Farm stand neighbors seasons closing

Autumn has arrived and settled in. The leaves are falling, the snow geese are returning and farm stand stock is thinning. The fresh produce season is transitioning.

The farm stand at Hedlin's Family Farm officially closes on Halloween, but it may open on occasion in the days following. La Conner Gardens remains open all year as long as they have produce available. It also will continue at the Anacortes Farmers Market through their season ending Oct. 28.

This season has been good for area farmers. "Pretty steady compared to other years," said La Conner Gardens' Chris Dariotis.

It has "gone well," according to Kai Ottesen of Hedlin's Family Farms. The real test of success is whether you get to do it again next year, he noted. By that measure, this year succeeded. When that happens, the community benefits.

Enterprises like these are constantly adjusting. Ottesen and his wife, Jules Riske, took over managing the farm stand this year. "We tried to freshen things up," said Ottesen. That included more lights, new signs and more social media. They added crackers to complement their local cheeses and pasta sauce to match the pasta.

The farm stand had always been "everyone's third priority," said Ottesen. This transition year saw Ottesen and Riske take greater responsibility for it. The changes have paid dividends and they plan to build on that.

Dariotis has been amending the soil with gypsum the last two years, which loosens the clay soil and adds a stronger taste to onions and garlic. Last year, La Conner Gardens' newly constructed hoop house was partially destroyed in a windstorm. After repairs, its use extend the season. Tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants are still growing and will continue until the frost penetrates the hoop house. Fingers are crossed that a windstorm will not repeat.

Skagit farm stands attract loyal local customers and new ones who come from beyond the valley, from Bellingham to Seattle.

"Loyal customers come looking for us," said Dariotis,.

"The community reception has really been positive," said Ottesen. "The support in La Conner is a real gift." To support Skagit agriculture, Hedlin's Family Farm carries produce from neighboring growers, too. "We show off their best, as well as ours," he said.

With much still to do, looking ahead may be premature, but planning is a must. Keeping produce fresh is Dariotis' biggest challenge, so adding refrigeration at La Conner Gardens is a priority. Ottesen has had his marketing antenna out. He knows wild-looking gourds are selling well, so they need to plant more next year.

As temperatures drop and the farm stands tuck in for winter, retail selling ends but the work is not finished. Such labor never is.