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Farm Flash E-News August 2009
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Agricultural Advocacy, Education & Awareness
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Whatcom County's rich farmland has sustained families and communities for thousands of years. Today it is more productive than ever, providing thousands of people around the world with valuable food products.
But farming in Whatcom County provides more than just healthy food. Well managed farms and farmlands means preservation of our rural vistas, our natural resources, and the sense of place we call Whatcom County. As such, all citizens of Whatcom have a stake in leaving a healthy legacy for our children and grandchildren.
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| Current Crop Report
Dairy - Field corn is past the "knee high by the 4th of July" despite the late Spring planting. Most 3rd cutting grass has already been cut and put up in the silage stack. Manure has been applied to fertilize the next crop of grass. Lots of grass has been put into "marshmallows" - big bales wrapped in white plastic for portable silage. More hay has been made this July than in recent years.
Raspberries - Harvest is in winding down. You may still see the pickers straddling the rows of our 8,200 acres of berry fields. Quality has been good and production excellent this season.
Blueberries - Harvesting is now in full swing due to the warm and dry June and July days.
Seed Potatoes - Many fields have already bloomed and digging will begin sometime near the first of August.
Apples - Trees were late to blossom because of the cold spring, but pollination has set what looks like a good crop. Harvest will begin early fall.
Greenhouse/Nursery - The beautiful hanging baskets and bedding plants you see decorating our downtown areas and our homes are growing fast and require lots of water with our warm summer days.
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Upcoming Events
Follow the links to learn more. . .
Ag in Uncertain Times Webinars - June 9, 2009-Dec 16, 2009
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Please Join the Dairy Community
What: For an Interdenominational Prayer Meeting
When: Thursday August 6th, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Where: Sonlight Community Church, 8800 Bender Rd., Lynden, WA 98264
Prayers of Praise & Thanks, Intersession and Hope & Perseverance will be led by local dairymen on behalf of the current industry challenges. Coffee social time to follow.
Questions, call Terry
815-2578
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2009 Food &
Farm Finder
Farm Friends and Sustainable Connections teamed up again this year to produce the Food & Farm Finder guide. This 48 page booklet lists local vendors for farm fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy & eggs, meat & seafood, trees & garden, locally crafted food products, as well as restaurants, caterers, and markets. How can I get a Food & Farm Finder? The Whatcom Food & Farm Finder will be distributed at over 200 local businesses and organizations this year. A few places where you can count on finding them are: Whatcom Public Libraries, Bellingham Whatcom Tourism, Downtown Renaissance Network, Village Books, the Community Food Co-op, the Bellingham Public Market, the Bellingham and Ferndale Farmers Markets, and Chambers of Commerce throughout the county. You can also visit the Farm Friends office at 1796 Front St in Lynden to pick up a copy, or call 360-354-1337 for more locations. Download an 8.5MB printable .pdf version
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Welcome to our Electronic Newsletter!
Whatcom Farm Friends is pround to introduce our first electronic newsletter. You have been included on our initial mailing list because of your past involvement with us. At any time you may use the unsubscribe feature that will be included with every issue.
Past Farm Flash newsletters have been produced for postal mailing. Today we're taking the plunge into the digital age and offering our news via email in order to save money, time and resources and also communicate more regularly with our members and the public. Please share this newsletter with friends and colleagues who are interested in supporting Agriculture in Whatcom County. It's easy to join our mailing list to recieve ongoing news from Farm Friends.
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 Policy Talk with Henry
County Council Votes Unanimously
on Ag Resolution
We are truly turning an important corner in our County's history. Like most other coastal counties farmland has throughout our history been regarded as a 'holding area" for future urban growth. We have learned from numerous examples to the south that this attitude will inevitably result in the implosion of the ag industry resulting in rural sprawl that everyone wants to avoid. There are many factors that are needed to keep a vital farm economy - water, labor, community support, etc. - but it is hard to dispute that having the land to farm is one of the highest priorities.
