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Food Processing ideas shared at "Local Food Roundtable" |
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Written by Carolyn Goodwin
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Thursday, 19 January 2012 19:13 |
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A group of local farmers, ranchers, food professionals and government representatives gathered at the Bainbridge Island Grange Hall on January 5 for the third in a series of Local Food Roundtables. The focus of this session was on Processing, the second element of the local food system.
Opening remarks:
Charlotte Garrido, Kitsap County Commissioner, spoke to the group about food-related priorities and initiatives in Kitsap County.
* According to Charlotte, less than 1% of the food consumed in Kitsap County is sourced locally.
* In difficult financial times, one way to save money is to pay attention to the energy costs related to food.
* The County is working on several initiatives to support local food production and distribution, and reduce energy use in agriculture:
o The Kitsap Food Chain, created under the direction of the County Commissioners in 2010, brings together farmers and food-related businesses, consumers, non-profits and local government to help build a sustainable food system in the County.
o The agriculture component of the Comprehensive Plan is being updated to codify the County's goals relating to food, based on recommendations from the Food Chain group.
o Shannon Harkness from WSU and the Food Chain said that the Comp Plan updates have the flexibility to respond to new priorities.
o The Food Chain received a grant to write a Farmland Preservation Plan.
o Another grant will help reduce agriculture's carbon footprint in the County (and was used in part to purchase a no-till drill).
o Garrido stressed that input from the food community was needed to help the county Commissioners "push the envelope." "We can create a healthier way of thinking about food locally," she said.
* Energy Audits: The County has funding to do energy audits of food producers, processors, composters and distributors.
o The County will complete 10 such audits
o The County and PSE will then subsidize upgrades and purchase equipment recommended in the audits.
* No-Till Drill: Another initiative to reduce the environmental and carbon impact of agriculture is the County's acquisition of a no-till drill, which reduces soil erosion and fuel consumption.
o The County will rent the drill to producers, and train them how to use it.
o Interested producers should call the County WSU Extension office for details.
Cottage Food Law
Carolyn Goodwin of Sound Food did a brief update on the status of the Cottage Food Law, which will allow small producers to sell food made in their home kitchens. The new legislation is currently going through the Rules process at the Dept. of Ag.
* Draft rules should be available in January
* Public hearings will be held in early spring
* Applications and kitchen inspections will begin shortly afterward
* The goal is that the law will go into effect prior to the start of the summer Farmers Markets.
* Those interested in becoming Cottage Food producers should write to
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to be added to the list for updates.
* More information on the new law and updates about status can be accessed on the Washington State Cottage Food Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-State-Cottage-Food/212823708752853
Group Discussion
The group was asked to discuss the obstacles and opportunities facing farmers on Bainbridge Island and in the rest of Kitsap County related to food processing.
* Allowed uses: Marilyn Holt (Abundantly Green Farm and Kitsap Food Chain) said that one example of new policies needed was to clarify whether producers can do processing and warehousing on their farm properties.
* Dairy: Also needed are large-scale milk processing facilities for cheese making.
o There are currently 5 dairies in Kitsap: Port Madison and Hansville (goat) and Hillcrest, Blackjack Valley and Fernwood (cow) |
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Farm Business Planning Course starts January 19 |
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Written by Carolyn Goodwin
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Tuesday, 03 January 2012 19:20 |
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Kitsap County Extension will be offering its popular Ag Entrepreneurship Course on starting and sustaining a profitable small farm or agricultural enterprise beginning January 19th. Community members are invited to sign up for this intensive, hands-on learning opportunity. The course features a full line-up of local guest speakers: bankers, accountants, attorneys, and successful farm owners.
Participants will gain skills in business planning, direct marketing and record-keeping. They'll also receive information on federal and state programs targeted to the needs of small producers, including resources to improve risk management and conservation practices.
The course is designed for both beginning farmers as well as current growers who are looking to take their farm in a new direction. Guest lecturers for the courses are regional growers who are models of sustainable agriculture in their farming and marketing practices. Participants will complete the course having developed a business plan they can take to the bank to finance their new enterprise or use as a roadmap for their farm business.
The Ag Entrepreneurship course costs $250, including materials. The cost to community members has been reduced due to a USDA grant and partial scholarships and Continuing Education Units are available. The course will be held Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 pm in Room 406 of the Norm Dicks Government Center located at 345 6th Street in Bremerton. To register for the Ag Entrepreneurship Course or for more information contact Arno Bergstrom at 360-337-7225,
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or Diane Fish at 360-337-7026,
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. Registration information can also be viewed on the web at: http://county.wsu.edu/kitsap/.
Next on the calendar is the West Sound Small Farms Expo, scheduled for February 11 on the Olympic College campus. |
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What's New
Local Food Roundtable, BI Winter Market moves to Eagle Harbor Church
- The second of a series of Local Food Roundtables was November 3 at the Bainbridge Island Grange. Read more here.
- The Bainbridge Farmers' Market will move to its winter venue at Eagle Harbor Church beginning Saturday November 19.
Sound Food's Quick Start Guide to Eating Locally
Check out our handy guide full of information about where to find local produce, eggs, dairy and meat!
What we're reading
Eat Where You Live by Lou Bendrick
 Finally--a fresh, funny and positive approach to eating locally!
By now you know that everyone is eating locally and sustainable and maybe you want to do it too--to reduce your carbon footprint or just to ensure the freshest, healthiest food for yourself and your family.
Whatever the case may be, this easy-to-read, hilarious and informative national guidebook will help you find it, cook it, and enjoy it.
Archive of "What we're reading"
Highlighted events
Spring Garden Amendments and Seed Saving Exchange
Wednesday May 13th, 8 pm at Real Foods Cafe, Bainbridge Island. Learn how to test your soil and how to add the right amendments to revitalize your garden for spring planting. After this short presentation and Q&A, we’ll have a community seed exchange: bring your own saved seeds to trade with others. We’ll also sell packets of Fedco’s heirloom and selected open-pollinated seeds to encourage community seedsaving. Please email to give us an idea of how many will attend - thank you - Contact: Chuck@BiosDesign.us
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