HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORKSHOP re Regional Small Farms JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
FROM: Kelli Henwood, WSU Jefferson Small Farms Coordinator
DATE: June 26, 2023
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP re: 2023 Overview and Update of Regional Small Farms
Program Activity to include Food Access Programs
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Kellie Henwood,the WSU Jefferson County Small Farms Coordinator would like to make a presentation to
the Commissioners that showcases the ongoing work of the Washington State University Extension
Regional Small Farms Program and its positive impact to the agricultural community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no current budget impacts or requests at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Commissioners will hear an update on the Regional Small Farms Programs and provide questions and
comments as needed.
REVIEWED BY:
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Mark McCauley C unty Administrator DafV
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Regional Small Farms
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WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
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REGIONAL ISSUE
SMALL FARMS The WSU Regional Small Farms program serves Clallam,Jefferson and Kitsap Counties and
PROGRAM strives to support a thriving food and farming sector in our region.Comparing past data,
2022 there is a trend in the number of farms increasing in our region while the size of those
farms has continued to decrease. In
2017,there was a reported 698 farms in
BY THE NUMBERS Kitsap County with the average farm size The increase in the
• A total of 115 farmers provided being 13 acres.In Clallam County,there number of farms in our
technical assistance was a reported 528 farms with an region has created a need
average size of 33 acres,and in Jefferson for more small farm
• 10 total Class/Educational offerings
County a reported 221 farms with an education, technical
in 2022(5 virtual events,1 ten-week
average of 62 acres. assistance, experiential
Cultivating Success course and 4 in
opportunities, and
person farm walks)
The increase in the number of farms in
resources for our area
• A total of 160 attendees accessed our region has created a need for more
online and in person classes small farm education,technical farmers.
assistance,experiential opportunities,
QUOTES
and resources for our area farmers.In 2022,the program saw an increase in farming
Nice to have an in-person needs to include more pest identification and management assistance as well as the need
Dirt Talk and really be able to for livestock technical assistance.Additionally,it was noted that farmers began to want
see what other farmers are doing and more in person opportunities for learning and networking.
how their crops are responding.Can be
a challenge at times with the online RESPONSE
format"
-Farm Walk Attendee WSU Regional Small Farms has actively been supporting new and beginning farmers needs
as well as strategizing how to continue to provide exceptional programming and services
So glad to have attended.I
across our region.In 2022,Jefferson County was able to continue to support afull-time
appreciated the
regional small farms coordinator for the program.Kitsap County was able to continue to
encouragement tempered with realism
provide a full-time food systems coordinator working with the program.Clallam County
throughout the event,and I'm looking
forward to signing up for more on this was able to continue supporting a part-time integrated pest management specialist to the
topic."
team and secure funding to hire a new livestock specialist that started in early 2022
-Farm Walk Attendee serving the region.
extension.wsu.edu/ Kellie Henwood, Regional Small Farms Coordinator(Jefferson)-kellie.henwood@wsu.edu
Jess Sappington,Food Systems Program Coordinator(Kitsap)-jess.sappington@wsu.edu
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IMPACTS Additional Projects:
In 2022,the Regional Small Farms program was able to continue providing • Provided farmers resources through Small Farms
educational opportunities and resources to small farms in Clallam,Jefferson website and monthly agriculture focused
and Kitsap counties,both virtually and in person.Some highlights from the newsletter.
year include: • Acquired certification and began planning for
Produce Safety Producer Trainings 2023.
• Delivered five online educational events.Topics included:Downy
• Provided farm-to-school technical assistance to
Mildew,Slugs&Snails,Agritourism,and Meet Your Livestock Specialist
partners in Clallam,Jefferson and Kitsap counties.
(2 events).
• Launched new in-person farm walk opportunities called Dirt Talk Farm • Administered Kitsap Farm Mentor Program-
Walks.Facilitated a total of four farmer hosted events connecting supporting 8 farmers through group class offerings.
farmers on topics such as: High Tunnel Production,Low-till for Small • Provided support and technical assistance in food
Farms,Meat Goat Production&Pasture Management,and Collaborative access programming to Farmers Markets&Farm
Farm Enterprises and Land Sharing. Stands.
• Offered regional participation and facilitation for 12-week Cultivating • Supported continued expansion and outreach of
Success Whole Farm Planning course.Farmers were provided instruction, Eat Local First marketing campaign and online farm
resources and networking to build a solid plan for their farming or food directory.
related business. • In conjunction with North Olympic Development
• Engaged a total of 160 farmer participants in Regional Small Farms class Council and the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau
and event offerings across Clallam,Jefferson and Kitsap counties. provided 9 farms and both Clallam farmers markets
• Provided technical assistance to 115 farmers across Clallam,Jefferson with professional photos for use in marketing their
businesses.
and Kitsap counties.Assistance was delivered in person,via phone and
through email.The top inquiries for 2022 included: • Conducted on-farm sweet potato trials with 7
farms across the region.