We take the County's commitment to maintaining a farmland base very seriously. It is fundamental to the future of agriculture here. The County has made many positive steps towards the goal of preserving at least 100,000 acres. Most notably the Council voted unanimously on 7/7/09 to adopt a Resolution that reaffirms the 100,000 acre goal. The Resolution also affirmed what farmland is the priority for protection and dedicated the County to develop protection tools that effectively protect farmland while respecting landowners property values. Read the full text of the resolution here.Recent community surveys ( Legacy Project, Public Involvement Plan) have clearly demonstrated the community's dedication to protecting our agricultural industry. It is important that you remind County Council members, and the candidates running for Council this fall, that their decisions have very real impacts on our future.
Specifically, votes about the appropriate size of each city's urban growth boundaries, the development of effective farm protection tools, and a resolution in the conflict between protection of resource lands and critical areas are some of the most significant decisions they will make about how County government helps or hinders the future of our farms.
Henry Bierlink
Executive Director
Whatcom Farm Friends
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 Farm Friends Programs
Farming for Life! Exhibit
Needs Volunteers
Here's your opportunity! All day at the Fair FREE! All you need to do is commit four hours as a volunteer in our display. Our 8th annual Award winning Farming For Life! Exhibition (it won the 2007 International Association of Fairs and Expositions sweepstakes award for the Best Agricultural Educational Exhibit!) will again be set up in the Mt. Baker Rotary Bldg. during fair week, August 17-22. Click here to read more about this exhibit.
Duties would include meeting the general public as they enter, giving direction through the exhibit, providing coloring books to the kids, helping to keep exhibitor tables stocked with supplies and having fun.
We are also looking specifically for real Whatcom County FARMERS to help us with a new MEET A FARMER area we are instituting for the first time this year. This would only be a two hour commitment and you would be sharing yourself and your farm story with interested fairgoers.
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 Meet Your Candidates
Ballots will be in the mail in the near future for the primary in an "odd number" year election which is primarily local, county, and city races. Farm Friends has made it a habit to bring candidates to our office for an hour to meet local farmers and community members and talk about their agriculture needs in upcoming years. It is also a fine opportunity for the candidates to update farmers on what is happening in local government and what they hope to accomplish. We have nine candidates for County Council and six Port Commissioner candidates coming in the upcoming weeks. We welcome you to join our informal discussion. Try to get here 5 minutes before the interview so we can be ready to make full use of our time. We already had Ham Hayes and Douglas Karlberg (Port Candidates) in for a visit. The next few weeks have the following scheduled:
July 13
4 pm - John Blethen (Port)
5 pm - Laurie Caskey-Schrieber (Council)
July 15
4 pm - Ken Mann (Council)
5 pm - Michael McAuley- (Port)
July 16
4 pm - Mary Beth Teigrob (Council)
5 pm - Michelle Luke (Council)
July 21
4 pm - Bill Knutzen (Council)
5 pm - Dave Pros (Council)
August 13
4 pm - Doug Smith (Port)
5 pm - Kathy Kershner (Council)
We look forward to seeing you at the Farm Friends office! Visit us at 1796 Front Street, Lynden, WA 98264. 360-354-1337.
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 Harvesting Agriculture's Aesthetics
New Photography Exhibit and Juried
Show Debuts at the NW WA Fair
Who:
The submission period is now closed. Questions can be directed to Cheryl DeHaan, Whatcom Farm Friends Community Education Program Manager, 360-354-1337, cdehaan@wcfarmfriends.com
[1] Harvesting means gathering; Agriculture is farming and crop production; Aesthetic means beautiful
Earlier this spring Whatcom Farm Friends announced a call for photographers, amateur and professional to submit entries for a new exhibit and juried photography show.
What: Over 120 entries were submitted by the deadline. Images will highlight Whatcom County's rural people, crops and product diversity, livestock, ag machinery and rural vistas. It may be tilling, growing, harvesting, daily chores, or relaxing - something special, somewhere special, someone special - capturing rural farm life.
When: All submissions will be on display as part of Whatcom Farm Friends' annual Farming for Life! exhibit within the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden, WA. August 17-22, 2009. After the fair the photo show will move to the Lynden Pioneer Museum August 24-September 25, 2009.
Why: To celebrate the beauty of our landscape, creativity of our county's photographers, and to uniquely capture and tell our farming stories.
