For Immediate Release | Sept. 9, 2025
Press contact: Department of Strategic Impact | 616-738-4852

Support farmland preservation and enjoy bite-sized dishes
at Farms are the Tapas, Ottawa County's annual chefs' competition and silent auction

It's September, and the fields and orchards of West Michigan are brimming with a variety of fresh produce. Come share in this abundance Sept. 25 at Farms are the Tapas, a chefs' competition and silent auction to raise funds and awareness for Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program.

Set at the Red Shed & Byre 53 event center and real working Centennial farm outside Hudsonville, Tapas brings the community together to celebrate this region's farming heritage and ensure its continued success. Guests enjoy unique tapas dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients, vote on their favorite, and have a chance to bid on a variety of auction items – all for $50 per ticket.

Farms are the Tapas 2025 is brimming with competitors – chefs from a record seven local establishments are vying for the coveted Harvest Knife Award, including: The Farmhouse of Zeeland, Holy Smokers BBQ, The Unicorn Tavern, Public restaurant, Coast Out, Pita on the Pier, and the Beard & the Gal.

To better familiarize the public with Tapas competitors and build excitement, County communications staff created a series of short video 'reels' that are being shared on social media all month ahead of the event. In these clips, competitors share their experiences and why they support farmland preservation.

 "Each chef brings their own unique background and skillset to the competition," said Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Analyst and event organizer Julie Lamer. "With Farms are the Tapas now in its ninth year, we felt it was time to hear from the chefs who have been so vital to its success."

Check out interviews with each Chefs' Competition hopeful on Ottawa County's social media accounts and/or YouTube channel.

A record 172 people flocked to the Red Shed the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 for Ottawa County's eighth-annual Farms are the Tapas fundraising event and silent auction.

Slew of Silent Auction Items to Virtually Bid on - from Anywhere

Although the top-notch small plates may steal the show, the silent auction offers a unique variety of farm-raised food items, gifts, and experiences donated by local farms, businesses and area nonprofits in the name of farmland preservation.

Entries include perennial favorites such as farm-raised food packages, golf outings, and a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan, as well as new additions, like a custom rain barrel hand-painted by Outdoor Discovery Center staff and a family membership to Zeeland Recreation fitness and sports center.

All proceeds go toward farmland preservation efforts in Ottawa County. However, you don't need to buy a ticket to participate in the fundraiser. Anyone can bid in the virtual silent auction simply by signing up online at Event.Gives/Tapas2025. Bidding for the auction opens the weekend before the event – watch MiOttawa.org/Farmland or the County's social media pages as the event gets closer.

 For more information, contact Julie Lamer at (616) 836-5795, [email protected], or reach out to any of the Agricultural Preservation Board members.

About Ottawa County's Farmland Preservation Program