More than 33,000 farms call Washington home, nestled in mountain valleys, sprawled across rolling hills, tucked into pockets of land between cities, sprinkled hither and thither on Puget Sound islands.

With the sun finally shining and markets bursting with fresh produce, the time is ripe to visit a farm, ranch, orchard or dairy, sample the abundance and learn more about where your food grows. Some offer scheduled tours. With an appointment, others will show you around the barnyard and fields (dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes).

Many offer farm stands or shops during the summer months, an ideal way to supplement camping meals, a picnic lunch or a road trip with fruit, fresh sausage, preserves, salad greens and more.

Here's a sampling of interesting spots along popular vacation routes as well as a handful within an hour's drive of Seattle. For more ideas, ask at your neighborhood farmers market, call your local Slow Food group or visit Puget Sound Fresh at www.pugetsoundfresh.org for profiles of these and other farms.

Within an hour of Seattle

21 Acres Farm (13701 N.E. 171st St., Woodinville, 206-442-2061, www.21acres.org): This nonprofit farm is home to livestock, acres of produce destined for local farmers markets, more than 80 community growing plots, walking trails and fields used to demonstrate sustainable and organic farming practices. The farm hosts a tour at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of the month through October. The Aug. 2 tour will include presentations from Sammamish Valley 4-H groups. Call ahead to schedule tours other days.