=> Integrated Pest Management
• Coordinated visit with specialist Dr.Chakradhar
=> Animal Agriculture
Mattupalli and Dr.Lisa DeVetterto tour 3 blueberry
=> Crop Production&Soils farms located in Kitsap and Clallam Counties.
=> Access to Land&Farmland Succession
Farm Business Planning • Acted in an administration,facilitation and/or
�
advisory capacity for multiple community
• Provided additional assistance and partnerships in community events partnerships/groups,including:
such as: => Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative
=> Jefferson Farm Tour => Know Your Cost to Grow Program
=> The Sawtooth Ranch Guided Tour => Kitsap Agritourism Group
=> Two Bears Garden Tour => Kitsap Food Systems Round Table
=> Lavender Connection Essential Oil Extraction => Kitsap Farmland Preservation work group
=> Clallam County Harvest Festival => Clallam AgWorks
=> The Western Meat School => Clallam County Conservation Futures Board
Kellie Henwood,Regional Small Farms Coordinator(Jefferson)-kellie.henwood@wsu.edu I W45NING TON STGTE UNIVERSITY
Jess Sappington, Food Systems Program Coordinator(Kitsap)-jess.sappington@wsu.edu V EXTENSION
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
V EXTENSION
WSU Extension
Regional Small Farms
Program
Program Activity Update
By Kellie Henwood, WSU Regional Small Farms Coordinator
June 26, 2023
Serving Clallam , Jefferson
and Kitsap Counties
WSU Regional Small Farms Program provides research-based information and educational programs
for farmers, consumers, decision-makers, and others involved in local food systems.
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Sweetpotato Variety
Trial
• Find varieties of sweetpotatoes that grow
well in our area
SWEETPOTATO CLASSES 2023
PROPAGATING& PLANTING SWEETPOTATOES • Find wireworm resistant varieties that will
WILD EDGE FARM,PORT ANGELES aid in successful cultivation of
Join farmers Karen and Jim at Wild Edge Farm to see their set up for sweetpotato slip production and sweetpotatoes on organic farms that
• their sweetpotato field.Learn about the Western SAKE sponsored sweetpoato trials that they are
hosting on their farm as well as discuss planting tips and techniques for our cool climate.Participants struggle with wireworm (because there
(! •1 will get hands on experience by helping to plant a row of sweetpotato slips! are virtually no options for organic
SWEETPOTATO CULTIVATION wireworm managment)
DIRT TALK EVENT-ONLINE
Find out what kind of sweetpotatoes local farms are growing and what techniques they have tried.
• • '• The Olympic and Kilsap Peninsulas have a unique maritime climate where sweetpotatoes grow well
but need a little heat boost.Find out about using black plastic mulch,low tunnels and variety •selection. Provide resources and c l a s s e s/works hops
to help local farmers experiment with
SWEETPOTATO FIELD DAY growing sweetpotatoes in a low-risk
NORTHWEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER,MOUNT VERNON manner to see whether sweetpotatoes are
• Visit the sweetpotato trial fields at the W l�u NWRtC to see side by side comparison of commor
commercial varieties,Washington farmer recommended varieties,new wireworm resistant lines and a viable crop.
• unreleased breeding lines from the USDA sweetpotato program that are being assessed for western
WA growing conditions.Samples of each variety will be harvested for viewing and harvest
• equipment will be on display.Results of NW REC trials will be discussed.
• Approximately 25 sites throughout
HARVESTING AND CURING p y g
AROUND THE TABLE FARM.POULSBO Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap Counties (6
r OCT Join Farmers Dana and Aaron Steege-Jackson at Around the Table Farm who have been growing i n Jefferson)
Date TBD sweetpotatoes in Poulsbo for more than Ill years.Learn from their experience and experimentation
• about successful harvesting,curing and storage of sweetpotatoes.View the special curing chambe,
� • they have built.
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Total farms who will receive PPE
V 25+ farms in Jefferson, 20+ farms in Clallam, and 35+ farms in Kitsap
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COLLABORATIVE
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100+ years of farmers. We help farmers find the land
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> businesses, and help landowners sell or
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USDA Farm to School contracting 60 hours of small farms
coordinator time to:
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Farmer Charlotte Frederickson gives teachers a tour of
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Food Access
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