farm listening session with congresswoman delbene, washington

Join us for a Farm-Based Listening Session with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene!
Saturday, April 13th, 10 AM – 12:30 PM Local Roots Farm, Duvall

Share your thoughts on the Farm Bill and other federal policy issues that affect Washington farmers with our new House Agriculture Committee member, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. Join us as we show the Congresswoman around a successful, working, direct-market farm in her district and talk about key issues. Not familiar with policy issues and want to join us anyway? Don’t worry – the event will start with a briefing on key issues!

Agenda:
10:00 AM: Policy issue briefing and walk-through
11:00 AM: Congresswoman DelBene arrives, tour 12:00 PM: Question and answer period See this information on our policy blog

For more information or to RSVP, contact Ariana Taylor-Stanley: ariana@tilthproducers.org [mailto:ariana@tilthproducers.org], 206.660.8958 This event is a collaboration between Tilth Producers of Washington, the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group, and the Washington Young Farmers Coalition. Funding is provided by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Please support our work on the Tilth 2013 Policy platform.

farmhand job on diversified farm on orcas island, WA

Job opening at Coffelt Farm !

The farmhand is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day tasks of caring for the farm.  S/he works closely with the Farm Manager and Garden manager.  This is an 8 month position. Contact James @ jamesmost@gmail.com if interested.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Helping care for all livestock, including, sheep, chickens, beef, dairy cows, and hogs.
• Assisting with harvest of livestock.
• Helping to maintain facilities, equipment and tools.
• Participating in on-site educational activities.
• Participating in garden and orchard care.
• Participating in marketing of farm products via farm stand and/or Farmer’s Market, CSA’s and restaurants.
• Assisting with routine care of apiary.
• Keeping a written daily log of activities.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Farm-related work experience.
• Strong commitment to the mission of CFS
• Positive attitude and willingness to work cooperatively and take direction.
• Self-motivated, ability to perform physical labor in all types of weather.

COMPENSATION

• Stipend  $450/month
• Basic housing (trailer)
• Produce, milk and eggs and some meals

washington women in ag conference

February 23, 2013

Women in Agriculture

A conference to learn, network and share your knowledge about farming.

The 2013 Women in Agriculture Conference will broadcast engaging speakers to several locations throughout the state. This localized format of the conference is designed so women producers can benefit from a statewide conference while still meeting their on-farm duties at home.

restaurant farming gig, lummi island, washington

Farm Manager at Willows Restaurant and Inn on Lummi Island, WA

The Willows Restaurant and Inn is looking for a farm manager to oversee and direct intensive vegetable production for three Lummi Island restaurants. The farm is located on the West Shore of Lummi Island, well sited for sun, consists of high production raised beds and greenhouses. Farm Manager is independent and self-directed but must work closely with the chef and management staff to develop and implement an annual farm plan. The plan includes budget, record keeping, planting dates, crop varieties, succession planning. Additionally expectations are to manage and direct other farm help and kitchen staff in the harvest and distribution of produce.

Qualifications/Knowledge needed:

holistic management with allen savory

Young farmers in the area – scholarships are available! email contact@savoryinstitute.com

Holistic Management Keynote and Workshop Presented by Allan Savory of the Savory Institute
9 November 2012, Town Hall Seattle, Seattle, WA

Are you ready to change the world?

Whether you take the big picture view or work as an individual from the bottom up, a holistic approach to decision-making in business and in your personal life can help change both the global world and your world.

Keynote
Eating our Way to Healthy Planet: Can how we eat help reduce climate change?

Agriculture and livestock production are often named as major contributors to climate change and other environmental problems such as poor air quality, polluted water supplies and degraded land. There is truth in these accusations, but the blame needs to be focused on the way that the food is being produced; not the food itself. This realization can help consumers make decisions about buying and eating food that actually sustains our environment instead of hurting it.

Allan Savory will talk about how a holistic approach to food production can bring the land back to life, increasing the amount of carbon being sequestered in the soil. Allan will also discuss how consumer behavior can create market pulls that will result in large-scale changes in how food is produced, which in turn can greatly reduce the impacts of climate change. These decisions can make a difference in the health of our planet and the people who live on it.

