2023 Washington State FFA Convention
Industry Tour Opportunites in the Tri-Cities Area
Last Updated 4-17-2023
The following is a list of places that are willing to give tours to students during the Washington State FFA Convention. To schedule a tour, please contact the individual listed and set up a time and day that will work for both.
You will be required to provide your own transportation for students as well as pay any fees that are listed. The days and times are limited for some facilities so please pay attention to the details provided for each tour possibility. I am in the process of confirming tours at Middleton Farms as well as Lamb Weston so check back for more information about those possibilities.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Denise Senor (aggiepuffin@icloud.com) or call 509-521-3903.
Wilco
Contact: Marybeth Clement - marybeth.clement@wilco.corp or 509-547-5577
Date: Date and time will be limited due to participation in Convention. Call to make arrangements.
Tour the new Wilco store located in Pasco, Washington. Learn about their youth discount program, FFA Grants, and gift card contest.
Cost: Free (limited to purchase)
Ranch & Home
Contact: Jeff Dress - 509-539-9161
Date: May 11-13
Tour the Kennewick location of Ranch & Home. Learn about their youth discount program and how they got started in the Farm Store business. Wear your FFA jacket and get 20% off on all REGULAR priced clothing, footwear, caps , hats & jewelry!
Cost: Free (limited to purchases)
Goose Ridge Winery
Contact: Taylor Mason - 509-551-1021 or Taylorm@gooseridge.com
Date: May 11 & 12. Limited times available
Tour Goose Ridge Winery in Richland, Washington. Follow the grapes from the field to the bottle. Tour their storage facility, vineyard and orchard and learn how wine is made.
Cost: Free
B Reactor National Monument (This fills up fast, you must schedule in advance)
Website: manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov to learn more and schedule a tour. If you have
more than 20 people you can arrange a special tour by submitting a request at BReactor@rl.gov or calling 509-376-1647
Date: May 10-13. (Plan 4 hours for this tour)
The B Reactor National Historic Landmark is the world's first full-scale plutonium production reactor and part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Park Service. Sign up for a tour and learn more about the people, events, science, and engineering that led to the creation of the atomic bombs that helped bring an end to World War II. Learn more about the world-changing history, science and engineering behind the Manhattan Project and B Reactor, as well as the history of Native American and early settler populations at the Hanford Site, with videos produced by the B Reactor Museum Association and the Atomic Heritage Foundation.
Cost: Free
Columbia Basin College - Agriculture Program
Contact: cbcoutreach@columbiabasin.edu or 509-543-1452
Date: May 11, 12
Tour Columbia Basin College’s Agriculture Department. See their facilities and learn about the degree programs offered. Learn about cost, scholarships available, housing, campus culture and more.
Cost: Free
Columbia Basin College - Welding Program
Contact: Chris Mitchell @ 509-948-1573
Date: May 11, 12 (mornings only)
Tour Columbia Basin College’s Welding Department. See their facilities and learn about the degree programs offered. Learn about cost, scholarships available, housing, campus culture and more.
Cost: Free
Reach Museum
Contact: Pauline Schafer - 509-943-4100 ext 113 or Katie Colleran - 509-943-4100 ext 105 Date: May 11-13
"At the REACH learning center, there are many ways to explore and learn about our surrounding area. Self-guided tours through our featured galleries and rotating exhibits inside, to the amazing outdoor area with a garden of local plant species, to sculptures designed by local artists and FFA members that embrace our cultural environment, and especially the amazing view of the majestic Columbia River."
Cost: Adults - $10, Youth $6
Country Mercantile - Event - Pasco festival
Contact: Nikki - 509-851-8813 or 509-545-2192
Date: May 13th, all day
Shop the store, hay rides, petting zoo, etc
Cost: Unknown
Country Mercantile - Tour- Pasco
They also have a Kennewick location you can visit, but no tours offered. Very close to Goose Ridge winery if you are taking that tour.
Contact: Max - 509-366-4902 or 509-545-2192
Date: May 11th -12th limited times
Tour their large shop with Local fruit and vegetables, homemade candies, soups, sauces, breads, crafts, etc. They also have an ice cream parlor, and deli shop.
Cost: Free (Limited to purchases)
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: 509-546-8352
Date: May 11th-13th
Tour the visitor center and hike the trails
Cost: Free
Beaver Bark Nursery
Contact: Jackie Bobbett - 509-946-1000, or office@beaverbark.com
Date: May 11th-13th
Tour the nursery and greenhouses and learn how they grow plants from starts to the end product. Learn how the started their business and how they have grown into one of the largest nurseries in the Tri-Cities.
Cost: Free (limited to purchases)
Douglas Fruit
Contact: Dave Douglas - 509-521-6209 or david@douglasfruit.com
Date: May 11th-12th. Limited times available.
Tour the orchard, packing sheds, and storage units. Learn about the fruit is managed during the different seasons and the equipment used for the various stages of growth.
Cost: Free
Middleton Farms - Event
Contact: 509-547-5668 visit middletonfarms.com, Festivals, Attractions
Date: May 13, 4-9pm
Come to the Asparagus festival at Middleton Farms. They have a ton of activities including live music, field tours, potato cannons, and much more. Visit middletonfarms.com for more information and to order tickets
Cost: $15 per person
Middleton Farms - Tour (coming Soon)
Contact: Hayley Middleton - hayley@middletonfarms.com or 509-521-7355
Date: May 11 at 10am only
Take a hay ride through the fields and learn about how a farm diversifies its income through the use of Argi-Entertainment.
Cost: free
Coulee Flats Dairy - VERY LIMITED
Contact: Stephanie - 509-873-9013
Date: May 12 at 10:00am can take 20 people only
Tour the newly installed rotary system dairy and learn about dairy management from the cows to the milk that is produced.
Cost: Free
Other places that might provide tours (not yet confirmed)
Tyson Foods - Iliana Solo - 509-543-4216
McNary Dam - 509-527-7020
Gauntt Farms - 509-582-3222
WSU Prosser Research Center - jamie.meek@wsu.edu or 509-786-9231 Clyde Bybee FarmsLLC - 509-788-1690
Muster Brothers Auctioneering - 1-509-416-6060
Lamb Weston - Nate.Pedronan@lambweston.com