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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010325 - WSU Agriculture Newsletter - January 3_ 2025ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. WSU Events, Farmer Resources, Job Opportunities and more View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/wsu/wsu-agriculture-newsletter-17587055?e=bae7ffec58> January 3, 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> go.wsu.edu/regionalsmallfarms <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=c76880c2f5&e=bae7ffec58> In This Edition: * WSU Workshops & Events * Community Events & Classes * Resources (funding, farmer support, food safety) * Land, Farm & Equipment Listings * Job & Internship Opportunities * In the News 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=6618207b44&e=bae7ffec58> <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/ad056550-41b2-eb4e-85ce-774ae3f32cb6.png> New! Grant Writing for Agricultural Producers January 8th, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Free Pre-register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=c8cd34b91d&e=bae7ffec58> Join WSU Regional Small Farms for our next online class: Grant Writing for Agricultural Producers. This class is for farmers, agricultural producers, and agricultural organizations who would like to improve their grant writing skills. It’s specifically for new and beginning farmers who have little to no experience with grant writing, especially when it comes to agricultural-focuse d grants. We will have one grant writing professional presenting, along with a farmer speaker who has experience with applying for and implementing grants in their farm business. Speakers: Diane Fish, Kitsap Conservation District – Diane will speak on grant writing as it pertains to agricultural producers in Washington. She’ll speak on her experiences as both a grant writer and grant reviewer, and share how to write grants clearly and convey importance to farm business. She’ll also go over how producers can adapt to different requirements of grants, such as budgeting or covering expenses until reimbursement. Farmer speaker (TBA) – The farmer will cover their experiences applying for and receiving grant money: what worked, what didn’t work, and what they would’ve done differently <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/901419a7-53cc-ebd9-eef8-5ae22b4df0c5.png> New! Farmstand Design and Operation January 15th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free Pre-register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=90a897caad&e=bae7ffec58> Join WSU Regional Small Farms for an online class focused on Farmstand Design and Operation. This class is ideal for farmers looking to start a farmstand or those who already have one and want to learn from the experiences of other farmers. Clare Menard, a former farmer with extensive experience in managing and expanding farmstands, will lead the class as a representative of WSU Kitsap and Regional Small Farms. Scott Chichester, owner of Chis Farm and a successful farmstand in Sequim, will be the featured farmer speaker. Speakers: Clare Menard, WSU Kitsap Extension New & Beginning Farmer Educator – Clare is a former farmstand operator at two farms. One farm had 90% of their business from their farmstand; the other went from 10% farmstand sales to 25-30% farmstand sales over a 2 season period. Scott Chichester – Owner of Chi’s Farm and operator of a highly successful farmstand in Sequim. Scott will speak on his experiences starting and growing his farmstand business. <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/60bcfb61-5e53-4636-eb8f-e85975a6e749.png> New! Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship January 21st through March 11th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm $200 Pre-register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=0e749e1cb9&e=bae7ffec58> This is an in-depth farm and food business planning course. We will walk you through the necessary steps to create a business plan for an existing farm-based business or a completely new enterprise. Join weekly online classes with a statewide cohort of new and beginning farm businesses, hearing from a full line-up of guest experts and farmer speakers, and engaging in regional groups for more networking and community-based support. Course Topics: * Intro to Business planning and structure * Value proposition: Product and Industry description * How & where to sell: Market Channel Analysis * Customer relations: Marketing and Branding * Business analysis: Key activities, resources * Farm Record Keeping Basics * Financial Management * Enterprise Budgets and Operational Budgeting * Operational risk management * Labor Management & Paid employees With regional in-person opportunities! Registration: https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=e5d1bc6cf7&e=bae7ffec58> <https://mcusercontent.com/360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b/images/59d13618-df37-f341-f98c-e08771f5050d.png> New! Soil Testing and Soil Health January 23rd, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Free Pre-register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=7453bfabf4&e=bae7ffec58> The focus of this class is familiarizing new and beginning farmers with the importance of soil testing. The speaker will be Bryan Custer, farmer-owner of Fat Turnip Farm in Hansville, WA. He will walk farmers through how to take a soil test and how to read the soil test results. The class will then focus on how those test results translate to changes on the farm, such as with soil amendments. This class is designed for new and beginning farmers who are either unfamiliar with soil testing or wish to deepen their understanding of interpreting soil test results and applying soil amendments. Speaker: Bryan Custer Owner of Fat Turnip Farm. Bryan has been farming in Western Washington for many years and uses sustainable practices to improve his soil health. COMMUNITY EVENTS & CLASSES New! Jefferson County Farmers Market Winter Business Class Series Series is FREE! In partnership with EDC Team Jefferson. This workshop series supports the growth and resilience of our unique Jefferson County community of food, farm, and maker businesses. In-person workshops include weekly, drop-in cohort meetings for deep dives on each topic, peer to peer learning, and group coaching. Learn more and register here <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click? u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=c55af0c4df&e=bae7ffec58> . New! Eat Local First Trade Meeting Feb 4th, Bellingham $75-165 (scholarships available) <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=4a02f3f6e2&e=bae7ffec58> Learn more and register! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=58a8bc0db0&e=bae7ffec58> The Eat Local First Trade Meeting is Northwest Washington’s premier food and farming business conference. We bring together 180+ farmers, seafood harvesters, chefs, grocery buyers, food artisans, processors, and distributors for one day filled with valuable networking and connection opportunities, a vibrant expo, one-on-one producer/buyer consultations, inspiring panel discussions, and a delicious, locally-sourced lunch. New! NABC Regional Ag Infrastructure Summit Feb 19th, 9:30am - 4:00pm Free, but registration is required <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=9ae6fb3f1b&e=bae7ffec58> Purpose: Identifying physical food and farm system infrastructure & technical assistance progress and gaps in Western WA. Exploring opportunities for collaboration to address these gaps. Discussion will be focused on grains, meat, and aggregation & distribution (food hubs). We look forward to working with you as we continue to build partnerships to support scaled food and farm systems infrastructure in Western WA. New! Washinton Farmers Market Conference Feb 21-22, Bremerton, WA $225-275 Learn more and register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=015d3ae8a7&e=bae7ffec58> The 2025 Washington Farmers Market Conference welcomes you to learn from farmers market peers, partners, and other professionals to build your operational toolkit, organizational skills, and technical know-how. Most of all, build your community and realize your market goals! This conference is for farmers market organizers — staff, volunteers, board members, vendors, community partners — whether this is your first season or your fifteenth. We welcome everyone working to bring good food and local farms into communities of every size and every corner of the Pacific Northwest. This coming together of experience and energy is just what you need to launch your season with fresh vitality! New! Good Food Connections Feb 24th, Seattle $99-125 (scholarships available <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=c2c18865d7&e=bae7ffec58> ) Learn more and buy tickets! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=b9c8aa1e86&e=bae7ffec58> Presented by Seattle Good Business Network, Good Food Connections unites farmers, fishers, artisans, chefs, buyers, and community food stakeholders around a common table for networking, conversation, education, and good food. Make market connections and strengthen the regional food system serving King County & Puget Sound at this in-person event. We look forward to a day of lively panel discussions and presentations, a catered lunch featuring local producers, a robust trade show and tasting event to introduce buyers to the best of the region, networking opportunities, and more. New! Organic Seed Growers Conference Feb 26 - Mar 1, Corvallis, OR (virtual option available) Varies (scholarships available) <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=1e2dbf4c92&e=bae7ffec58> Learn more and register here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=744db31d1a&e=bae7ffec58> The Organic Seed Growers Conference is a biennial gathering by and for agroecological seed communities in the U.S. and across the world. The event creates spaces where experienced and emerging seed stewards can convene timely conversations, educational training, and strategy sessions. The gathering serves as a conduit for making new connections and catching up with old friends, networking across organic seed communities, sharing knowledge with other participants, and celebrating the growing movement. Organizers curate a conference agenda that reflects the multifaceted needs of seed growers and advocates, no matter the ease or discomfort of the topics. The goal of the Organic Seed Growers Conference is to inspire individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses to take actions that support and improve the integrity of the philosophical and practical systems that make up the organic seed movement and trade. New! Viva Farms Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture, Skagit County, WA April - November 2025 $1,500 (scholarships available) Application deadline: Feb 14 Learn more and apply! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=490b351ba5&e=bae7ffec58> The Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a hands-on, applied course in certified organic production and small farm business management. The Practicum is offered at both of Viva Farms’ locations — in Burlington in Skagit County and in Woodinville in King County. In Skagit County, the Practicum is taught bilingually, offered in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish. (Leer esta página en español aquí. <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=64b8439e95&e=bae7ffec58> ) The Practicum course takes place over 8 months from early April through mid-November, following the farming season. Over the course of the program, participants will apply knowledge and practice techniques of sustainable agricultural production on a certified organic parcel, located at the Viva Farms Skagit County or King County student farms. RESOURCES Funding & Business New! One-time Specialty Crop Payment from USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) Due Jan. 8th! This newly announced program from USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) will provide a one-time payment to producers who grow specialty crops. Eligible crops include: * Fruits (fresh and dried) * Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed) * Tree nuts * Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture * Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices * Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass, and grass seed To apply for this program, you need to indicate your sales totals from eligible crops in either 2023, 2024 (producer’s choice) or estimates for 2025 for new producers. To recap: * APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JAN 8 * YOU NEED TO APPLY WITH YOUR LOCAL FSA OFFICE SO CALL THEM ASAP * PAYMENT AMOUNTS ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN Payment rates will be based on your farm’s revenues, but the payment “factors” haven’t been established yet, and payment amounts will not be known until the application is closed and FSA assesses how many entities applied. The maximum allowable payment for any one organization is $125,000 but it is advised farmers not expect this high of a payment. There is $2 billion in the whole nationwide program, with broad farmer eligibility. Expect the application rate to be high. Your local FSA office is ready to help you! There are several forms you need to complete for this program, but only one is due on January 8th. So even if you don’t have much time before the deadline, at the very least work with them to fill out Form 1140 <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=2f30921ec9&e=bae7ffec58> now, and finish the rest as soon as you can. Please keep in mind with the upcoming holidays there may be staff shortages, so contact FSA as soon as possible to get started. FSA will be prioritizing these applications through the deadline. If you have not worked with USDA and don’t have a farm number yet, tell your local FSA office and they will get you set up with one. >> FIND YOUR LOCAL FSA OFFICE <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=a55f634841&e=bae7ffec58> >> WATCH INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=93e7af47e0&e=bae7ffec58> Questions? If you are unable to connect with your local FSA office for support, please email Kaitlin.davies@usda.gov <mailto:Kaitlin.davies@usda.gov> New! Diverse Markets Business Builder Grant (for grains, pulses, and pseudocereals) Application Deadline: Mar 1st Learn more and apply here! <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=e97d36407c&e=bae7ffec58> The Northwest Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center Diverse Markets for Climate Resilient Agriculture team is offering grants between $3,000 and $50,000 that are designed to build and expand local and regional non-commodity markets for climate resilient grains, pulses, and pseudocereals. Projects and costs related to on-farm production are NOT eligible. Business Builder grants will fund: * market research, branding and marketing materials * business development * post-production infrastructure and processing equipment * value chain coordination across producers, processors, distributors, and buyers In order to be eligible, farms, ranches and non-farm food businesses must be growing, producing, processing and/or supporting the aggregation, distribution and marketing of grain, pulse and/or pseudocereal products within local and regional value chains. Entities must have been in operation for a minimum of two years at the time of application. * Diverse Markets Business Builder Grants – Informational Session 1 – WATCH VIDEO <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=1788b20ffc&e=bae7ffec58> * Diverse Markets Business Builder Grants – Informational Session 2 – Thurs Jan 9th, 4 pm REGISTER <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=8625a9a277&e=bae7ffec5 8> * Diverse Markets Business Builder Grants – Office Hours 1 – Wed Jan 29th, 12 pm REGISTER <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=29d211caf1&e=bae7ffec58> * Diverse Markets Business Builder Grants – Office Hours 2 – Thurs Feb 13th, 3 pm REGISTER <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=d5b8587257&e=bae7ffec58> Farmer Support and Information County Comprehensive Plan Updates Comp plan updates are underway for our region and it's incredibly vital for farmers to provide input to support the ag sector. Comprehensive Plan includes a 20-year blueprint for local policies, planning and capital facility investment and it is required by Washington State's Growth Management Act (GMA) to be updated periodically. Find info for each county: Clallam <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=8c5f8bcfe9&e=bae7ffec58> | Jefferson <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id =0053e37db5&e=bae7ffec58> | Kitsap <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=86f9d46eae&e=bae7ffec58> Conservation District Native Plant Sales Clallam <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=2ad70a72a5&e=bae7ffec58> : must be pre-ordered by January 17, 2025 Food Safety New! Bird Flu Resources As many of you may have noticed, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) aka the “Bird Flu” is back in the headlines with recent detections in dairy cattle and swine in addition to poultry with a couple instances right here (Franklin, Okanogan, and Stevens counties). The WSDA Animal Health team <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=ed44e 5b504&e=bae7ffec58> continues to work hard to keep you and your livestock safe and I just wanted to share some of their key resources in case you might have missed them! * For basic questions like “how to protect my chickens?” and “is our food still safe?” check out: Bird Flu FAQ Sheet <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=1fe 18f11d3&e=bae7ffec58> * For in-depth updates visit the WSDA Avian Flu website here <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=9d2f98a205&e=bae7ffec58> and check out this handy map <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=2f476acf3c&e=bae7ffec58> of outbreaks. 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=d883762f53&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! Seasonal Farm Crew, both part-time and full-time positions, Chimalow Produce, Chimacum See full job descriptions <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=52a4a0356f&e=bae7ffec58> . 2025 Field and Market Crew, Red Dog Farm, Chimacum See full job descriptions <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=2533df9ca2&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. IN THE NEWS New! WSDA, USDA announce eradication of northern giant hornet from the United States Read more <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=011cf8c9e3&e=bae7ffec58> . 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 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=b172d62ad8&e=bae7ffec58> <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=a043aaf2e2&e=bae7ffec58> <mailto:kellie.henwood@wsu.edu> <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=4bfcecf617&e=bae7ffec58> Copyright © 2025 WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program, All rights reserved. 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