Where: At the Northwest Washington Fair inside the Mt. Baker Rotary Building. Exhibit continues August 24-September 25, 2009 at the Lynden Pioneer Museum. |
 Blue and Green Parade Honors 4-H & FFA Youth
Who: Northwest Washington Fair Board of Directors
What: Blue and Green Parade and Opening Program Ceremony
Why: To Honor all 4-H and FFA youth participants
When: 10:30 am, Monday, August 17, 2009
Where: At Northwest Washington Fairgrounds; Parade starts at Gate 1 and ends at stage near Henry Jansen Barn with Opening Program Ceremony to follow.
Contact Person: Committee Member Brooke VanderVeen 927-3213
Once again, the Board of Directors of the Northwest Washington Fair is going out of its way to recognize the 4-H and FFA youth who bring so much spirit to the fair. The celebration will begin with the Blue and Green Parade (Blue for FFA and Green for 4-H). Participants of the parade will start at Gate 1 and march through the fairgrounds to end at the stage near the Henry Jansen Barn. All 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapter are encouraged to meet at Gate 1 at 10:15 am on Monday of the fair; the parade will begin at 10:30 am. As parade participants enjoy ice cream donated by the Whatcom County Farm Bureau, the Opening Ceremony will take place. This ceremony, beginning at 11:00 am, will feature local dignitaries who will commend the 4-H and FFA members for their hard work with all of their fair exhibits. Youth speakers will also give highlights of what 4-H and FFA mean to them. At the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony, all 4-H and FFA members will receive a free Emerson Drive ticket for the Wednesday night concert, donated by the Northwest Washington Fair. On Monday evening at 6:00 pm, a Karaoke Contest will take place in front of the Henry Jansen Barn. 4-H and FFA members and leaders will have the opportunity to win backstage passes to meet the members of Emerson Drive! Three hard-to-impress judges will be looking for the four competitors who sing either Emerson Drive's "Countrified" or "Believe" with the most energy, creativity, and spirit to win the backstage passes. Don't miss out on any of these exciting events - a parade, a recognition ceremony, and a karaoke contest - that the Board of Directors of the Northwest Washington Fair has dedicated to 4-H and FFA members!
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New & Renewal Memberships & Sponsors
Jan 09 - July 09
Many thanks you to all of our supporters! By becoming a member of Farm Friends, you can support a healthy agriculture base in our county. Become a Member Now.
Below is a list of our 2009 members to date.
PRODUCERS
Farmers actively involved in agriculture
BERRY PRODUCERS
Allison, Carol, Cleaarian Berry Farm
Bjornstad, Jim, Bjornstad Farms
Boxx Fruit & Vegetable
Ehlers, Darryl
Enfield Farms
Korthuis, Ken
Maberry, Marty
Maberry, Matt
Neulicht, Lisa, Piper Road Neighborhood
Sterk, Truman & Eileen
Van Dyken, Bob
Williams, Harry, Williams Farms
Kraght, Barbara, Barbie's Berries
DAIRY PRODUCERS
Blankers, Lance, Lazy Daisy Dairy
Blok's Evergreen Dairy, Inc
De Hoog, Jake
De Jager, Pete, Doubly Good Dairy
De Jong, Rod & Carol, Eaglemill Farms
DeBoer, Albert
Kalsbeek, Elvin & Sandra, Kalsbeek Farms
Mans, Lawrence H., Mansville Farms
Smit, Greg and Jan
Steensma, John & Karen, Steensma Dairy
Van Berkum, Harold
Van Ingen, Ben, Van Ingen Dairy, LLC
Van Mersbergen, Don & Natalie, Will O West Farms
Smit, Robert & Debbie, Smit Dairy
CATTLE PRODUCERS
Beyer, Robert & Beth
Chudek, Paul
Starr, Donn
W.C. Cattlemen's Association
Quanz, John
