RAISED & GROWN: A WASHINGTON AG EXPERIENCE BRINGS CREATORS TO THE HEART OF WASHINGTON AGRICULTURE

A group of talented creators recently hit the road to experience the best of Washington agriculture firsthand through Raised & Grown: A Washington Ag Experience—a three-day journey across Central Washington’s farms, dairies, ranches, and vineyards. The event was a collaborative effort between Washington’s major ag commodity groups—WA Wine, WA Beef, WA Dairy, and WA Potatoes—with a shared goal to inspire authentic storytelling about the people and passion behind our state’s diverse agricultural community.

The adventure began in Ellensburg with a visit to Full Barn Ranch, where Kyler Beard showcased sustainable grazing and low-stress cattle handling in action. From there, the group enjoyed award-winning tamales at Los Hernandez Tamales, followed by tours of Post 5 Cattle Co. and J&K Dairy, where generational dedication to herd care and land stewardship were on full display.

As the sun set over the Yakima Valley, creators arrived at Canyon Vineyard Ranch, their glamping home base nestled among the vines of Browne Family Vineyards. A special “Welcome to WA Ag Country” dinner brought together local farmers, ranchers, and producers for a true farm-to-table experience prepared by The Q Wood Fired Grill.

Day two included a visit to AgriNorthwest, a premier multi-crop operation showcasing cutting-edge irrigation technology, sustainability, and innovation in the Columbia Basin. Lunch at Country Mercantile offered a taste of local bounty before the group enjoyed a magical evening on Red Mountain, hosted by Kiona Vineyards, with wines from Frichette Winery and Upsidedown Wines.

The journey wrapped up with a hands-on cooking class led by Chef Joel Gamoran of Homemade, where participants created a meal celebrating the local ingredients they had experienced throughout their travels.

This immersive experience gave each creator a new appreciation for Washington’s agricultural diversity—from potatoes and beef to dairy and wine—and the families who make it all possible.

Follow the Creators

Relive the journey and see Washington agriculture through their eyes! Follow these talented storytellers on social media:

• Adria Saracino – @emeraldpalate
• Misty Banchero – @SeattleButchersWife
• Mary Cressler – @vindulge
• Venice Cunningham & Belinda Kelly – @thesimplegoodnesssisters
• Danielle & Mike Kartes – @rusticjoyfulfood

Follow the Partners

Stay connected with Washington’s ag community and the organizations who made this journey possible:

• 🥔 WA Potatoes – IG/TikTok: @wapotatoes | FB: Washington State Potato Commission | X: @WAStatePotatoes
• 🐄 WA Beef – IG/TikTok: @WABeefLove | FB/X: @WABeef
• 🧀 WA Dairy – IG/TikTok: @wadairyfarmers | FB: Dairy Farmers of Washington
• 🍷 WA Wine – IG/X: @wa_state_wine | FB: Washington State Wine