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Did you attend Focus on Farming 7? If so please fill out the survey so we can make next year even better!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PYSMBV6 |
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Snohomish County Growers Alliance
Become a member today!
The SCGA's purpose is to develop, support and preserve the economic vitality of the agricultural industry in Snohomish County.
It is a farmer-led nonprofit whose membership includes farmers, agricultural support agencies, outside industries and citizens who value and recognize the great role of agricultural in our local economy and our food system.
The Snohomish County Growers Alliance is a direct result of Snohomish County Executive Reardon's July 2005 Agricultural Action Plan. As part of this plan, the Snohomish County agricultural community was to establish for itself a support organization. In June 2010, the SCGA was announced and is now seeking charter memberships.
Why Join the Snohomish County Growers Alliance?
1. Being a member of the SCGA means giving a united voice to the farmers of Snohomish County and thus having an impact on the direction of our future in agriculture right here where we live, work and conduct business.
2. It is required if you plan on selling goods at the SCGA market or through the distribution center.
3. Membership will have greater impact on farm policy; we are recognized as the voice of the farmers in Snohomish County.
4. Be in the loop and be informed about all the programs and issues that are important to farmers and that can be helpful for our economic growth.
5. Being a member gives you a vote in the business of this alliance, whether it is setting up the farmers' market or deciding on other actions or pursuits, being a member means you have a say.
The next general membership meeting will be Wednesday, February 16th at 6:60 p.m. at the WSU Snohomish County Extensions office at 600 128th St. SE, Everett, WA 98208-6353.
For more information contact the Growers Alliance at: info@snocogrowers.com.
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FSA Announces Disaster Program Signups
To Mitigate Crop Loss And Damage
Washington farmers and ranchers adversely affected by natural disasters in 2009 can apply for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) starting Monday, January 10, 2011. Eligible producers should apply at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to receive financial relief, .
"SURE is one of five disaster related programs in the FSA portfolio," said Judy Olson, state executive director. "It has been successful in keeping farmers afloat as they deal with the aftermath of damaged yields or plantings."
The SURE program provides benefits for farm losses accrued in 2008 through 2011 due to natural disasters. A producer is eligible for the program when a disaster designation has been made for their county and they have production losses of at least 10 percent, or when actual production is less than half of the normal established production. Producers are eligible for payment when they have with crop insurance or a Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy.
"NAP or crop insurance serve as a prerequisite to receiving SURE payments, so we urge producers to factor that into their planning" Olson said. "The SURE payment is a bonus payment as insurance and NAP coverage doesn't usually cover all losses."
Several groups of producers: socially disadvantaged, beginning farmers or ranchers, and limited resource producers may be eligible without crop insurance or NAP.
There were two disaster designations in Washington for 2009. One dealt with drought conditions and the other was for low temperatures and freezing. The freeze was so severe that unpicked fruit froze on the trees.
Washington FSA paid out more than $56 million in SURE assistance for the 2008 crop year. That year, there were also two disaster designations that covered almost the entire state, with the exception of the coastal counties. This is part of the more than $2 billion paid out nation-wide for 2008. The program is new under the 2008 Farm Bill.
For more information, contact the Farm Service Agency at (425)334-3131. |
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Good Vineyard Care Starts Now
According to the Puget Sound Wine Growers Association, "The cool, maritime influence of the Puget Sound with the long sunlight hours of its northerly location are ideal for growing delicate and aromatic Vinifera grape varieties." While location is a big part of growing quality wine grapes, winemakers know that good wine begins with carefully tended vines.
WSU Snohomish County Extension is pleased to present a workshops on vineyard care. The workshop includes a catered box lunch and take place at The Vineyard at Lee Farms near Silvana, WA. Directions provided with paid registration.
Spring & Summer Vineyard Care
Sat. May 14, 2011; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Good spring and summer vineyard care is crucial to getting a good harvest of high quality wine grapes. Learn the principles of good canopy and crop load management; how to manipulate and/or thin shoots to maximize quality; when to cluster thin; the when and how to of good pest management including powdery mildew and botrytis control which needs to start early, the use of micronutrient sprays to enhance yield and quality. Dress for the weather.
Since 1980, instructor Gary Moulton has worked in the Fruit Horticulture department of the WSU NWREC research station. In 1991, he took over management, direction, and leadership of the Fruit Research program. When the program was eliminated due to budget cuts, Gary decided to continue his viticulture and tree fruit work in western Washington through workshops and consulting. He holds a Master's from WSU in Plant Pathology specializing in fruit diseases, and a Bachelor's in Pomology/Fruit Science from Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo. He has authored several WSU Extension publications and produced a widely regarded video on pruning fruit trees.
The Vineyard at Lee Farms, established in 2004, has carefully tended plantings of Siegerrebe, Pinot 777, Pinot Precoce, Ortega, and Agria. The Vineyard's small size provides complete control over every aspect of winemaking from soil to bottle, allowing the Lee family to create small batches of lovingly handcrafted wines with minimal infrastructure.
Cost for the workshop is $65 per person and includes a catered box lunch. To register online, visit www.BrownPaperTickets.com and enter the event number (Feb 5 is 136786; May 14 is 136802.) You can also download the form at snohomish.wsu.edu/ag/workshops/Viticulture2011.pdf and mail with your check.
For registration information, contact Karie Christensen at 425.357.6039, e-mail klchristen@cahnrs.wsu.edu. Directions will be provided with paid registration. For more information on the workshop, contact Andrew Corbin, corbina@wsu.edu or 425.357.6012.
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Place Your Ad In The Puget Sound Fresh Guide!
Time - and space - are running out. Demand to be listed in this year's Puget Sound Farm Guide has been incredible. Even with 44 pages, but available space is nearly gone. Make sure that your farm, farmers' market or farm venue is represented!
Why list? Simple - there's no other comprehensive, regional publication (and companion website) that provide consumers resources they need (and want) to find and support farms, farmers markets, CSAs, U-Picks, and non-farm businesses that actively support our local agriculture.
Your participation in the Guide also helps support Cascade Harvest Coalition, programs and the advocacy the coalition provides local agriculture. For more information, go to
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e36owt29ghdrt542/a01epgjyqa6nd/greeting.
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Linda Neunzig
Snohomish County Agricultural Coordinator
M/S #411
3000 Rockefeller Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
425-388-7170
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Upcoming Events
Please join us for the upcoming Snohomish County Growers Alliance general membership meeting.
Feel free to bring along others interested in learning more about the market.
When: Wednesday, Febuary 16th
Where: WSU extension office on 128th
Prune Well Now, Harvest More Later
Learn to prune your fruit trees from 'the guy that made the video!'
When: Sat. Feb. 26, 2011;
Where: Ed's Apples in Sultan, 13420 339th Ave SE just off SR 2
Time:10:00am-3:00pm
Whole Foods Market Meat Seminar When: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 Where: Whole Foods Market Seattle 2001 15th Ave W Seattle WA 98119 Time: 8:30 - 5:00
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