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Grow Your Own
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One of the best ways to expand our locally-grown diets is to "grow our own," and the popularity of pea patches, community gardens and home-grown vegetables is on the rise. Learn about what's working -- and not working -- in gardens around our area, and share your tips and thoughts by posting comments or contributing an article at
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Washington's Cottage Food Act goes live! |
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Written by Carolyn Goodwin
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Thursday, 07 June 2012 06:23 |
Update 6/19: The complete application packet for Food Cottage Operators is now available online at http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/CottageFoodOperation/ !
Small food producers in Washington State are now able to sell food processed in their approved home kitchens, thanks to the Cottage Food Act passed in May of last year. The long-awaited rules have finally been approved and went into effect beginning June 24. 
The new law legalizes the sale of low-risk foods made in the home, allowing potentially hundreds of new small businesses into farmers markets and other direct-sales venues.
Up to this point, all foods intended for sale to the public were produced in licensed commercial kitchens. This requirement was seen as a barrier to some small businesses, especially in areas where commercial kitchens were not available for rent.
Since the law was passed, 250 home-based businesses have expressed interest in applying for a Cottage Foods license. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) estimates that more than 1,000 Washington businesses may eventually apply for the license. "The interest in this new license has been astounding," said WSDA's Kirk Robinson, assistant director for food safety and consumer services.
There are limitations to what can be produced under the new law. Annual gross sales can not exceed $15,000. And allowed products are limited to those defined as "low-risk." A more detailed list is in the official Rules document, but the broad outlines include:
(1) Baked goods cooked in an oven.
(2) Standardized jams, jellies, preserves and fruit butters.
(3) Dry herbs, seasoning and mixtures that are obtained from approved sources (e.g., dry bean soup mixes, dry teas and coffees, spice seasonings, etc.).
(4) Vinegar and flavored vinegars.
There's a new online handbook that that outlines what you'll need to do before you apply for your Cottage Food Operator |
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Read more...
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Garbage Dreams: Earthworms on Earth Day! |
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Written by Sallie Maron
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Thursday, 12 April 2012 10:44 |
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Cinnamon Harrington has a dream, and it involves your garbage. She wants to eliminate food waste, and she has the worms to do it! Her business, Chaeta Conversion, is located at the Suyematsu property on Day Road where she has been putting worms to work turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. Your first opportunity to buy this garden gold will be
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Cinnamon Harrington with a
wheelbarrow full of rich, black "Worm Dirt." |
at the Earth Day celebration at Town and Country Market on Saturday, April 21st.
If you can get your hands on some of this local vermicompost, you'll find that it has a number of benefits for your garden. According to Cinnamon, "worm dirt" has higher levels of plant-available nutrients than conventional compost, and the microorganisms in the vermicompost help plants absorb these nutrients. Plus it's concentrated, so you only need to apply small amounts to make a difference in soil quality and plant growth.
Launching her business on Earth Day is a bonus for Cinnamon who, twenty years ago, knew her dream job would center on some kind of recycling effort. For a number of years, she worked at the Harbour Pub, and took home food scraps to share with her neighbor's chickens.
Her work experience and interest in recycling coupled with her concern about wasted food became the inspiration for Chaeta Conversion. With the dream firmly in hand, she rented a small area at Day Road from Island farmer, Akio Suyematsu. Her strong focus on a waste-free business led her to search out used equipment and recycled containers for collection and distribution. Once everything was in place, she brought in the worms to begin their digestive work. The worms consume the waste material, and as a natural process turn it into "castings." Watching Cinnamon hand-sift the castings and fill a bucket with the beautiful black "worm dirt" is a sight any gardener would appreciate!
By diverting a local waste stream into a safe and gentle soil amendment, Cinnamon's Chaeta Conversion is playing an important role in growing a healthy local food system. As an avid recycler, she'd love to see more composting and "every last scrap of food be used and not go into a landfill". Her dream, her worms, and your compost!
Beginning May 12th, you can find Chaeta Conversion on Saturdays at the Bainbridge Farmers Market, or you can contact Cinnamon at
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or 206-948-7185. |
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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 |
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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Skagit Valley College to offer course in Sustainable Farming and Ranching |
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Written by Admin
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Sunday, 18 September 2011 17:48 |
WSU Skagit County Extension and Viva Farms have partnered with Skagit Valley College to deliver the Sustainable Farming and Ranching course in Mount Vernon, WA. This year, the course may be taken to earn college credits towards Skagit Valley College's new Sustainable Agriculture Microcertificate.
Participants will also be given priority for a plot at Viva Farms, a 33 acre farm incubator where new farmers can get established.
Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching is a 12-week bilingual (English/Spanish) course developed by Washington State University and delivered by WSU Skagit County Extension and Viva Farms. The course guides new and prospective farmers through the process of starting or transforming a farm operation.
The course starts Wed., Sept. 21, 2011 and is held the next 11 Wednesdays, 6-9pm until Dec 7.
Topics include:
Sustainable crop production
Ecological soil management
Integrated pest & weed management
Sustainable livestock & poultry systems
Facilities and equipment
Direct marketing strategies
Cost: $250 per farm family. For college credit, you must enroll in Skagit Valley College. Contact us for more info if you're interested.
More details about course content at www.CultivatingSuccess.org
To register email your name, address and phone to: i
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Questions? Call Sarita @ 360-707-3223 / 206-914-7948
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Find Your Dream Coop at "Tour de Coop" July 16 |
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Written by Ryan Nickum
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Thursday, 07 July 2011 13:45 |
It's that time of year again -- time for the third-annual Bainbridge Island Tour de Coop. The self-guided tour features nine specially-selected Bainbridge Island chicken coops and will take place on Saturday, July 16, from 11 am - 4 pm.
The event showcases a variety of coops, birds, and styles, the perfect way for guests to draw inspiration for their own future chicken coop operation. Whether modern or traditional, simple or deluxe, this tour provides attendees plenty of design ideas, answers to questions, and a great afternoon.
Featured coops include:
Coop de Ville, Sin Gallo-The Little and Lewis Coop, The Cluck Hut, Fig House, Coopacabana, Saxon Cottage, Lost Egg Blue, and more. Tickets are available for sale beginning Saturday, July 9 at Bay Hay and Feed, and Classic Cycle.
All proceeds benefit Helpline House, ticket prices are as follows:
$8 - Individuals traveling by bicycle
$10 - Individual traveling by auto
$30 - Four people traveling by carpool
You can follow news about this popular annual event on Facebook. |
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