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Sandy Point Beach House chefs (from left) Emma Erickson, Tony Garcia, and Executive Chef Sergio Garcia proudly pose with the Harvest Knife after winning the Farms are the Tapas Chef's Competition on Thursday, Sept. 29, at The Red Shed & Byre 53 event center near Hudsonville. [Photos by Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]
Sandy Point Beach House wins 2022 Farms are the Tapas Chefs' Competition
Annual farmland preservation fundraiser draws more than 100 to new venue The Red Shed
HUDSONVILLE -- On the postcard-perfect evening of Thursday, September 29, 103 people gathered to celebrate local agriculture and raise money for farmland preservation at Ottawa County's sixth-annual Farms are the Tapas fundraising dinner and silent auction.
This year's event was at a new venue - the Red Shed & Byre 53 event center on the site of a working centennial farm near Hudsonville.
"The Red Shed was perfect for Tapas," said Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Analyst and event organizer Julie Lamer. "The historic barn venue added charm and depth to the event."
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 The winning dish was Dutch pork belly tapas with beets, pickled lotus, and microgreens served over a parsnip puree from Sandy Point Beach House.
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"All of our competing restaurants put forth fantastic dishes. These creative chefs elevate the possibilities of Ottawa County products."
Becky Huttenga, Economic Development coordinator for Ottawa County, who oversees the Farmland Preservation Program
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This year, three new restaurants - Holy Smokers BBQ of Holland; The Beard and Gal of Holland; and Sandy Point Beach House of Port Sheldon - joined Tapas veterans The Farmhouse of Zeeland and Field & Fire Bakery and Cafe of Grand Rapids to compete in Farms are the Tapas' signature event - the chefs' competition.
With an eye on the Harvest Knife Award, area chefs again incorporated locally produced ingredients to make tapas-style dishes uniquely their own, including: a unique pulled pork spaghetti from The Farmhouse of Zeeland; "Brisket Smokestack" - cornbread topped with chopped brisket, coleslaw and house sweet sauce from Holy Smokers BBQ of Holland; vegan "crab cake" with Lion's Mane Mushroom, tomatillo and corn salsa, tomato "caviar", microgreens, and vegan tartar sauce from Field & Fire Bakery and Cafe; spelt crackers (a type of wheat) topped with cheddar, lamb terrine, sweet pepper and apple mustard slaw from The Beard and the Gal of Holland; and Dutch pork belly tapas with beets, pickled lotus, and microgreens served over a parsnip puree from Sandy Point Beach House.
Once the event started, attendees quickly reached for the small plate creations, and there were few leftovers. Competition was fierce, but ultimately Tapas newcomer Sandy Point Beach House won the day.
 More than 100 showed their support for Ottawa County farmland preservation at Farms are the Tapas on Thursday, Sept. 29, at The Red Shed & Byre 53 near Hudsonville.
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"All of our competing restaurants put forth fantastic dishes," said Becky Huttenga, Economic Development coordinator for Ottawa County, who oversees the Farmland Preservation Program. "These creative chefs elevate the possibilities of Ottawa County products."
Along with new competing restaurants, sponsors shared a slew of new and unique packages in the silent auction. A total of 19 different items were available for bidding. Experiences such as a guided kayak trip up the Macatawa River, membership to the Outdoor Discovery Center, and Day Trip to John Ball Zoo joined perennial favorites such as the sunset cruise and beef, breakfast, and grilling packages from local farmers. All together, the silent auction pulled in a record $3,302.
"It's exciting to see our sponsorships and silent auction continue to expand with a range of items at various price points," said Lamer. "We are so grateful to have such strong support for Tapas from area businesses and nonprofits."
Including auction items, sponsor support, and ticket sales, $19,455 was raised for the Farmland Preservation Program.
Ottawa County Agriculture Preservation Board Chair Matt Fenske (right) discusses the program with Clifford Meeuwsen (center), chairman of Zeeland Farm Services, an event sponsor; and Ottawa County Economic Development Coordinator Becky Huttenga, during Farms are the Tapas 2022.
Farms are the Tapas isn't just a fundraiser - it’s also about advocacy. Building off of the previous year's video of preserved farmers, County staff developed a short documentary - "What Farmland Means to Us", and premiered it during the event. Staff interviewed a handful of area stakeholders, including the voices of local government, businesses, nonprofts, and farmers themselves to tell in their own words what Ottawa County farmland means to them.
"It's one thing to read articles and see announcements for government programs," said Rich C. Lakeberg, Department of Strategic Impact staff member. "But hearing the message directly from supporters and farmers themselves adds depth to the narrative. We are incredibly grateful for the willingness of these folks to speak frankly about local agriculture and the program."
To watch the full video, click on the previous link, or visit MiOttawa.org/Farmland, and scroll down to "Events & More."
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About the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program
With area farmers producing more than $506 million in products annually, Ottawa County is an agricultural powerhouse. Ottawa is also the fastest growing county in the state and has a low unemployment rate. But this positive growth comes at a cost to agriculture: according to the most recent Ag Census, Ottawa County lost 8% of its farmed acreage and 17% of its farms. Ottawa County's Farmland Preservation Program seeks to protect this vital industry and slow the loss of farms and farmland through programmatic efforts, including the Purchase of Development Rights Program.
Funded through a combination of private donations and state and federal grants, the PDR program preserves farmland through the purchase and donation of development rights for actively farmed property. This voluntary program allows participating landowners to receive compensation for the development potential of their land, yet still retain ownership and other rights associated with it through a permanent easement.
To learn more about the County's preservation efforts, visit MiOttawa.org/Farmland.
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