ORGANIC FARMS IN KITSAP COUNTY
KITSAP COUNTY is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. It is defined by water with the Puget Sound to the east and north, and the Hood Canal along its western border. Kitsap County is the sixth most populated county in Washington with almost 250,000 people.
Agriculture has always had a significant presence in Kitsap County. Though development has cut into this practice, six percent of the total land area (about 15,000 acres) is still devoted to farms. Of the more than 600 farms in Kitsap, the average individual size is 23 acres. Most of Kitsap's farms are even smaller, with more than half consisting of less than 10 acres. At last count, only a little more than 80 farms focused on raising vegetables, with 110 selling fruits and nuts. Poultry, eggs, and dairy products are sold on approximately 160 farms. In 2007, Kitsap County listed 42 farms that were certified organic.
Direct Sales to Customers
Over the past decade, direct sales from Kitsap farms to customers has tripled, a trend that has been steadily increasing not only in Washington but across the nation. There are currently 10 local farmers' markets in Kitsap County, which are located in Bainbridge, Bremerton, Indianola, Keyport, Kingston, Port Gamble, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, Silverdale, and Suquamish. Many Kitsap farmers also sell directly to consumers through Community Suported Agriculture (commonly referred to as CSA's). Farm credits (paying in advance with a discount) are also used. Farmstands, Pick-Your-Own (PYO's), on-farm stores, and Internet sales provide other ways for consumers to buy direct from farmers.
List of Kitsap Farms
Choose the area of Kitsap that you are interested in. You will be directed to a full page, detailing the exact location of the farm, the crops that are sold, and other interesting facts about the farmers and their products.
LIST OF KITSAP FARMERS MARKETS
North Kitsap
Bainbridge Farmers Market --Open Saturdays April thru December at City Hall, Madison and Winslow Indianola Farmers Market --Open Saturdays until noon at the community center Keyport Farmers Market Kingston Farmers Market --Open Saturdays October thru October at Port of Kingston, corner of Washington and Central Port Gamble Farmers Market --Open April thru September at Downtown Port Gamble, hgy. 104 and Puget Way Poulsbo Farmers Market --Open Saturdays April thru December at Poulsbo Village Medical Center, Corner of 7th and Iverson Suquamish Farmers Market --Open Wednesdays, April thru October at field across from Village Shell Gas |
Central Kitsap
Bremerton Farmers Market --Open Thursdays, May thru October across from Evergreen Park, at Sheldon and Park Silverdale Farmers Market --Open Tuesdays May thru September at Silverdale Beach Hotel, Bucklin HIll Road |
South Kitsap
Belfair Farmers Market --Open May thru September Olalla Valley Farmers Market --Open Fridays April thru October next to Olalla Bible Church Port Orchard Farmers Market --Open Saturdays April thru October at Port Orchard Waterfront, Marina Parkway and Harrison |
