Submitted by the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.

Most of us who live here start as visitors but then are captivated by the islands’ magic, inspired to create an island life. This series of columns will help put faces to small businesses – restaurateurs, innkeepers, shopkeepers, artists, tour captains and other entrepreneurs who make our communities so unique and vibrant.

Emma Rastatter and Wiley Webb wanted to cultivate a large, diversified farm, orchard and forest, a place where they could welcome people to gather, retreat and return to themselves, and also call it home! It’s a lot to ask from one site, but they found the 42 acres on San Juan Island that they call Saturn’s Return. Starting the farm and inn took significant business planning, fundraising and tenacity, but they wanted to start planting trees and stewarding a farm and inn now, instead of waiting until they had “made it” or retired. It was a hard first year without a team — cleaning, cooking, furnishing and planting. But now, by year three, they are proud to be in a financially sustainable position, grateful to their cleaning team and farm interns, with an inn that looks and operates better than ever: refurnished and repainted with very happy guests returning for their second and even third annual visits.

They love working with visitors because, as Rastatter says, “Guests of all backgrounds show up with a sense of wonder and respect for the natural ecology and farm plants and animals. It’s rewarding to see children run around our campus and enjoy a strawberry in a way they never have before.” One of their favorite things about island life is the joy, meaning and connection that comes from eating 100% locally/regionally. Except for olive oil and almonds, they can source their inn breakfasts from incredible breads, cheeses, natural wines, meats, fish and vegetables, all made organically and lovingly right here by local producers.

How does tourism benefit the islands?

Rastatter stated, “Tourism is the economic engine that enables our islands to have a rich interchange with the outer world as opposed to becoming a stagnant, gated community. Guests of all backgrounds show up with a sense of wonder and respect for our islands’ ecology, farm-centered aesthetic, and local food-centered economy. This powers many young, creative businesses who are also based on a spirit of inclusion, local foods, and love for nature. This further preserves island beauty while making it a more meaningful, dynamic place for our children to grow up. Many tourists return to the mainland more aware that a neighborly way of life, local foods, and healthy ecosystems might actually be possible. We think many make changes to their lives accordingly, albeit slowly, and this produces a better world.”

Rastatter and Webb have planted about 180 fruit trees so far and have learned enough about the land to invest in 300 chestnut trees in 2026. This is all part of a “silvopasture” system where sheep graze between trees, which is particularly regenerative and beautiful. As their journey unfolds, they have appreciated the “Welcoming neighbors, farmers, and elders on the islands who have generously shared their experiences and learnings to help us get started,” says Rastatter. Such a spirit of community is what makes island life so special.