ff-n-tb.jpg

ff-n-tb.jpg

Farm Friends Logo
Farm Flash E-News  November 2010
Agricultural Advocacy, Education & Awareness
In This Issue
Free Tree Giveaways
Lynden School District Survey
Vote Yes I-1107
Farm Friends in the News
Upcoming Events
My View - Henry Bierlink
2010 Candidates on Ag
New YouTube Video
NRM on KBTC-TV
New Digester Photo Gallery
Land, Water, People Symposium
Meet our Members
 
Did you get this newsletter from a friend?
Join Our Mailing List!
 
One more Free Tree Giveaway 11/6 at BelleWood Acres
FGTFS Program

Read the Details of this fall's Giveaway Events

Listen to a KGMI radio spot on the program

The Farmers Growing Trees for Salmon program has one last free tree giveaway coming up at BelleWood Acres on Nov 6th. 5500 trees have been given away in this fall's events so far.

Hearty 2-year seedlings: Sitka Spruce, Western Red Cedar, and Doug Fir will be available. This year the trees will be "You-Dig" from the fields. Please bring a shovel and plan to dig most of your own trees. Volunteers will be on hand to assist. Plastic bags will be provided for transport.

Please plan to plant your trees within 2-3 days for the best survival rate.  Tips for successful planting will be provided.

Quantities of 50 trees or more must be pre-ordered. Orders may be made through the Farm Friends website or by calling the office at 360-354-1337. Please ask for Holly.

Many thanks to our Farmer Growers, who donate land and labor for maintenance of the trees so that we can offer strong trees to the community to plant for water quality in Whatcom County.

This program is made possible with funding from Whatcom County PUD.
Please Support FFA Needs in Lynden School District Facilities Survey
Deadline: Nov 4th
 
The Lynden School District and a Community Facility Committee are in the process of gathering feedback from as many community members, parents and staff as possible about the district's priorities for Lynden's school buildings. The survey deadline is Thursday, November 4th. 

Farm Friends would like to encourage all Lynden School District residents to take the short survey and mention your support for the the facilities needs of the FFA program in your responses. 

The Facilities Committee strongly believe the agriculture community should have a voice in this survey. 

Please visit the school district website homepage before November 4th to submit the survey and express your support for FFA:

http://www.lynden.wednet.edu  
Vote Yes on I-1107
 
Whatcom Farm Friends urges voters to vote yes on Initiative 1107.  Farm Friends recognizes the responsibility and difficulty of maintaining core services and balancing the State's budget.   In the 2010 legislative session the legislature amended our tax code to balance the budget.  But they did that in part by raising taxes on some food products.  Farm Friends thinks the law is poorly written, arbitrary and unfair.  For example, the new taxes would tax Washington State food companies that make products containing meat, fruits, and/or vegetables, but does not tax similar products made in other states or countries.

Farm Friends is opposed to any tax increase on food products.  Taxes on food products increases costs to consumers, lowers farmer incomes, and sets a bad precedent.  In our view it is ill advised.  Yes, the state's budget needs to be balanced.  Yes, core services need to be maintained.  However, Farm Friends believes voting yes on initiative 1107 will send a strong message to our representatives that taxing food products is not the way to balance the State's budget.    
. 
Farm Friends In the News
 
From time to time Farm Friends is covered by news media. You can browse links to Farm Friends in the news in a special section of our website:

Click here for Farm Friends in the News
Pumpkins and kids
Pumpkin Time!
Upcoming Events
Farm Friends Logo
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
Henry Bierlink, WFF Executive Director
Henry Bierlink, WFF Executive Director
My View

I am just back in the office after a search committee meeting for the new WSU Extension position.  I'm pleased that they listened to our request to ensure that this position be closely attuned to conventional/commodity ag producers.  Our focus (I hope you might agree!) was on the potential of the position to be a horticulture oriented agent with an ability to improve connections in ag issues across the international boundary with Canada.

I am more and more convinced this is the need of the future.  As we see continually diminishing budgets for our research institutions like WSU we will need to develop much better partnerships with all our neighbors.  Whatcom County ag is increasingly connected to the Lower Mainland of BC.  Not only are we in the same geologic, soils, water, and weather region; we are increasingly tied together economically as well.  Whatcom County has approximately 150 berry growers.  A large majority (I estimate 75%) are Canadian citizens.   We are foolish not to confront this fact and develop improved ways to bring the resources available at Ag Canada, UBC, and Simon Fraser to farmers south of the 49th parallel.

I attended a presentation Wednesday evening in Mt Vernon entitled The Cascadia Corridor: How regional growth will Shape the Northern Puget Sound.  Dr. Lang presented data to support his argument that more and more land use, water use, and economic development planning will have to occur regionally rather than city by city or even county by county.  His message was that Skagit County needs to ready to cope with and participate in the Seattle metro area growth spreading north.  What about Whatcom?  I argue it is the influence and growth of the Vancouver metro area that will affect us most.  At least for rural Whatcom. As we look to the future, it would behoove us to strengthen our relationships across the boarder.

