Category: King County

King County monitoring water quality to ensure summertime beach trips go swimmingly

July 3, 2019

With a number of temporary swimming beach closures affecting King County lakes this summer – already nine in the first eight weeks of testing – King County’s Swim Beach Monitoring Program is fielding a lot of questions about what’s causing these closures. Kirkland’s Juanita Beach Park features a wide sandy beach and calm, warm waters, … More King County monitoring water quality to ensure summertime beach trips go swimmingly

Sweet Harvest Farm: Staying passionate in the face of farming challenges

June 25, 2019

Sweet Harvest Farm is a small vegetable farm located a mile outside Carnation, Washington that uses sustainable growing practices aimed at providing produce with the best taste and nutrition possible. The Local Food team spoke with Margaret Hindle, owner of Sweet Harvest, to hear about her small-scale farming operation, the challenges to small-scale farming, and how she has connected her passion for growing food to her other passions. … More Sweet Harvest Farm: Staying passionate in the face of farming challenges

Making food go further through waste reduction and innovation

June 25, 2019

Impact Bioenergy™, a startup company that was formed in 2013 in Seattle, converts restaurant compost bin waste and spent yeast from breweries into renewable energy and organic plant food. Impact Bioenergy’s mission is to change the paradigm and get food “waste” to be recognized as a valuable renewable resource, which empowers communities by making renewable energy and organic plant food locally through organic materials recycling. 

King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) has supported Impact Bioenergy through their commercial food waste grants for projects that aim to reduce food waste generated by the commercial sector (non-residential) within King County.

The Local Food team spoke with Srirup Kumar, Community Engagement Officer at Impact Bioenergy, to learn more about why bioenergy is valuable to King County farmers and residents and how a circular economy is being created on Vashon Island. … More Making food go further through waste reduction and innovation

All King County farmers markets are now open for the season!

June 21, 2019

With more than 40 farmers markets spread across King County you are never far from farm fresh, local food. All of the King County farmers markets are now open for the summer season.

Read about farmers market fun facts, how you can find the closest farmers market to you, and market tips and tricks to help you prepare for your next visit in this blog post! … More All King County farmers markets are now open for the season!

¡Cine en el parque regresa a White Center!

June 7, 2019

Te invitamos a ti y a tu familia a ver la película el 10 de Agosto en Dick Thurnau Park y a disfrutar de las múltiples y divertidas  actividades que tendremos para ti este año.  Este año regresamos con la película animada Spider-Man- Into The Spider-Verse. Además de la película tendremos música, entretenimiento e información … More ¡Cine en el parque regresa a White Center!

2017 Census of Agriculture: Main takeaways for King County

May 30, 2019

The Census of Agriculture, conducted once every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary mail survey that counts the number of U.S. farms and ranches, and looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income, and expenditures.

The Census of Agriculture provides comprehensive agriculture data for every county in the nation. There are limitations to the Census due to the voluntary nature of the Census survey. Census surveys do not capture every farmer in the U.S., and the survey questions present categories that may not be relevant or applicable to every farmer.

However, the Census is currently the one of the best ways to glean countywide data about producers and the economic role of agriculture, which can influence decisions that will shape the future of agriculture in King County. … More 2017 Census of Agriculture: Main takeaways for King County

Cascadia Cooperative Farms: Connecting farmers to new markets in King County

May 29, 2019

Cascadia Cooperative Farms (CCF) is an egg and pastured poultry cooperative in King and Snohomish counties that brings together small local farms raising pastured poultry to help connect member farmers to new markets, help them earn fair compensation for their products, and alleviate some of the administrative burden related to producing poultry products.

The Local Food team spoke with Libby Reed, farmer at Orange Star Farm, to learn more about the cooperative farm model and why she believes cooperative farms work well for farmers with small businesses. … More Cascadia Cooperative Farms: Connecting farmers to new markets in King County

Mental Health Awareness Month: Learn about how you can support mental health for farmers

May 29, 2019

In 2019, Washington farmers and their families are facing tough challenges – increased development pressures, economic uncertainties, and spring weather challenges have added to the normal stresses of farming. Barriers to getting help may be equally challenging. Where can farmers go for support to deal with these stressful times?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and King County is dedicated to supporting mental health for farmers this month and every month. Farmers are a high-risk population, with suicide rates consistently above those of the general population. Read this blog post to read about the resources that may help if you are a farmer who needs to talk to someone, or you are someone who is worried about a farmer. … More Mental Health Awareness Month: Learn about how you can support mental health for farmers

Farmstand Local Foods: Addressing barriers to small-scale farmers through distribution efforts

March 21, 2019

Farmstand Local Foods is an organization that links urban commercial customers to a diverse range of local ingredients through the use of a modern, convenient ordering and delivery system. Farmstand focuses on facilitating and maintaining connections between producers and consumers to demonstrate the value and importance of viable local farms.

The Local Food team interviewed Austin Becker, Farmstand Local Foods manager, to better understand how Farmstand serves small-scale farmers through farm-to-restaurant connections and distribution efforts. … More Farmstand Local Foods: Addressing barriers to small-scale farmers through distribution efforts