The Rebeginning

It is my hope, that over time, I can share the history of the Carnation Farm and some pieces of the company that relate to the farm. I would hope that anyone reading this add what information that they may have to this rambling blog. I will attempt to answer or research what questions may come from the internet. I begin this blog with the press release that announced the reacquisition of Carnation Farm back to the family which created this place. After 15 years in the hands of Nestle and Camp Kory, the farm had come full circle.

Carnation, WA (PRWEB) March 14, 2010 -- Third-generation descendants of Carnation Milk Company (established in 1899) founder Elbridge Amos (E.A.) Stuart have purchased Carnation Farm from Camp Korey, leasing the 818-acre property back to the camp for a nominal amount.

The Elbridge and Debra Stuart Family Foundation completed the sale on Wednesday, cementing a lasting partnership with Camp Korey. The Stuart family has been active in the management, preservation and historical stewardship of Carnation Farm since its beginning in 1908. Nestle acquired the property in 1985 with the purchase of the Carnation Company, and sold it to Camp Korey in 2008.

Camp Korey will continue to operate and grow at Carnation Farm, offering seven weeklong camp sessions and a variety of programs in 2010 to children with serious and life-threatening illnesses. Without a mortgage obligation, Camp Korey can focus its resources on mission-based programs and expanding its camper capacity. The Stuart family can preserve the legacy of Carnation Farm, and join Camp Korey in celebrating its value to the local community. Elbridge Stuart III along with his aunt, Ann Stuart Lucas, the granddaughter of E.A. Stuart, currently sits on the Camp Korey Board of Directors.

Elbridge (Bridge) Stuart III is the great-grandson of Carnation Founder E.A. Stuart. He comments, “Carnation Farm has been embedded in our family’s history for more than a hundred years now. Re-acquiring it lets us support the good work of Camp Korey—and preserve a part of King County and Washington State history—while honoring our connection to the property. It is all of us working together for a single purpose.”