OTHER PRODUCERS
Bedlington, Dale, Cascade Farms Inc. (Seed Potato) Buys, Dave & Kathy, Boulder Ridge Ent (Heifer) Heeringa, Ted & Freda (Heifer) Derr, Vernon & Elaine, Fern View Farm (Heifer) Antholt, Chuck & Sharron, Three Pheasant Farm (Organic) Harrison, Brent, The Growing Garden (Organic) Powers, Steve & Karen, Big Sky Garden (Organic) Gavette, Derek & Debie Stoney Ridge Farm (Tree Fruit) Holmquist, G. B. R. (Tree Fruit) Barron, Leonard & Gwen (Poultry) Dykstra, Pete & Dorene (Row Crop) WC Farm Forestry Association (Farm Forestry) Berardi, Gigi (Small Farm) Boon, Keith, Professional Turf Growers, LLC (Turf) Noteboom, Dan, Whatcom County Farm Bureau Van Wingerden, Mike, Van Wingerden Greenhouse (Greenhouse/Nursery)
AG BUSINESS
PLATINUM ($1,000 TO $4,999)
GOLD ($500 TO $999)
Farmers Equipment Company, Gold
SILVER ($250 TO $499)
Daritech, Silver
N3, Silver
Mt Baker Vet, Silver
Kulshan Veterinary Hospital PLLC, Silver
BRONZE ($100 TO $250)
Bogaard Hay Company, Bronze
Custom Dairy Services, Bronze
Northwest Lime Company, Bronze
Whatcom Manufacturing, Inc., Bronze
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
All who support Ag Education, Awareness & Promotion
BARN RAISER ($5,000+)LTI Inc.
RANCHER ($1,000 TO $5,000)
Larson Gross PLLC
Peoples Bank, Lynden
HARVESTER ($250 TO $1,000)
Ahrenholz, Dave
Blair, David & Cheryl
Cargill Incorporated
Port Of Bellingham
Riverstyx Foundation
Skagit State Bank
CULTIVATOR ($100 TO $250)
Antholt, Chuck & Sharron, Three Phesant Farm
De Waard, Dave, DariTech
Debruin, Pete & Terry, Everson Auction Market
Fairway Drug. Inc.
Gillies, John & Marie
Grey, Paul
Jennings, William
Laird, Glen & Jean, Laird's Livestock Hauling
Lecocq, Irwin & Farnces
Northwest Farm Credit Services
Powers, Ed
GARDNER ($25 TO $100)
Bratt, Calvin
Brown, Jeremy
Eastside Market & Deli Eastside Market & Deli
Hanowell, Kathryn S.
Holden, Richard F. & Berdell
Hovde Tree Farm Hovde Tree Farm
Howard, Immy
Hubbard, Bill
Jordan, Nancy & Travis
Koskela, Carl & Peggy Koskela Blueberry Farm
Long, Michelle & Derek
Otto, Patricia
Raas, Daniel & Deborah
Stark, Elizabeth
Telgenhoff & Oetgen P.S.
VanDalen, Barbara
Warner, Daniel
Whitney, Glenn & Holly
Zylstra, Jerry Zylstra Tire Center
IN-KIND MEMBERSHIP TRADES
Bellingham Chamber of Commerce
Lynden Pioneer Museum
Lynden Chamber of Commerce
Sustainable Connections
Agriculture related businesses who support ProducersNorth Washington Implement Co., Platinum
Peoples Bank - Lynden, Platinum
Cargill Incorporated, Platinum
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| Farm Friends Board of Directors |
| Sherm Polinder, President - Dairy |
Chuck Antholt, Vice President - Produce / WWU |
Dorie Belisle, Secretary - Tree Fruit |
| Marv Tjoelker, Treasurer - Larson Gross CPA |
David Blair - Food Processing |
Mark DeJong - Dairy |
| Tom Eckert - BTC |
Debi Gavette - Agritourism |
Paul Grey - Technology |
| Marty Maberry - Berries |
Brad Smith - WWU |
Mike Van Wingerden - Greenhouse |
| John Vanderveen - Dairy / Berries |
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| Farm Friends Staff |
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Henry Bierlink, Executive Director |
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| Holly Hinman, Administrator |
Cheryl DeHaan, Community Ed Program Mgr |
Cathy Kellett, Office Manager |
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Thank you for supporting Farm Friends!
The future of Agriculture in Whatcom County depends on many partners. You are one of them! Become a member.
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