Registration caps at 300 attendees

  Register Now

more information HERE

reminder: washington young farmers mixer

That’s right, the Washington Young Farmers Coalition is doing it again, and this year, we’re teaming up with Viva Farms and Happy Little Farm to present you with a better-than-ever, not-to-be-missed night of potluck and revelry, spit-roast and dancing with the Tuckborough Stringband, farm jokes and celebration. Help us wrap up the 2012 growing season in high farm style!

Monday, October 8th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Happy Little Farm
18385 Torset Road, Conway, WA 98273 (Skagit County)

What to bring: friends, a potluck dish to share, your dancing shoes, and a tent if you plan to stay overnight.

3rd annual washington young farmers mixer!

The Washington Young Farmers Coalitionis ever-so-pleased to announce:

Its 3rd Annual Washington Young Farmers Mixer!

That’s right, the Washington Young Farmers Coalition is doing it again, and this year, we’re teaming up with Viva Farms and Happy Little Farm to present you with a better-than-ever, not-to-be-missed night of potluck and revelry, spit-roast and dancing with the Tuckborough Stringband, farm jokes and celebration.

Put it on your calendar now, and plan to help us wrap up the 2012 growing season in high farm style!

Monday, October 8th, 2012
5:00 PM
Happy Little Farm
18385 Torset Road
Conway, WA 98273 (Skagit County)

What to bring: friends, a potluck dish to share, your dancing shoes, and a tent if you plan to stay overnight.

vineyard and home for sale, oroville, washington

Custom three level home, tasting cabin, and vineyards on 4 1/2 acres. Ten yr old Vines (Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Cab Franc. Production 6 to 8 tons.

Three bay garage with two converted into wine storage. All equipment included (2 tractors, mowers, vineyard sprayer, weed sprayer, fertilizer spreader, and more including older Ford PU and trailers, (3) 1000 litre Stainless Tanks, (3) 500 litre Stainless Tanks, 20 American Oak Barrels. Owners are retiring.   For more information: http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/reo/3201066348.html

the organic mechanic

super idea!

The Organic Mechanic – 2012 Tour

Organic farmers in the western United States:

I am currently traveling and visiting organic farms in Washington State, Oregon, and California.

At each farm, I would prefer to stay between three (3) and ten (10) days. It is preferable if you are on-site and available to spend time with me to learn about maintaining your equipment.

I am familiar with the following machines:

• Farm tractors: Ford, John Deere, Case, International, Kubota, Massey-Ferguson, New Holland, Montana, Allied Tractor.
• Small farm machines: lawnmowers, chainsaws, weed whackers, roll/soil tillers, small generators, power steamers, water pumps.

Farmers should prepare the following in advance of my arrival:

• Oil (engine, transmission, hydraulic);
• Antifreeze;

americorps positions at viva farms

AmeriCorps Farm-to-Community Fellows
Viva Farms and Grow Food will be hosting three AmeriCorps positions starting September 16^th , 2012 and running through July, 2013. The positions start soon so please send initial application materials ASAP. We are seeking three highly motivated and passionate individuals to fill the following positions: Production Fellow, Post-Harvest Fellow and Community Outreach and Engagement Fellow (which includes helping manage GrowFood.org). These positions are 10.5 months long but can often renew for an additional year. Come join our fun, fast-paced and effective team!

Full Description and Application Instructions (PDF)  
Viva Farms/Growing WA General Application 

there are a few other positions as well: http://www.vivafarms.org/p/jobs.html

 

seeking organic farmer in washington state

via Tilth Producers

Michelle Coda owns a 23 acre piece of property in the Upper Skagit River Valley in Washington State and would like to have someone live on the property and farm it organically. It is a beautiful location with 900 feet of river-front, views of Sauk Mountain, and Mount Baker, with flat, sandy loam soil. Three and a half acres bordering the Skagit River are in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and planted in native trees and shrubs. Approximately seven acres are wooded and two other acres are covered in buildings and roadways. That leaves about ten acres available for farming. Fruit and nut trees were planted in the spring of 2009 and there are a few older, producing fruit trees.

This is intended to be an opportunity for someone who would like to have their own small farm business. I would like to see an organic farming operation that produces mixed vegetables, fruit, and meat and be as self sustaining as possible.

There is a small, one bedroom, newly built home available on the property for your use.

