Greenbank Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenbank Farm |
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The front of the main barn
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| Town/City | Greenbank, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°06′25″N 122°34′26″W / 48.10694°N 122.57389°W |
| Owner | Port of Coupeville |
Greenbank Farm is a special place on Whidbey Island in Greenbank, Washington. It's a popular spot for visitors and a community gathering place. The farm started in 1904. It grew to become the largest farm in the United States for growing loganberries. These are a yummy fruit that's a mix between blackberries and raspberries.
In 1977, the community worked together to buy the farm. They wanted to save it from being turned into houses. Today, Greenbank Farm is a fun place to visit. It has walking trails, a restaurant, and art galleries. It also hosts many events, like the Tour de Whidbey bike ride. The farm is located on a very narrow part of Whidbey Island. This gives it amazing views from its trails. Many people on Whidbey Island see it as the dividing line between the north and south parts of the island.
Contents
Farm History
A Farm's Beginning
Greenbank Farm was started in 1904 by Calvin Philips and his family. They wanted it to be a top dairy farm. Their goal was to help bring more business to Whidbey Island. The famous barn you see there today was built in that first year. By 1906, they had cleared 125 acres of land. This was to make more space for their growing number of cows.
Challenges and New Crops
In the early 1930s, the farm faced a sad problem. All their cows got sick with a disease called tuberculosis. Because of this, the entire herd had to be removed. The farm struggled for a while. It was then sold in the 1940s. At that time, it had several buildings and 522 acres of land.
The new owner, John Molz, decided to try something different. He chose to grow loganberries. These are a special fruit, a mix of blackberries and raspberries. Greenbank Farm soon became the biggest loganberry farm in the United States. It had 125 acres of berry bushes! Molz also started making wine from his loganberries. He sold this wine under the name Pommerelle.
Saving the Farm
John Molz ran the farm until 1984. The company that owned Pommerelle and the farm was sold. Its name changed to Ste. Michelle Vintners. In 1987, the farm got a fresh start with new management. They built a new visitor center and tried to grow more berries. But by 1995, the farm was in trouble again. The company planned to sell the land for new housing. The local community strongly disagreed with this idea.
In 1997, the farm was saved! Island County, the Port of Coupeville, and The Nature Conservancy worked together to buy it. The Port bought the 151 acres of farmland. The County and Conservancy bought the woodlands. This teamwork made sure Greenbank Farm would be protected for the future.
Greenbank Farm Today
The Port of Coupeville created a plan for Greenbank Farm in 2009. It says that the farm is a "special place" that should be kept safe for future generations. The farm shows what the people of Whidbey Island care about. These values include protecting nature and old buildings. The plan also wants the farm to be a great example of community-supported farming. It should also be a place where people can gather and feel connected.
Fun for Visitors
Greenbank Farm offers many fun things to do for people who visit. There are several walking trails that go through the old fields. The big, historic "Whidbey 1904 Barn" is a popular spot. It's used for weddings, parties, and other events. Some of the most popular events are the Tour de Whidbey bike ride, the Harvest Faire, and the Holiday Market.
Shops and Galleries
The farm also has many independent shops. These are called The Shops at Greenbank Farm. You can find yummy treats at Whidbey Pies Cafe. There's also the Greenbank Farm Wine Shop and Greenbank Cheese. You can explore unique items at Seaside & Sylvan Home, Artworks Gallery, and Raven Rocks Gallery & Gifts. The Whidbey Camano Land Trust also has an office there.
Farm Geography
Greenbank Farm is located right in Greenbank, Washington. It's about 13 minutes south of Coupeville. It's also 10 minutes north of Freeland. The farm sits on one of the narrowest parts of Whidbey Island. This special location gives visitors amazing views of Puget Sound on both sides of the island. Even though it's only about a third of the way up the island, many local people see it as the landmark that divides North and South Whidbey.
Solar Power at the Farm
In 2011, Greenbank Farm added a large solar power system. This was made possible with help from Puget Sound Energy and local people who invested in the project. At first, they couldn't afford to fill the whole area with solar panels. But they built the system so it could easily be expanded later. Back then, it could make up to 25.1 kilowatt hours of electricity.
By 2019, the solar farm had grown a lot. It is now owned by 36 different investors. It can generate a maximum of 152 kilowatt hours of clean energy. This shows the farm's commitment to using renewable energy.
