Farm Flash E-News September 2009 Agricultural Advocacy, Education & Awareness In This Issue Crop Report WFF Producers & Community Ed Upcoming Events Fair Wrap Up Fear Based Policy Alternative Energy for Farmers Free Tree Giveaway Event in Oct Farm Eduation Fund Meet our Members   Did you get this newsletter from a friend? Join Our Mailing List!   Current Crop Report       Dairy- Most dairymen are putting up their last grass crops of the year and thinking pretty seriously about starting corn chopping soon.  Even though milk price per hundred weight (cwt) is still very low, feed and hay costs are coming down some, making the daily losses per cow a bit less.  Estimated losses per cow are in the $3-$4 per day range.  July's milk price per hundred weight (cwt) is $10.74 (July Federal Order PNW Blend Price for milk.) This price is down from June's $10.88 - The cost of production to the dairy farmer lies in the $15-$17 range.     Raspberries - Harvest season ended in mid-August.  Overall yields were up somewhat from recent years.  The baby berries had some winter injury but the more mature fields produced well.  The weather during harvest was about as good as one could hope for.  Prices are solid but not spectacular.  Acreage is up slightly but not expected to grow rapidly.  Nearly all the good raspberry soils are already planted in raspberries.   Blueberries - Most blueberries are harvested with only a few late varieties still to be picked.  Overall yield was down slightly due in part to some virus pressures and winter injury.  Price is a different story.  It is down dramatically after several years of very good prices.  The world-wide production of blueberries will make profitability a challenge for many years to come.     Seed Potatoes - Digging began mid-August with yields looking good so far.  Lack of rain means the fields are dry and less mud is hauled to the warehouse.   Apples -  Preliminary reports are good.  The warm mid-summer days and cooler August days helps make a quality product.  Picking began before the end of August.   Greenhouse/Nursery - Fall Annuals are in stock now - pansies, mums, fall basket stuffers, ornamental cabbage & kale.  Lots of fresh veggies are available for sale - tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini. WFF Producers vs. WFF Community Education    Did you know that Farm Friends is actually 2 seperate non-profit organizations that operate under one board of directors?   Read the whole scoop here. . .       Upcoming Events  Follow the links to learn more. . . Whatcom Farm Tour - Sept 12, 2009  Lynden FFA Corn Maze - Fri / Sat / Sun in September starting Labor Day Lynden Harvest Festival - October 16-18, 2009 Ag in Uncertain Times Webinars - June 9, 2009-Dec 16, 2009 Food Preservation Workshops - Aug & Sept Cordata Community Food Co-op Bellingham Food Bank Seeking Farming Volunteers - Planting, weeding, and harvesting the Food Bank's farm off of Guide Meridian   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.   Our Friends and Partners Farm Friends Homepage Bertrand WID North Lynden WID WA Red Raspberry Commission WA Seed Potato Comission Dairy Farmers of WA Whatcom County Government Whatcom Conservation District Department of Ecology WSU Cooperative Extension Bits & Bytes   ABC news covers Dairy Industry struggles   What the World Eats - Time Magazine photo essay from the book Hungry Planet     Farewell to the 2009 Fair!    Feeling nostalgic about the Fair now that it's over? We invite you to view our new 3 1/2 minute video on YouTube that takes a look back at the week.   The results of the juried photo exhibit are now posted at our website, including the People's Choice votes. All 146 photos included in the exhibit have been assembled in an online book (cover pictured at left) which may also be purchased from the publisher for the cost of printing. Click here to view the images online. The exhibit itself has been moved to the Lynden Pioneer Museum through September 25th, 2009. Go see for yourself: visit the museum today!   