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HomeMy WebLinkAbout073125 - 🌸 WSU Agriculture Newsletter - July 31_ 2025ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. Events, Farmer Resources, Job Opportunities and more View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/wsu/wsu-agriculture-newsletter-17594085?e=bae7ffec58> July 31, 2025 <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/e9dec2c6-a793-8f98-ec76-7d9e577f4300.png> Agriculture Newsletter The latest workshops, resources, news, job and networking opportunities for farmers and the agriculture community in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties. <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/d7708057-12c2-4819-8000-0de32f8d2f4d.png> Regional Small Farms Program Website <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=af75673949&e=bae7ffec58> In This Edition: * In the News * WSU Workshops & Events * Community Events & Classes * Resources (funding, farmer support, food safety) * Land, Farm & Equipment Listings * Job & Internship Opportunities IN THE NEWS New! Jefferson Land Trust’s “Selling Conserved Farmland and Advancing Viability” Guidebook Now Available Authors: Blaise Sullivan and Kellie Henwood <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=cdc0f3131d&e=bae7ffec58> Developed by Jefferson Land Trust and the Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative (with great support from Washington State University Extension Regional Small Farms Program), we are to share with you their very recently completed guidebook, Selling Conserved Farmland and Advancing Viability: A Practical Guide to the Final Stage of Buy-Protect-Sell Projects <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=0a9686cbc1&e=bae7ffec58> . This guidebook draws on nearly a decade of hands-on experience where innovative farmland transfers have balanced conservation goals with equitable land access and long-term farm viability. Download the Guidebook: saveland.org/buy-protect-sell-guidebook <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=a2d61320af&e=bae7ffec58> Key Features of the Guidebook Include: * Step-by-step process for conducting transparent, values-based farmer selection * Sample RFPs, evaluation tools, and an affordability covenant * Key takeaways and lessons learned from real BPS and farm transfer projects- * Strategies for embedding equity, access, and long-term viability into every stage of the process Learn more at www.saveland.org <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=33b87932df&e=bae7ffec58> or www.jeffersonlandworks.org <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/t rack/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=7b2138392b&e=bae7ffec58> New! From Bees to Beer, Buckwheat is a Climate-Solution Crop Farmers and researchers are working together to expand organic buckwheat production in the Northwest and drive demand for this nutritious, ecologically beneficial seed. Read more <https://wsu.us19.li st-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=6b940be308&e=bae7ffec58> . WSU WORKSHOPS & EVENTS <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/98bea72c-495b-41a4-94c0-48510b7b49cf.jpg> View all WSU events! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=43dde53c1a&e=bae7ffec58> WSU Extension 2025 Cultivating Success Courses Explore Your Farm Dreams This workshop is designed to help you explore the development of a small farm enterprise and create a plan of action for achieving your small farm dream! Interested in starting a small farm? Wonder what it would take, and if you’re ready? Whether you’re in the planning stages or have just begun, this 3-hour virtual intensive class will help you determine what options are available for you, network with others and learn what it takes to begin and sustain a small-scale farming business. Monday, August 18th 6-9pm Location: Virtual, statewide with Spanish interpretation Cost: $15 Scholarships available to anyone for whom the class fee is a barrier. Course Registration <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=b7efc6635b&e=bae7ffec58> Whole Farm Planning  This fall course will cover a broad range of topics including production and markets for today’s small farm! Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you’ll learn what it takes to create, sustain, and grow a viable small farm.  Sept. 22nd through Nov. 3rd, Mondays from 6-8pm Online course through Zoom with regional in-person opportunities $200 registration per farm (up to 3 participants). Scholarships available for anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier. Course Registration <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=9de6df091f&e=bae7ffec58> New! Advanced Farm Labor Topics Part 2: Employee Retention & Farm Culture August 11 @ 11:15 am - 1:15 pm Free! Via Zoom. Pre-registration is required; click here to access registration <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=e8db5bd1ad&e=bae7ffec58> . <https://wsu.us19.lis t-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=429283e956&e=bae7ffec58> ***Please note this will be a live class and the webinar will NOT be recorded for later viewing. This webinar will be an interactive learning environment, so please plan to attend the entire time and be prepared to engage.