Mason County, WA – November 13, 2026 – Editor’s Note: Market-Ready Mason interviewed Steve Dysart for this producer spotlight shortly before his passing. We are publishing this piece in his memory to honor his stewardship of the land, his dedication to heirloom agriculture, and his contributions to Mason County’s local food system.
When Steve and Sherri Dysart bought their first two acres in Shelton in the 1980s, they had exactly one neighbor. They added two more acres soon after, creating the four-acre home of Danu’s Garlic Farm. Both forestry graduates of Washington State University, that background showed in how Steve worked the land, where every bed had a purpose and the layout was built for efficiency.
A Crop That Takes Its Time
Garlic planting happens in October, and the harvest comes in July. Steve called garlic a "plant and forget" crop, though his operation grew through steady, intentional effort. What started as a single bed, about an eighth of an acre, expanded into a farm planting a few thousand garlic bulbs each year. His crop featured several varieties, including Elephant Garlic, Music, Russian Red, Klamath, and Inchelium Red.
The work after harvest mattered just as much as the time in the beds. Each July, Steve laid the garlic out on shelves, trimmed the roots and tops, and cleaned off heavy dirt to prevent mold, curing the bulbs carefully until they were ready for market around Labor Day weekend.
An Heirloom with Deep Roots: Inchelium Red
Of all the varieties Steve grew, Inchelium Red carries real history. According to the WSU Colville Reservation Extension, no garlic strain grown in North America has been cultivated longer. Originating from the Colville Reservation community of Inchelium, Washington, it grew there long before settlers arrived.
It stands out in taste, too. Washington State Magazine reported that Inchelium Red earned the top rating in a 1990 softneck garlic taste test at the Rodale Test Kitchen. It shines anywhere garlic takes center stage, such as compound butters, dressings, and sauces, while roasting brings out a gentle sweetness.
Very few commercial growers raise Inchelium Red at scale, making a bulb from Steve’s beds a rare find. Growing it in Shelton brought a vital piece of Washington agricultural heritage directly to local tables.
Steve's Contribution to Mason County Agriculture
Roughly 15 direct-to-consumer buyers purchased garlic from Danu’s Garlic Farm each season, with most customers finding him by word of mouth. Steve relied on sustainable, chemical-free growing methods, and his customers knew his standards from experience.
Danu’s Garlic Farm showed what small-scale agricultural success can look like in Mason County: careful planning, deep respect for the land, and a reliable product that strengthened our local food network. Although Steve was unable to join us at the Food Summit on October 29th, his garlic was featured in several dishes on the menu, bringing the fruits of his labor to the table. Market-Ready Mason is grateful to have met Steve and to have had the opportunity to share his story.
Market-Ready Mason is a USDA-funded program working to strengthen local markets, support producers, and improve food access across Mason County. Learn more about Market-Ready Mason here.
