This editorial was published in the Yakima Herald-Republic.

———

In the mid-20th century, some clever artists began experimenting with a distinctive style of painting that produced mind-bending optical illusions.

Optical art, as it came to be known, relied on precise lines to create the impression of movement, swelling, flashing — maybe even hidden objects.

It was all about shifting perceptions. Seeing things from a different angle.

In more recent times, some creative thinkers around central Washington have applied some of the same techniques to promoting the region.

When they look at Yakima County’s 2,952 farms, they don’t just see agriculture operations that grow fruits, vegetables and grains. They see tourist attractions that could yield wagonloads of money.

They see opportunities for out-of-towners to hike, ride horses or snowshoe through rural farmlands — or take educational tours, play in corn mazes, go on hayrides, pick their own fresh produce.

At some local wineries, guests can enjoy fine dining, concerts or other events, such as weddings. At a few places, they can even stomp on grapes, if they’re so inclined.

Presenters at last week’s State of Washington Tourism Conference at the Yakima Convention and Event Center outlined a colorful palette of ideas for promoting the region through agricultural experiences.

And Sherry Rupert, CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, added one more:

“It’s a prime time for Indigenous tourism because people are wanting to travel again,” Rupert said. “You can’t experience this nation without experiencing the First Peoples of this nation.”

By all accounts, tourism is slowly recovering after three years of pandemic-induced pain. So yes, this is a prime time for local tourism to regain its footing and resume contributing to the Yakima Valley economy.

In a county with more farms than any other county in Washington, we have greater potential than most to take advantage of our surroundings. Continuing to see farms as resources capable of more than agricultural production alone is a promising way to nurture clean, healthy economic development.

Synching those efforts with Indigenous tourism opportunities seems like a natural step.

At the same time, with Yakima County officials promising to revisit calls for loosening zoning rules for agritourism businesses, it’s important to plan for the long term. Encouraging and sustaining agritourism can’t mean compromising the very environment that makes this area attractive to visitors.

We live in a special land that’s yielded abundant crops for generations. It’s a blank canvas for innovators and creative thinkers. And the imaginative ideas just keep coming.

It’s like optical art — it’s all about how you look at it.

TNS