foodandfarm

Wahkiakum County’s 3rd Annual Ag Summit

Join local food enthusiasts and farmers on Saturday, May 5th to network and hear from agricultural and marketing experts, and learn to tap into expanding markets for organic and locally produced foods.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with keynote speaker Tim Crosby of 21 Acre Farm in Woodinville, Washington.  Crosby was recently featured in the Capital Press emphasizing the value of eating locally produced foods to food security and the economy. "When food is fresh, local and tied to farmers who are benefiting their communities, everyone comes out ahead," he explained.

Morning sessions will also include Gary Burkhalter, a Rosburg dairy farmer, speaking on his family farm’s transition to organic and selling through Organic Valley cooperative.

A representative from the WSDA Organic program will speak in the afternoon on organic certification.  Afternoon sessions also include Mary Embleton, executive director of Cascade Harvest Coalition and Puget Sound Fresh.  She’ll speak on their promotion of Puget Sound farms with the Puget Sound Fresh brand.  Also, we’ll hear from Jennifer Johnson, Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce director, on local efforts to create a regional brand for products grown in the Lower Columbia region.

Lunch is available for a small fee.  Call or e-mail Carrie at the WSU Wahkiakum County Extension office to RSVP: 795-3278 (cakennedy@wsu.edu)

Mark your calendar:
    Saturday, May 5th, 9:30 – 3:30
    River Street Meeting Room, 25 River Street, Cathlamet, WA

Hope to see you there!

(photos are examples of products from members of the Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network, © 2007 kitchenMage)

What is the Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network?

The Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network works with local farmers, WSU Extension Wahkiakum County and conscientious consumers to encourage awareness of Wahkiakum-grown farm products, and to develop relationships between farms and the community. Buying local farm products is a healthier way to feed yourself and your family and helps to preserve our rural way of life.

Formed during the Second Annual Ag Summit in February 2006, the Food and Farm Network has already brought together members of the local farming community and consumers in significant ways. We have restarted the local farmer's market and created a guide to local farms.   

The farmer's market is taking place in conjunction with events in the county to maximie the potential interaction between food producers and consumers. Upcoming farmer's markets include the Grays River Covered Bridge Festival on August 5th and the Wahkiakum County Fair on August 17th-20th. (Farmer's Market press release.)

The Wakhiakum Food and Farm Network guide offers a centralized directory of local farms and food producers, making it easier for customers to locate and purchase fresh, nutritious and healthy products. The first edition of the guide includes a range of farmers with fresh produce, nursery plants, flowers, eggs, and a variety of meats including lamb, goat, turkey, and chicken. For information about future editions of the guide, contact Carrie Kennedy at 360.795.3278.

This site provides a way for local food producers and consumers to come together and discuss a variety of things: what's being harvested this week, upcoming events, interesting news related to food and food production, and so on. Future activities will also be announced here. We invite interested persons to join us (both online and in person) to share their ideas and help the local food community thrive.