I'm interested in your thoughts about this.
Contact us. 
Vote LogoHave You Voted Yet?

We know how these things can get buried in the inbox so we thought we'd reprint this article from October's Farm Flash. Whatcom Farm Friends asked the candidates for federal, state and county level offices to answer some questions about their positions and beliefs about agriculture. Please follow the links below to read their responses to our questions.

Responses for Congressional Candidates
Responses for WA State Legislature Candidates
Responses for Whatcom County Council Candidates

Now that the candidate responses are in, Farm Friends would like to share our vision of what the ideal answers would be to the same survey questions. Read the Farm Friends responses by following the link below.

Responses from Farm Friends

Please vote on November 2nd.
Watch Farm Friends on YouTube
Click the icon above to go to our YouTube channel and see our videos.
Watch our New Video

Whatcom Farm Friends brought a couple of educational demonstrations to the Sustainable Connections Farm Tour day in September this year. Lucky for us Emily Kubiak from S-Connect had her video capable phone with her and she shot footage of the demos. Thank you, Emily!

The first demonstration was Earth as an Apple, an Ag in the Classroom activity that shows the very small percentage of all the land on earth that can support growing food crops. Click here to download a poster of Earth as an Apple, as created by Cheryl DeHaan.

Next video coming soon: Circle of Farming Demonstration
Steve Seymour on Northwest Now - KBTC TV
Steve Seymour on Northwest Now - KBTC TV
Watch Natural Resource Marketplace on KBTC TV

On 10/21/10, KBTC-TV, a PBS-affiliate television station in Tacoma, Washington aired a half hour segment on the development of a Natural Resources Marketplace in Whatcom County. Two members of the working group, Steve Seymour of WA Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Heather Makay, project lead were interviewed in this indepth look at working being done here to meet environmental goals while also securing more certainty for water availability.

If you weren't able to make it to the 10/23/10 symposium, this broadcast is a great review of the concept.

Watch the Segment Now

View other news coverage of NRM
Rick Larsen & Henry Bierlink talk about energy policy and agriculture.
Congressman Rick Larsen & Henry Bierlink talk about energy policy and agriculture.
October Digester Visit and Photo Gallery 

On October 12th we made another visit to the Farm Power Northwest digester construction site to check in on the progress and to talk with congressman Rick Larsen about sustainable energy and Agriculture.

The digester is nearing completion now, and should be fully operational by mid November. The Greenhouse is also busy working to prepare for the availability of hot water from the digester, and by mid December the radiant floor heating system should be up and running.
A Full House at the 9/23 Symposium
NRM Symposium Attendees
Land, Water, and People Symposium a Success
 
 
Farm Friends was delighted to be the primary organizer of a September 23rd Symposium: Land, Water, and People: Finding an Effective Balance for Natural Resource Management in Whatcom County.

85 individuals committed a half day to listen and participate in the symposium held at the Whatcom Building Industry Association's excellent new facilities.  Attendees ranged from developers to environmental activists with numerous government officials also in attendance.  While most were from Whatcom we also had attendees from Skagit, Oregon and British Columbia.

Guest speakers included local experts as well as visiting speakers from American Farmland Trust, and from Oregon, the Deschutes Basin and the Willamette Partnership. Presentations given by all speakers can be downloaded at the Farm Friends website.

The purpose of the symposium was to broaden the community discussion over the role of natural resource markets in helping to resolve many of the difficult challenges we face in resource management.  Questions like "How do we preserve enough productive ag land to support the ag infrastructure without hurting private property values?" or "How do we resolve water management disputes so that fish and farms are advanced?"

Read more about the symposium and the background materials on Natural Resource Markets.

If you have questions or comments for the NRM Working Group, or wish to find out how to get involved, please Contact Us.
Memberships November 2009 - November 2010

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.

PRODUCERS
Farmers actively involved in agriculture

BERRY PRODUCERS
Allison, Carol Cleaarian Berry Farm
Bathe, Raj Bathe Farms, Inc.
Bjornstad, Jim Bjornstad Farms
Boxx, Roger & Vonda Boxx Fruit & Vegetable
Cieslar, Brian
Dickinson, John Riverland Farms, Inc.
Ehlers, Darryl Ehlers Farm LLC
Enfield, Marv, Enfield Farms
Honcoop, Randy
Hoyt, Gretchen  Alm Hill Gardens
Jackson, B.C. & Cheryl Jackson's BlueBerry Farm
Kraght, Barb & Randy Barbie's Berries
Korthuis, Ken
Koskela, Carl & Peggy  Koskela Blueberry Farm
Maberry, Matt  Curt Maberry Farm, Inc.
Maberry, Marty  Maberry Packing, LLC.
Piper Road Neighborhood
Rader, Brad  Rader Farms
Samson Farms, Inc
Sterk Berries LLC
Shumway, Ladd & Paige Shumway Berries
Vander Veen, John  T.J. Veen Acre Farms Inc.
Van Diest, Stan & Kay  Van Diest Farm
 Williams, Harry;   Williams Farms