Farm Friends warmly extends many thanks to our Farming for Life exhibit sponsors: Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Washington Dairy Products Commission Darigold LTI North Washington Implement Rader Farm Van Wingerden Greenhouses Bellingham Community Food Co-op Andgar Bogaard Hay Brim Tractor DariTech Flora Inc. Whatcom County Dairy Women Whatcom County Farm Bureau My View By Henry Bierlink Fear Based Approaches Lack Integrity   I've attended a couple events recently that have me reflecting on the role of "fear" in our political process.  Fear is a powerful motivator.  Scaring people into action is much more effective then educating them.  But it usually results in lousy public policy. One of these events was a meeting concerning the implementation of the County's critical areas ordinance on farms.  It was healthy to have rural citizens express their concerns over how we try to balance protection of water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat with our desire to keep farmers and farmland productive.  But an unhealthy fear clouded the discussion.  Somehow, large portions of the audience concluded that the County has determined that animal agriculture, including 4-H and FFA projects, was a great threat to the environment and that draconian steps needed to be made to restrict it if not discourage it. This fear has some factual basis but was blown out of proportion at the meeting.  The County is legally obligated to protect all its resources and when animals are mismanaged they can cause negative impacts.  The County seeks to provide the least onerous means of providing some accountability through the Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands program administered at the Conservation District.  Most who go through this program realize that respecting property owner's desires and the needs of environmental protection is a delicate but achievable balance. Farm Friends understands that this program is not perfect and the meeting underscored that some needed changes should be made.  That is a productive discussion.  Fear that the County wants to discourage agriculture is not. On the other end of the spectrum I attended Food INC., a documentary film painting a grossly distorted picture of production agriculture and building a case in favor of locally produced, organic food.  Again, "fear" was the dominate emotion, with the intent to  scare people away from the most efficient, safest food production system in the world.  I don't argue that there are many legitimate criticisms of the way we produce the food we enjoy so cheaply.  Just like in our recent financial meltdown there are places where greed and short term decision-making has left us with systems that are indefensible when you step back and honestly reflect.  There are a myriad of books out about our food system.  I find most of them reasonably balanced and very interesting reads.  Food INC. doesn't come close to measuring up to the standard these books have set.  I could cut them some slack as it is hard to be thorough in a 90 minute film, but they don't even try.  They present a series of "hit pieces" outlining abuses in our food systems and then note that those they are criticizing refused to comment. A recent Capital Press op ed piece reinforced my conclusions:  "The film did little to advance the debate over how food is produced. More importantly, it ignored the complexity of an efficient system that feeds much of the world." I don't like operating out of fear.  I have some sympathy for landowners who haven't had the experience of working through the complexities of balancing animal husbandry and the environment.  I have no sympathy for those that use fear to manipulate me. WWU & Vanderhaak Dairy to Receive $460K DOE Grant - Biogas for Busses Farm Friends Explores Energy Options Late August brought the news that WWU's Vehicle Research Institute program and the aenerobic digester at the Vander Haak dairy in Lynden will be awarded $460K in grant money from the U.S. Department of Energy. Funds will be used to convert 3 commercial tour buses to run on natural gas and to put in a natural gas refueling station at the dairy. The award is part of a larger grant to The Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition Petroleum Reduction Project, which is receiving a total of $15 million for multiple projects across Washington State. The much celebrated digester at the Vanderhaak Dairy has been generating biogas since 2005, but remains the only digester project in Whatcom County. Although digesters can solve many