Port of Bellingham set to acquire Boxx Berry Farm property

FERNDALE, Wash. — The Boxx family announced today, Friday, May 16, 2025, that they are in the process of selling their 58.8-acre Boxx Berry Farm property in the 6200 block of Northwest Drive in Ferndale. According to recent Whatcom County meeting minutes, the Port of Bellingham is the proposed purchaser. They expect to close the $3.4 million deal about October 1, 2025.

… we are able to finally announce that we are currently in the process of selling our farm. We are excited for the next chapter of life and that means retirement for Mike!
Please note that we are operating as normal this summer with berries, flowers and corn.
Strawberries are on track to be ready around the first of June! Watch our social media and website for up-to-date information on our 2025 season.
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We hope to see you all for one last memory to be made at Boxx Berry Farm. Thank you for your support over the past 65 years. We couldn’t have done what we do without all of you!
– Boxx Berry Farm (May 16, 2025)

According to draft minutes of the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment (EDI) Board meeting held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Economic Development Director for the Port of Bellingham, presented an application for a planned “Whatcom Agricultural Research Station” to be located on the property.

The Port received a $741,080 Washington State Department of Commerce grant in 2023 to go toward the purchase. They recently requested a $1.967 million grant and a $933 thousand loan funding from EDI. The loan would be over 20 years at 1% interest. The Boxx family reserves the right to buy back 4.71 acres within 3 years.

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The property includes a 2,450sf WSDA-permitted processing facility and additional storage
buildings.

Henry Bierlink (Washington Red Raspberry Commission) (Attending in Support of the Project, also a member of the Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee) explained that the station would provide critical space for raspberry breeding programs, noting that 95% of the state’s raspberries are grown within 50 miles of Lynden. He emphasized that good genetics are one of the key competitive advantages for local growers, and the facility would consolidate research plots that are currently scattered across various farms.
– Whatcom County Economic Development Investment (EDI) Board draft meeting minutes (May 8, 2025)

The purchase and sales agreement have a 60-day feasibility period ending June 15, 2025.