DAIRY PRODUCERS
Appel Bros. Dairy, LLC
Blankers, Lance  Lazy Daisy Dairy
Bouma, Patrick  Bouma Farm
De Boer, Albert
De Hoog, Jake
De Jager, Pete  Doubly Good Dairy
De Jong, Rod, Jon, Jeff & Mark  Eagelmill Farms
Feddema, Ted & Arnie  Feddema Dairy LLC
Kalsbeek Farms  Elvin & Sandra Kalsbeek
Langley, Shawn & Clarissa  Fresh Breeze Organic Dairy, Inc.
Larsen, Jim & Chris  Aldergrove Farms
Noteboom, Dan
Paul, C L The Paul Dairy, Inc.
Polinder, Sherm & Phyllis Ronelee Farm
RTJ Farm  Rod & Sharon Tjoelker
Smit, Greg and Jan 
Smit, Robert & Debbie; Smit Dairy
Stap, Larry & Debbie  Twin Brook Creamery
Steensma, John & Karen  Steensma Dairy
Sterk, John, Alice, Kevin & Debbie Sterk Dairy of Whatcom County, Inc.
Vande Hoef, Rod & Joan  Vande Hoef Dairy LLC
VanderVeen, Tim & Mindy  VanderVeen Dairy LLC
Van Berkum, Harold  Van Berkum & Sons LLC.
Van Dellen, Jerry
Van Ingen, Ben;  Van Ingen Dairy, LLC 
Van Mersbergen, Mark; Markwell Holsteiins
Van Middendorp, John  OK Dairy LLC
Vlas, Pete & Kim
Vreugdenhil, Marv   Hillview Dairy LLC
Wolfisberg, Hans & Colleen;  Edelweiss Dairy
Zylstra, Kenneth

CATTLE PRODUCERS
Beyer,Robert & Beth
Chudek, Paul  Second Wind Farms
Deming, Walter
Holden, Dick & Berdell  Har-Hethlon Farms
Kirkman, Joe
Quanz, John
Whatcom Co. Cattlemen's Association

NURSERY / GREENHOUSE
 Fast, Marvin & Lynn  Red Barn Lavender
Harrison, Brent  The Growing Garden
Jones, Todd  Fourth Corner Nursery
Pike, Gary & Christina Tuxedo Garden
Van Wingerden, Mike; Van Wingerden Garden Center
Troutman, Paul Cascade Cuts

SEED POTATO
Ebe, Greg & Mary

TREE FRUIT
Belisle, Dorie & John; BelleWood Acres
Gavette, Derek & Debi;  Stoney Ridge Farm
Gmeiner, Lawrence  Flying B Ranch
Holmquist, Richard Holmquist Hazelnut Orchards, LLC

ORGANICS
Antholt, Chuck & Sharron; Three Pheasants Farm
Dykstra, Pete & Dorene  Hopewell Farm
Finger, Mike & Kimberly Cedarville Farm
Harrison, Brent; The Growing Garden
 Wagner, Les & Ginny  Third Thyme Farm

HEIFER 
Derr, Vernon & Elaine;  Fern View Farm
VanDe Garde, Vern

OTHER PRODUCERS

Barron, Leonard & Gwen (Poultry)
Johnson, Keith  Keith Johnson Fish
WC Farm Forestry Association   Mel Reasoner
Stremler, Ken,  Alpine Meadows Tree Farm
 Boon, Keith;  Professional Turf Growers, LLC
Starr, Don and Donna
 
AG BUSINESS
Agriculture related businesses who support Producers

PLATINUM ($1,000 TO $5,000)
Peoples Bank - Lynden
Larson Gross PLLC
Whatcom Farmers Coop
Versacold Cascade, Inc.

GOLD ($500 TO $999)
Andgar Corporation
Daritech
Farmers Equipment Company
Northwest Dairy Association
Northwest Liquid Transport
Northwest Plant Co.
North Washington Implement Co.

SILVER ($250 TO $499)
Delaval Direct
Kulshan Veterinary Hospital PLLC
N3 Consulting
Northwest Propane LLC
Pea Pod Industries
Reisner Distributor, Inc.
Pacific Pumping
Whatcom Refrigeration Inc


BRONZE ($100 TO $249)
Bogaard Hay Company
Littau Harvester
Northwest Farms & Food
Oxbo International Corp.
Bank of the Pacific, Lynden
Watertec, Inc.
Whatcom Manufacturing Inc.

