In the summer of 2012, South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust, an Olympia-based nonprofit, offered Kirsop Farm a partnership in a land preservation deal that would give them long-term land security. Barricklow and Bradwin signed on. The deal went through the following year.
Excerpt from “Scatter Creek Farm and Conservancy, A South Sound nonprofit preserves farmland in perpetuity†published in "edible SEATTLE" by Olympian Jennifer Crain.
You can read the rest of this wonderful new article published in "edible SEATTLE" by clicking here.
A very BIG THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust through this year’s GiveBIG event!
Thanks to your generous support, donations are up from last year to over $2600. The Puget Sound community as a whole was so generous in their support of a number of nonprofits that we collectively crashed the website handling donations – wow!
Stay tuned for our final tally from this year’s GiveBIG, as we’re still waiting for the “match amount†from the Seattle Foundation. Thank you for supporting farmland preservation and helping all of us keep local food local!
Missed the fun? Not to worry, we accept contributions throughout the year at this magic link: Donate Here.
Are you a Potluck and Party Planner?
Are you the one always planning parties? Outings? Innings? Movie nights? Potlucks? If you’re reading this you probably also care about keeping farmland as farmland, so keep reading and find out how you can combine your skills with the movement for farmland preservation!
SSCFLT’s Dinner and Silent Auction, Farms Forever, gives all of us a chance to revel in the glory of locally produced food prepared by amazing local chefs at the end of a glorious Pacific Northwest summer. (And yes, the hyperbole is well deserved.) The planning for this year’s Farms Forever is well underway, and we need your help to make it the best ever.
What? We do it all, but you don’t have to! We focus on everything from decorations, to publicity, food donations, the flow of the event, and finding items for our silent auction. We may also help at the event with set-up and take-down, auction, registration and/or check out.
When?
We meet every 4-6 weeks with meetings becoming more frequent as we get closer to the event on October 8, 2016
Why? You know why - to help preserve local farmland!
The Silent Auction has a special place in our hearts and at the Farms Forever dinner. It’s a chance to bid on – and maybe even win – experiences ranging from a cider pressing party to a beach house getaway to a tarot reading. Have a special skill, talent or item (that cabin in the Olympics maybe?) that you would love to share while helping to preserve farmland?Let us know by contacting our Event Coordinator Jeanine Toth at Jeanine@communityfarmlandtrust.org.
Farmers Markets Are Springing Up All Over the Sound!
After the Wettest Winter Ever (just ask the National Weather Service), this spring and summer-to-be are being welcomed with a higher than usual level of enthusiasm. (Not, mind you, that we're complaining about the rain...)
While there are many ways to celebrate our longer spring and summer days in the South Sound, there are few so pleasing to all the senses than a good farmers market. Click here to find your local farmers market.
Events & Opportunities
New USDA Program Provides Low-Interest Loans for Commodities Storage
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent facilities to store commodities. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables. Eligible facility types include grain bins, hay barns and facilities for cold storage.
Since its inception in May 2000, more than 33,000 loans have been issued for on-farm storage, increasing storage capacity by 900 million bushels.
The King County Conservation District sponsors a variety of workshops to promote sustainable uses of natural resources through responsible stewardship.
You can register for either or both of the following workshops in any of the three following ways: click on kingcd.eventbrite.com; call (425) 282-1949 or email signup@kingcd.org.
Beneficial Bugs on the Farm: Attracting Native Insects to Control Pests Friday, June 3rd
9 am – 4:30 pm
Green River College
Enumclaw Campus
Farming for Native Pollinators: Creating a Place for Native Bees and Bugs Saturday June 4th
9 am – 4:30 pm
21 Acres Farm
Woodinville Composting Workshop with Soil Scientist & Composting Guru Andy Bary
Learn about benefits and how-tos of composting, timing of use, appropriate application, and good management for water quality protection – and how to get the manure you need for free!
Saturday, June 18th
10 am – 1 pm
Shelton, WA (Details with registration)
Sponsored by the Mason County Conservation District Thurston and Lewis County Farmers – This One’s for You
Washington State University Extension and partner organizations would like to hear from Thurston and Lewis County farmers about agricultural issues, research, workshops and projects that interest or concern you. Please join them for a listening session in or near your community. Results of these sessions will guide regional WSU Extension programming, and create opportunities for collaborative, county-wide and cross-county agricultural projects.
This is a great opportunity is for local producers to help agricultural service organizations better assist you and advocate for your needs!
There are three sessions being held in the South Puget Sound area - please find a session below and sign up today!
