Read this letter at the Lynden Tribune Online - Published 5/5/2010

EDITOR, The Lynden Tribune:

I’m happy to read recent articles concerning a change in focus for the Port of Bellingham. While everyone in the county wishes them and the City of Bellingham the best in the waterfront redevelopment project, we also recognize there is much more that needs to be done to fulfill their economic development mandate.

The Bellingham Herald reported that the port commissioners are looking for a new director with a broader vision. The Lynden Tribune, in an editorial, states that the port has duties to fulfill to all of the county and challenges the port to think beyond Bellingham. The Tribune questions if the $80,000 the Port commits to small cities’ economic development projects is truly proportional to the $7,423,203 that will be collected from Whatcom County this year. We second that point and add another compelling argument.

The sources of the port’s tax dollars are:

• Unincorporated County - $3,831,670
• Bellingham - $2,471,779
• Blaine - $279,381
• Everson - $46,942
• Ferndale - $324,321
• Lynden - $395,286
• Nooksack - $23,753
• Sumas - $50,071

Farms make up a significant percentage of the tax revenue from the unincorporated county. The port has struggled to find any funds to support economic development projects on farms. If the small cities have a complaint, ours is resoundingly louder.

Farmers are seeking partnerships for food processing infrastructure upgrades, community energy projects and for an innovative effort to resolve our land and water uncertainties through an integrated natural resources market. We look forward to a port that is fully engaged with the entire county.

Read this letter at the Lynden Tribune Online

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Farm Friends Board Member Nomination Period Open Through 3/4/2010

Lynden, WA - 2/23/2010 - Whatcom Farm Friends is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors. At this time there are two open positions on the board. One positon will serve through the end of December 2010, and the other will serve through the end of December 2011. The two positions opened when David Blair retired from his two year position, and Mike VanWingerden left his position before the end of his term due to demands on his time.

View a list of current board members and terms

Farm Friends will be soliciting suggestions for nominees through 3/4/2010, and a one week comment period will follow from 3/5/10-3/11/10. A detailed schedule may be seen below. The schedule is in keeping with the Farm Friends By-Laws.

Farm Friends seeks to create a board that is representative of the major areas of agriculture in Whatcom County, as well as representation from the non-farm community. For the two open positions, we are especially seeking farmer representation.

To nominate a candiate for one of the open positons, you must be a member in good standing. Submit nominations to the Farm Friends office at 360-354-1337 or farmfriends@wcfarmfriends.com.

Alternatively, submit your nominations online

Board Member Nomination & Voting Schedule

Whatcom Farm Friends Annual Member Meeting 2010

Tuesday, February 16th, 1pm-4pm
Expo Building, Northwest WA Fairgrounds
1775 Front St., Lynden, WA, 98264
Light Refreshments will be served

Information Technology Tools for Farmers

Please join us for presentations on how Information Technology tools you use in 2010
will keep you in business into the future.

Plus a special presentation

Huxley College, Friend or Foe?

Many of you have asked the question: What’s a Huxley guy doing on the Farm Friends board?
Brad Smith, Dean of Huxley College of the Environment at WWU will give a short talk about why he serves on the board
and the relationship between farmers and environmentalists in this time of heated debate about the nature of our food system.

Farm Friends Board Panel Discussion

Listening & Responding to our Membership

 2009 brought some ideological issues to the forefront for Farm Friends and our members. We’ve listened carefully to your feedback and we’d like to
share our response and our plans for 2010. WFF Board members will form a panel to answer your questions and talk about our focus for this year.

Read our revised Mission, Goals, and Objectives for 2010.

Whatcom County Farm Bureau, Whatcom Farm Friends and the Lynden Tribune are proud to announced this year's Ag Day Essay Contest winners.  Congratulations to each and every one of you!  We had many excellent essays submitted for this year's contest with the  theme: "Agriculture - Every Day in Every Way."  The winners from each category  can be read by clicking on the winners name.

Whatcom County Farm Bureau - Debbie VanderVeen - 354-1194
Whatcom Farm Friends - Cheryl DeHaan - 354-1337
The Lynden Tribune - Cal Bratt - 354-4444

Grades 7-9

        1st place - $75 prize - Sarrah Van Zanten  

        2nd place - $25 prize - Sally Vlas    

Grades 10-12

        1st place - $75 prize - Brooke VanderVeen         

        2nd place - $25 prize - Maleah Smith 

Adult

        1st place - $75 prize - Sandra Matheson 

        2nd place - $25 prize - Fred Moormeier