The Palouse

The rolling hills of the Palouse grow the nation’s richest crops of wheat, barley, lentils and chick peas and is a photographers paradise. Travel to the top of Steptoe Butte his viewpoint makes the fields look like a big patchwork quilt and gives an insight to the variety of crops grown here. Along the way, learn about former Indian battle fields here, the man for whom this Butte is named, and the battle waged in 1858 to secure safe passage for new settlers. Travel to the top of Steptoe Butte. Learn about Cashup Davis who built a hotel atop Steptoe Butte. Next, is lunch at Washington State University. The food service here is the only University in the US where locally produced products make up the basic elements of their meals. After lunch, meet with the Agricultural Department staff at WSU for presentation and hands-on learning about wheat production and cross-pollination in the Palouse. Next, visit Ferdinand’s Creamery to see how Cougar Gold Cheese is made, taste and compare a curd to the finished product then have a scoop of their delicious ice cream. On the way back to Spokane, visit a local farm and hear the in-depth procedures for growing wheat.

Time: 8 hours.