things you should know about how important and special farm shares are…

#1 Eating seasonally tastes better! When you purchase fresh-grown produce, you are receiving crops that change with seasons. Unlike the grocery store, where everything is available most of the year, farm shares are providing you with produce that grows and ripens at different times of the year. Naturally ripened food that doesn’t have to travel far tastes different, better…

#2 Get creative & adventurous in the kitchen! With trying new produce comes trying new recipes, experimenting with your new-found veggies, and learning how to cook with the seasons. This is an excellent chance to experience produce you have never tried or may have never heard of before. You may end up with things like arugula, green garlic, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, chard, pears, apples, strawberries… the list goes on and on!

#3 Support the rural/agricultural feel of Whidbey by supporting our local farmers! By participating in a farm share, you are not only enjoying fresh produce each week, you are supporting a local farmer and the local economy. Farms shares cut out the middle man. Instead of being sent off for packaging and delivery, produce is harvested and put together in a box, basket, or bag for you to take home and enjoy. By paying for your share upfront, the farmer can use that money to purchase seeds, bulbs, and other necessities to keep their farm running, and provide you with high quality produce. Another bonus: knowing how much crop they need helps farmers plan better for the growing season, resulting in less waste!

So, where on Whidbey Island can you participate in a farm share? Several farms in Coupeville, Freeland, Langley, and Clinton participate in Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA). The growing season typically runs the end of March through November/September, and prices range from $200-$800 a growing season, depending on how large of a selection you want each week. Some of these farms offer fresh eggs, poultry, and pork as well. Each farm has a different process for sign up, payment, and pick up so be sure to check out their website to find out how you can get involved in your very own farm share.

Prairie Bottom Farm- Coupeville

Wilbur & Julieanna Purdue

http://www.prairiebottomfarm.com/csa/

Rosehip Farm & Garden- Coupeville

Linda Bartlett & Valerie Reuther

http://rosehipfarmandgarden.com/data/csa.html

Deep Harvest Farm- Freeland

Annie Jesperson & Nathaniel Talbot

https://deepharvestfarm.com/csa/

12 Birches Farm- Langley

Anna Petersons

https://deepharvestfarm.com/csa/

Ebb Tide Produce- Langley

Blake & Bobbie Mennella

Jack Baars, Whitney Heitzman

https://www.ebbtideproduce.com/services

Full Cycle Farm- Langley

Britt & Eric Conn

http://www.fullcyclefarm.com/food.html

SkyRoot Farm- Clinton

Beth Wheat & Arwen Norman

http://www.skyrootfarm.com/community-supprted-agriculture/

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