Tri-Cities kids can pick their pumpkins. U-pick and X-mas tree farms can open
Tri-Cities children can visit a farm to pick out a pumpkin this fall, as Washington state officials allow U-pick farms to open in Benton and Franklin counties.
However, kids will have to forego some of the traditional activities that often come with a visit to a U-pick pumpkin patch.
Corn mazes, haunted houses and hayrides are not allowed until Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start reopening plan to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Benton and Franklin are in modified Phase 1.
However, if a wagon piled with hay bales is the transportation a farmer provides to get children to the fields, then the ride is allowed, according to state rules for farms considered “agritourism.”
Many U-pick farms opened this spring in Benton and Franklin counties, believing they were essential businesses allowed to open to provide food. But a recent state announcement regarding the state’s agritourism rules made clear they were not allowed to open yet.
The Benton Franklin Health District and local government leaders, concerned that U-pick farms had no way to harvest their late summer fruit and vegetable crops, appealed to the state Department of Health, which agreed they could reopen immediately on Friday.
“We really appreciate the state understanding the urgency of the situation,” said Kathleen Clary-Cooke, spokeswoman for the local health district. “We potentially could have had crops rotting in the field.”
Among crops ready for U-pick now in the Tri-Cities area are blackberries, raspberries and several varieties of apples and peaches.
Farms will have to comply with state rules intended to protect against COVID-19, including requiring customers to wear cloth face coverings and practice physical distancing.
Activities should be held outdoors if possible, with indoor activities limited to food service and retail sales, according to the state.
Playgrounds, bounce houses and petting zoos at farms may not be opened.
The notification allowing opening of U-pick farms also will allow the opening of Christmas tree farms later this winter.