By Kate Ryan, WSU Snohomish County Extension
EVERETT, Wash. – Three Farm Walks are scheduled this summer at Vashon Island, Auburn and Silvana as part of WSU Extension’s Cultivating Success™ program.
The Cultivating Success program combines workshops and farmer-based learning experiences to help foster the success of new and existing farms and agricultural ventures. The program offers help to those just interested in or just beginning in farming, as well as those planning to expand.
Participants in the Farm Walks will tour existing farms, see how the farmers apply concepts taught in the Cultivating Success courses, and discover how Cultivating Success can provide insights on how to plan and launch farm dreams.
The next three Farm Walks are schedule for 5:30-7:30 p.m., as follows.
Monday, July 24 – Holmestead Farms on Vashon Island. Tour a diverse small farm raising mixed vegetables, fruit and livestock. Visit the orchard, gardens, sheep and poultry while hearing how the farmers balance the needs of family, farm and careers.
Monday, July 31 – Mosby Farms near Auburn encompasses more than 400 acres of fertile ground in the Green River Valley. The Mosby family grows a wide range of high quality specialty vegetables offered through their Veggie Club CSA and a market truck, as well as to restaurants and wholesalers.
Monday, Aug. 28 – Hazel Blue Acres near Silvana offers insights into a uniquely diverse farm. Like many, it began as a dairy and transitioned over the years to other crops and ventures. In 2008, certified organic blueberries were planted for U-pick and year-round frozen sales. The farm also produces hazelnuts, hay, haylage, wheat, barley and silage corn.
Cultivating Success helps participants explore the advantages available to the small and midsize farm. Weekly presentations provide a wide variety of insights from local growers, organizations and university specialists with expertise in direct marketing, value-added processing, production planning, agronomy, livestock production and more.
Cultivating Success is a collaborative effort sponsored by WSU Snohomish County Extension, Snohomish Conservation District, WSU King County Extension, King Conservation District and King County,
Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching course runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 18-Dec. 4. Using web technology it is simulcast North Snohomish County, South King County and Vashon Island, with speakers and facilitators in each location.
Seating and parking space is limited, so participants are encouraged to preregister for these free events at CSFarmWalk.eventbrite.com.
For more information on the Farm Walks and the Cultivating Success program, visit snohomish.wsu.edu/cultivatingsuccess or contact Kate Ryan, kate.ryan@wsu.edu, 425-357-6024.
Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension Office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Karie Christensen at 600 128th St. SE, Everett, Wash., 425-357-6039, christensen4@wsu.edu, at least two weeks prior to the event.
Media Contact:
- Kate Ryan, agriculture program coordinator, WSU Snohomish County Extension, 360-794-6081, kate.ryan@wsu.edu