*** <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=e888e3d607&e=bae7ffec58> This webinar is ideal for farmers, farm managers, and anyone responsible for building and leading a farm crew, particularly for those at the beginning of hiring and managing crew (3-5 years or under). What makes someone stick around season after season? If you’re ready to build a workplace where employees feel valued, invested, and excited to grow, this session is for you. Join longtime farmer and coach Ellen Polishuk for a lively, honest conversation about what it really takes to retain great people and create a farm culture that thrives. Let's talk trust, leadership, and the kind of work environment that makes people say, I want to be part of this. In this class, we will: * Explore how to delegate authority and share decision making * Reimagine compensation to meet real employee needs * Workshop creative benefits and career development ideas * Discuss pathways to ownership and leadership * Practice communication strategies that build trust * Reflect on what it takes to create a truly positive farm culture Guest Speaker Info Ellen Polishuk, Plant for Profit Seth Hunt, North Olympic Development Council About Ellen: Ellen was one of three owners of Potomac Vegetable Farms in Northern Virginia where she grew Ecoganic produce for 7 farmers markets, a 550 member CSA and two roadsides stands. She now conducts her consulting through her firm Plant to Profit. Ellen is a co-author of the book Start Your Farm. She wrote the farmer to farmer profile column for Growing For Market magazine. She lives in suburban Maryland, where she gardens like crazy. This program is funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Developments Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. New! Living on the Land Workshops: Preserve the Harvest - Intro to Canning August 20 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration is required to attend this online class: register here. <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=9687a7df7e&e=bae7ffec58> <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=256371fa04&e=bae7ffec58> Join WSU Regional Small Farms for Preserve the Harvest: Intro to Canning. WSU Food Safety and Preservation instructor Jennifer Bryan-Goforth will teach techniques and explain the items needed to preserve foods in your home. This class covers the information needed to take advantage of our amazing local produce and reduce waste in your kitchen. Learn the fundamentals of safe home canning and how to preserve food with confidence. This online class will cover: * The differences between water bath and pressure canning, including which foods require each method and why. * Essential terminology of canning and food preservation * Necessary equipment * How to find reliable, tested recipes to ensure safe and successful preservation. Notes: No equipment is necessary to take the class and registration is free. A recording of this class will only be sent to attendees for personal reference and review; it won’t be posted online for later viewing. Living on the Land Workshops are for people living on small acreage, backyard growers, and anyone interested in connecting with their local food systems. WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Kellie Henwood (121 Oak Bay Rd, Port Hadlock WA / kellie.henwood@wsu.edu / 360-379-5610 ext. 201) at least two weeks prior to the event. COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSES Save the Date! Kitsap Farm Tour Sunday, 8/10 from 10am - 4pm See full event description <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=6f907458f8&e=bae7ffec58> . Save the Date! Jefferson County Farm Tour Saturday and Sunday, 9/13 and 9/14 from 10am - 4pm See full event description <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=d181a1ad6e&e=bae7ffec58> . New! Organic Seed Alliance and Lunaseed Farm Flower Field Day August 20, 2025 5:15-8:30 pm FinnRiver Farm and Cider 124 Center Rd, Chimacum, WA 98325 Cost: Field Walk: Free Dinner: $35.00. Scholarships available or bring your own dinner Registration required: seedalliance.org/events <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=1a88b4c3e0&e=bae7ffec58> Visit the Organic Seed Alliance Research Farm and Lunaseed Farm <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=72327f68aa&e=bae7ffec58> in Chimacum, Washington for an introduction to organic seed production and processing with a special focus on flower seed. This field day offers participants an opportunity for a deep dive into flower seed production practices and opportunities. The tour will also include a seed cleaning demonstration. This workshop is for organic curious, transition to organic, and organic farmers, farmworkers, seed producers, and cut flower producers. This event is made possible by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. Questions: susana@seedalliance.org <mailto:susana@seedalliance.org> RESOURCES Funding & Business New! North Olympic Peninsula Value-Added Production Survey We've listened to farmers and entrepreneurs over the past few years express desires for better value-added production opportunities and we know MANY things have changed since COVID-19 disruptions. Share your voice! The North Olympic Development Council (NODC) and the Clallam and Jefferson County WSU Extension offices are working to better understand current availability and need for commercial kitchen facilities for value-added farm and food products. If you farm, own a commercial kitchen facility, or produce value-added farm or food products in Clallam or Jefferson Counties, your voice matters to us! Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey by August 11th, 2025. TAKE SURVEY HERE <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=1c1405cc56&e=bae7ffec58> NOW WHAT? The results of this survey will be presented at two community meetings – one in Clallam and one in Jefferson – and act as a starting point for a conversation about what farmers and value-added producers need to support their value-added business. All responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. The results will be presented in aggregate. This program is funded in part by an award from USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grant program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. New! WSDA Green Handbook Survey Request <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=72dd684441&e=bae7ffec58> The WSDA Regional Markets Program is updating the Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms, and we want your input! Many of you are familiar with this resource – some of you have contributed to previous editions and others use it in your work with farmers and food businesses. As someone with expertise in many of the topics in the handbook, your feedback and suggestions for improvement are particularly valuable. You can access the (recently restructured) handbook online <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=7193152661&e=bae7ffec58> if you don’t have a hard copy handy. Please note that this is a new link to the handbook, so please update this in your website bookmarks and wherever else you may link to this resource. To complete the survey, please fill out this short questionnaire <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=8b5b27f808&e=bae7ffec58> . You may also email Micha Ide at micha.ide@agr.wa.gov <mailto:micha.ide@agr.wa.gov> with your comments or questions. Farmer Support and Information New! Farm Plastic Waste Reduction Fact Sheet Developed by Zero Waste Washington, this fact sheet was developed to highlight the findings from farm pilot projects around Puget Sound that tackle the issue of agricultural plastic waste in Washington. Learn more and read fact sheet here <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=4c15d3f91a&e=bae7ffec58> . New! FARMpreneur Strategic Sprint Washington Applications are open July 1 – August 31, 2025. Apply through the link here. <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=19e877f71e&e=bae7ffec58> The FARMpreneurs Strategic Sprint is a week-long, in-person executive education boot camp for community-based farmers. They guide participants through a demanding and innovative curriculum developed from decades of experience designing and delivering food systems entrepreneurship courses in leading MBA programs. Peninsula Farmers - Olympic Cougar Project Seeking Participating Farms for Livestock Pen Study We want to know which fence designs and other tools are effective in keeping livestock safe in cougar habitat, and relatively cheap to implement. With your help, we can inform state wildlife managers, politicians, and everyday people about how best to protect their animals and coexist with large carnivores in rural landscapes. Learn more at panthera.org <https://wsu.us19.list-m anage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=c5f0545625&e=bae7ffec58> or contact Matt Mahan at mmahan@panthera.org <mailto:mmahan@panthera.org> or 360.774.2825 Apply for Scholarship <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=6a51148f4c&e=bae7ffec58> Food Safety No info at this time LAND, FARM & EQUIPMENT LISTINGS Find - Sell - Lease Farmland Washington Farmland Trust Farm to Farmer Program aims to support landowners in the farm transfer process while helping create land opportunities that allow local producers to succeed in farming. The Farm to Farmer website allows participants to post listings about their land or farm business interests in Washington State. Browse listings or list your land here <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=35650a1dc3&e=bae7ffec58> . Want to include your listing in this newsletter? Email Kellie a link to your listing or attach a pdf, to kellie.henwood@wsu.edu. JOB & INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES New! Marketing Coordinator, Jefferson County Farmers Market See full job description <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=3a24d5e28e&e=bae7ffec58> . Want to include your job listing in this newsletter? Email Kellie a link to your listing or attach a pdf, to kellie.henwood@wsu.edu. You made it to the bottom! We strive to include as many newsletter requests to the best of our ability. Please email us <mailto:kellie.henwood@wsu.edu?subject=Newsletter%20request> with questions or inclusion requests. WSU Regional Small Farms Team Kellie Henwood, Jess Sappington, Clea Rome, Amit Sharma, Laurel Moulton, Clare Menard, Sallie Constant, Sammi Grieger WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact your local WSU Extension office at least two weeks prior to the event. <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=50475ea9b6&e=bae7ffec58> <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=6eea855f3d&e=bae7ffec58> <mailto:kellie.henwood@wsu.edu> <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=5729d48475&e=bae7ffec58> Copyright © 2025 WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program, All rights reserved. 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