OTHER AG BUSINESS
Dairyline Communications

COMMUNITY EDUCATION
All who support Ag Education, Awareness & Promotion

BARN RAISER ($5,000+)
Your name here!

RANCHER ($1,000 TO $4,999)
ConocoPhillips Company  Ferndale Refinery
Land O' Lakes Foundation
L.T.I. Inc.
Peoples Bank, Lynden

HARVESTER ($250 TO $999)
DeYoung & Roosma Construction
Port Of Bellingham
Reisner Distributor, Inc.
Timblin, Chuck
Vlas, Peter & Kim

CULTIVATOR ($100 TO $249)
Antholt, Chuck &Sharron;  Three Pheasants Farm
Bellingham Cold Storage
Bellingham Farmers Market Association
De Waard, Dave;  DariTech
Debruin, Pete & Terry; Everson Auction Market
Fairway Drug
Goodman, Merideth
Grey, Paul
Hinman, Holly & Patrick Baker
Hinton Chevrolet-Buick, Inc.
Hertz, Kenneth & Kathryn
Jennings, William
Joe's Garden
Jones, Todd & Allison Fourth Corner Nurseries
 Ormiston, Jim  Ag Appraisal Services
Peterson, David & Susan
Settlemeyer, Earl H.
Shumway, Ladd & Paige Shumway's Berries
Smit, Nathan Smit Dairy Compost

GARDENER ($25 TO $99)
Betz, Drew
Bierlink, Aaron
Bierlink, Henry & Evonne
Brandt, Kim
Bratt, Cal & Melinda
Burdge, Rabel & Joyce
Daniels-Zeller, Debra & Tom
Finger, Mike & Kimberly Cedarville Farm
Grover, Patrick
Heinrick, Elsie
Hogan, Bill
Hostetler, Tim
Howard, Immy 
Hubbard, Bill 
Jordan, Nancy & Travis 
Kraght, Randy & Barb  Barbie's Berries
Kuelz, Russell & Nancy
Laidlaw. Marge
Long, Michelle & Derek
Marshall, Elizabeth & Mark Full Bloom Farm
Miller-Davis, Charm
Monjure, Joy
Neulicht, Lisa
Otto, Patricia
Polinder, Ronald & Colleen
Raas, Daniel & Deborah
Telgenhoff & Oetgen P.S. 
VanDalen, Barbara
Voltz, Jeff & Nita
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


FARMING FOR LIFE 2010 SPONSORS

FOUNDATIONAL SPONSORS $5,000
Eleanor and Henry Jansen Foundation
Whatcom Community Foundation
    
SILVER $1000
Darigold Inc., Seattle
Washington Red Raspberry Commission
Washington State Dairy Products Commission
Whatcom County Dairywomen
    
BRONZE $500
Bogaard Hay Company
Community Food Co-Op
Northwest Farm Credit Services
Daritech, Inc.
Whatcom County Farm Bureau
Flora, Inc.
    
OTHER SPONSORS
Elanco Animal Health
Mt Baker Vet & Embryo Trans Service, Inc.
Pfizer Animal Health, Michael Ferrerira
Whatcom Manufacturing
Holmquist Hazelnut Orchards
WA State Seed Potato Comission

WHEELBARROW PROJECT SPONSORS

Three Pheasants Farm
Ace Hardware & Sports
Cascade Farms, Inc.
Stormhaven Farm
Cedarville Farm
Bellewood Acres
North Washington Implement
Paul Grey
Stoney Ridge Farm & Wells Fargo Bank
Paul & Cathy Kellett

Whatcom Farm Friends Board
Sherm Polinder, President - Dairy
 Chuck Antholt, Vice President - Produce / WWU
 Dorie Belisle, Secretary - Tree Fruit
Marv Tjoelker, Treasurer - Larson Gross CPA
 Debi Gavette - Agritourism
 Mark DeJong - Dairy
Nathan Smit - Smit's Dairy Compost
 Brad Smith - WWU
 Paul Grey - Technology
Marty Maberry - Berries
 John Vanderveen - Dairy / Berries
 Landon Van Dyk - Dairy / Berries




Whatcom Farm Friends Staff 
Holly Hinman, Administrator Henry Bierlink, Executive Director Cheryl DeHaan, Community Ed Program Mgr





Whatcom Farm Friends Contractors
John Gillies, North Lynden WID Heather MacKay, Natural Resources Marketplace John Quanz, Wildlife Control




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.
 
voice: (360) 354-1337
fax: (360) 354-0948
1796 Front Street
Lynden, WA
farmfriends@wcfarmfriends.com

Printer Friendly Versionprinter friendly

Powered by the PIER System