If this lifestyle interests you and you would like further information please contact Michelle at 360-853-8549 or eaglesoaring808 at yahoo.com

 

news from farmstead meatsmith

Upcoming classes:

Primitive Goat Harvest
This week-long workshop is the uncompromising embodiment of responsibility.  As we take life from two goats, we confidently assume the task before us: to use every ounce.  Kfir of Two Wolves will walk us through how our ancestors, who could not indulge in the luxury of waste, brain-tanned hides and harvested everything that could not be made into food.  For the rest, Farmstead Meatsmith will transform blood into sausage, and digestive tracts into hearty meals to keep us going.  We are rapidly approaching the class: August 28th-September 1st.

Click here to purchase your spot; call 206.463.MEAT(6328) with questions

Camano Island Pig Harvest Class
On September 8th, we will slaughter, scald, scrape and eviscerate two pigs.  Our emphasis will be the total harvest, from catching the blood to cleaning the intestines for casings.  This is hands-on.  Class attendance is capped at two, so expect this one to fill up quickly.

The next day, the 9th, we will artfully break down the carcasses using antique cleavers and sharp knives.  This butchery class is limited to four students, and working with four sides, we will optimize hands-on education.

Both classes will start early and run all day.

Call us to reserve a spot or buy your tickets HERE.
206.463.MEAT(6328)

Whidbey Island Pig Harvest Classes
We will take three days of classes to properly transform two pigs into winter stores: October 18th, 19th and 20th.
Thursday 18th: Hands-on class imparting traditional slaughter, scalding, scraping and eviscerating methods.
Friday 19th: You butcher two pigs with antique (aka truly functional) cutlery to maximize harvest and eliminate waste.
Saturday 20th: We will focus on American cures – bacon and ham.  Learn to cure with salt rubs and brines without adding nitrates.

To sign-up, call us at 206.463.MEAT(6328)
Or, purchase your tickets HERE

want to run a goat dairy? washington

Organic Farm Business for Lease
Sunny Pine Farm in Twisp, WA is an organic goat dairy milking 50-55 goats.  There is an established market for cheese and yogurt.  This is a great business opportunity for the right couple.  Goat dairy management experience is required.
Please send resume to info@sunnypinefarm.com

action alert – canola in washington state

via Adaptive Seeds:

We here at Adaptive Seeds are not big on sending out mass e-mails, but have made an exception today: There is an immediate threat to our food supplybecause the Oregon Department of Agriculture has fast-tracked the approval of canola production here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

As many of you may know the Willamette Valley is one of the top 5 places in the world for growing and supplying specialty seed and maintaining seed diversity. Seed grown here not only is sold by local Oregon companies, such as Adaptive Seeds, but is also bought by other seed companies such as Johnny’s, Fedco, and lots of others both nationally and internationally. Basically, seed grown here supplies the world with food.

One of the specialty seeds that the Valley is perfect for is brassicas, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, rutabaga, turnip, radish, kale, cabbage, etc. Canola is also a brassica but spreads rampantly and cross pollinates with a lot of other brassicas with detrimental effects. Oregon State University has conducted research proving that canola will cross pollinate with many different crops including turnips, broccoli raab, some kales, rutabaga, and possibly radish and broccoli. Meaning the presence of canola production in the Willamette Valley will definitely contaminate and destroy those other seed crops. Without doubt. 

farmwalk at doubletree farm, washington

HORSE POWER FEATURED AT DOUBLETREE FARM WALK

Twisp, WA - The fifth farm walk of the Tilth Producers and Washington State University Small Farms Program annual series will take place at Doubletree Farm on Monday, July 9th. Between 12:30 and 4, farmers Sam Thrasher and Paul Soodak will showcase their horse-powered farm.

Doubletree Farm is a four-year-old, small-scale diversified family farm that relies on draft horses for plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting. Farmers Sam Thrasher and Paul Soodak produce vegetables, beef and pork, as well as hay and grains for the family milk cow and their flock of laying hens. Most of their farm products are sold directly to customers at the Twisp farmers market and through a small winter CSA, with some product going to wholesale markets, local stores and bakeries. Come see how Sam and Paul have developed an integrated, community-based farm utilizing horse power, livestock, manures, cover crops and crop rotations.

“The goals of the Farm Walk Program are to have farmers teach their acquired skills to other farmers, future farmers, or consumers; to bring growers and researchers together to discuss current organic farming research; and to provide input into the development of research agendas,” says Doug Collins of the WSU Small Farms Program, and co-chair of the Farm Walk planning committee.