waste management issues for dairies while also providing an alternative revenue stream for farmers, the capital costs involved for construction are significant. Farm Friends board members have formed an Energy Committee whose purpose is to explore viable alternative energy projects that will benefit producer farmers and the community. Paul Grey, the committee's head says, "The political climate is right for seeking funding for energy projects. We'd like to see more digesters in our dairy rich county. Although dairy is our largest Ag sector here, we are also looking at other energy sources that could provide additional income for all types of local farmers."   Free Community Tree  Giveaway in October  Farmers Growing Trees for Salmon Program     All community members who commit to planting tree seedlings in riparian areas along creeks and streams in Whatcom County are invited to join the Farmers Growing Trees for Salmon program for a free tree giveaway event on the first three Saturdays in October:   10am-4pm 10/3/09, 10/10/09, 10/17/09 Van Wingerden Garden Center 8210 Portal Way, Blaine, WA  98230 Exit 270, 1/2 mile N of Birch Bay Square   Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, and Doug Fir available. Tips for successful planting will be provided.  Read more about the Farmers Growing Trees for Salmon program   Whatcom Farm Friends extends many thanks to the Van Wingerden Garden Center for planting and nurturing 10,000 trees for FGTFS in 2009. Mike Van Wingerden pictured above.   Meet our other 2009 Farmer Growers Whatcom Farm Education Fund Offers Dollars for Ag Related Continuing Education    On August 27th, 2009 Whatcom Farm Friends hosted our seventh annual Golf Tournament to raise money for the Farm Education Fund. 55 players participated, including a great mix of dairy, berry, Ag support businesses and other Ag participants.   Beyond the goals of having a geat time golfing and networking with colleagues, the tournament raises money each year for the Whatcom Farm Education Fund. Organizers grant $500 scholarships to farmers who pursue continuing adult education that will benefit the wider Ag community in some way.   Past examples of scholarships include support for Bob Smit and Jim Heeringa to represent dairy on a Chamber of Commerce trip to China, and Julie Enfield's participation in Leadership Whatcom.   The program welcomes more opportunities to support farmers. Contact the Farm Friends office with your inquiries about applying for a scholarship. Memberships Sept 1, 08 - August 31, 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.   NOTE: In our August newsletter we only published the member list for Jan 09-July 09. In this and future editions, the listing will include the full 12 month period.    PRODUCERS Farmers actively involved in agriculture DAIRY PRODUCERS Blankers, Lance,  Lazy Daisy Dairy Blok, Roger & Jackie Blok's  Evergreen Dairy, Inc De Hoog, Jake  De Jager, Pete,  Doubly Good Dairy De Jong, Rod & Carol,  Eaglemill Farms DeBoer, Albert Faber, Harry Kalsbeek, Elvin & Sandra,  Kalsbeek Farms Mans, Lawrence H.,  Mansville Farms Pomeroy, Ed Smit, Greg and Jan Smit, Robert & Debbie,  Smit Dairy Steensma, John & Karen,  Steensma Dairy Van Berkum, Harold  Van Dellen, Jerry Van Ingen, Ben, Van Ingen Dairy, LLC  Van Mersbergen, Don & Natalie,  Will O West Farms Van Mersbergen, Mark, Markwell Holsteins Vanderveen, Tim, Vanderveen Dairy Wolfisberg, Hans & Colleen, Edelweiss Dairy Zylstra, Kenneth   BERRY PRODUCERS Alamwala, Jag , Townline Growers Allison, Carol,  Cleaarian Berry Farm Bjornstad, Jim,  Bjornstad Farms Boxx Fruit & Vegetable Ehlers, Darryl  Enfield Farms Honcoop, Randy Korthuis, Ken  Maberry, Marty Maberry, Matt Neulicht, Lisa,  Piper Road Neighborhood Samson Farms Sterk, Truman & Eileen  Van Diest, Stan, Van Diest Farm Van Dyken, Bob  Williams, Harry,  Williams Farms Kraght, Barbara,  Barbie's Berries   CATTLE PRODUCERS Beyer, Robert & Beth  Chudek, Paul  Starr, Donn  W.C. Cattlemen's Association Quanz, John   NURSERY / GREENHOUSE Bakerview Nursery Jones, Todd Hoyt, Gretchen, Alm Hill Gardens Northwest Plant Company LLC Van Wingerden, Mike, Van Wingerden Greenhouse   SEED POTATO Bedlington, Dale,  Cascade Farms Inc. Bedlington, Marlys, Pure Potato LLC Dick Bedlington Farms Ebe, Greg & Mary   TREE FRUIT Belisle, Dorie & John, BelleWood Acres (Tree Fruit) Gavette, Derek & Debie  Stoney Ridge Farm  (Tree Fruit) Holmquist,  G. B. R.    (Tree Fruit)   ORGANICS Antholt, Chuck & Sharron,  Three Pheasant Farm  (Organic) Harrison, Brent,  The Growing Garden  (Organic) Powers, Steve & Karen,  Big Sky Garden  (Organic)   HEIFER Buys, Dave & Kathy,  Boulder Ridge Ent (Heifer) Heeringa, Ted & Freda (Heifer) Derr, Vernon & Elaine,  Fern View Farm  (Heifer)   OTHER PRODUCERS 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   AG BUSINESS  Agriculture related businesses who support Producers   PLATINUM ($1,000 TO $4,999) Cargill Incorporated North Washington Implement Co. Peoples Bank - Lynden Sterling Bank Versacold Cascade, Inc. Whatcom Farmers Coop GOLD ($500 TO $999) Farmers Equipment Company Northwest Farm Credit Services SILVER ($250 TO $499) Daritech Kulshan Veterinary Hospital PLLC Mt Baker Vet N3 Reisner Distributor Inc.   BRONZE ($100 TO $250) Bogaard Hay Company Custom Dairy Services Delaval Direct Distribution Northwest Lime Company Northwest Propane LLC Powers, Eddie Whatcom Manufacturing, Inc. Whatcom Refrigeration Inc.   COMMUNITY EDUCATION All who support Ag Education, Awareness & Promotion   BARN RAISER ($5,000+) Conoco Phillips Company - Fermdale Refinery LTI Inc.   RANCHER ($1,000 TO $5,000) Dejong, Rod & Carol Land O'Lakes Foundation Larson Gross PLLC Peoples Bank, Lynden Whatcom Community Foundation HARVESTER ($250 TO $1,000) Ahrenholz, Dave Berendsen Dairy Blair, David & Cheryl Cargill Incorporated North Washington Implement Port Of Bellingham Riverstyx Foundation Skagit State Bank Vlas, Kim & Peter CULTIVATOR ($100 TO $250) Antholt, Chuck & Sharron,  Three Phesant Farm Cascade Cuts D. C. Morse JR De Waard, Dave,  DariTech Debruin, Pete & Terry,   Everson Auction Market Fairway Drug. Inc.  Gillies, John & Marie  Goodman, Merideth Grey, Paul  Hinton, Chevrolet-Buick, Inc. Jennings, William  Kimmett, Larry Laird, Glen & Jean,  Laird's Livestock Hauling Lecocq, Irwin & Frances  Northwest Farm Credit Services  Petersen, David & Susan Powers, Ed  Timblin, Chuck   GARDNER ($25 TO $100) Booth, Terri & Ken Bratt, Calvin  Brown, Jeremy  Eastside Market & Deli Haase, Adrianne Hanowell, Kathryn S.  Holden, Richard  F. & Berdell  Hostetler, Tim Hovde Tree Farm Howard, Immy  Hubbard, Bill  Jordan, Nancy & Travis  Kirkman, Joe Koskela, Carl & Peggy  Koskela Blueberry Farm Long, Michelle & Derek Mosher, Bob  Otto, Patricia  Raas, Daniel & Deborah  Settlemyer, Earl, H. Spanel, Harriett Stark, Elizabeth  Telgenhoff & Oetgen P.S.  Timmer, Barb 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    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 Farm Friends Staff Henry Bierlink, Executive Director Holly Hinman, Administrator Cheryl DeHaan, Community Ed Program Mgr Cathy Kellett, Office Manager 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.

Late August brought the news that WWU's Vehicle Research Institute program and the aenerobic digester at the Vander Haak dairy in Lynden will be awarded $460K in grant money from the U.S. Department of Energy. Funds will be used to convert 3 commercial tour buses to run on natural gas and to put in a natural gas refueling station at the dairy. The award is part of a larger grant to The Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition Petroleum Reduction Project, which is receiving a total of $15 million for multiple projects across Washington State.

The much celebrated digester at the Vanderhaak Dairy has been generating biogas since 2005, but remains the only digester project in Whatcom County. Although digesters can solve many waste management issues for dairies while also providing an alternative revenue stream for farmers, the capital costs involved for construction are significant.

Farm Friends board members have formed an Energy Committee whose purpose is to explore viable alternative energy projects that will benefit producer farmers and the community. Paul Grey, the committee's head says, "The political climate is right for seeking funding for energy projects. We'd like to see more digesters in our dairy rich county. Although dairy is our largest Ag sector here, we are also looking at other energy sources that could provide additional income for all types of local farmers."