King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Blog
Many King County farmers are impacted by the temporary suspension of farmers markets due to COVID-19. Flower growers in particular experience unique challenges because they rely heavily on farmers markets for sales.Continue readingSupport for flower growers in King County impacted by COVID-19
Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees are doing a wide variety of important work every day to protect public health and the
At a time when our community connections are strained and food security is of concern, it is inspiring to look at a program that is cultivating not just crops, but leadership. At Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands (RBUFW), young people are taking active roles to build a just and abundant food future that is vital to our sustenance and economy. They are working to develop connections with their community and farming through meaningful learning experiences in fields, farms, and kitchens.Continue readingRainier Beach Urban Farm inspires the next generation of leaders to engage in food production
Improving the productivity of existing farmland and bringing more land into food production are two of the main objectives of a new Snoqualmie Valley Agriculture Land Resource Strategic Plan that is being developed as part of the historic and innovative Fish, Farm, Flood process.Continue readingSnoqualmie Valley agriculture strategic plan seeks to increase food production by improving infrastructure on farms
Five months ago, long-range weather experts told us this winter’s western Washington weather would be influenced by “La Nada” –
Continue readingAfter the storm: A few facts about King County’s February widespread flooding
How much do you love trees? We love trees so much we set out to plant one million trees in
Continue readingSeeking submissions: Love notes to 1 Million Trees
Have you read Fortune’s recent article about the innovative ways restaurants are improving eating and community experiences around the country? If so, you may have heard about a new food hall opening in Tukwila.Continue readingTukwila Village Food Hall grand opening this spring
A primary strategy identified in the Local Food Initiative is improving the food processing, storage and distribution infrastructure in King County to accommodate and increase food distribution.Continue readingFood Hub Feasibility Study: Closing the gap in our local food system
In November, American Farmland Trust (AFT) released the Washington state fact sheet summarizing results from its Non-Operating Landowners (NOLs) survey that surveyed individually or partnership-owned lands. This survey revealed that there is significant opportunity for increased conservation practices on rented land to improve soil quality.
Since farming on rented land is very common in King County, these results are particularly valuable for our farming community.
“AFT conducted this survey in 11 states to learn more about NOL and renter relationships, communication in those relationships, conservation attitudes and behaviors, and conservation and outreach needs,” said Courtney Naumann, AFT Pacific Northwest Agricultural Stewardship Program Manager. “These results will help us understand who we should reach out to engage in conversations around agricultural stewardship, and how we can best serve demographics who fall into a renter/owner role.”Continue readingSurvey says… Washington farmer-landowner relationships are important for on-farm conservation
A verdant forested 46-acre property hugging Issaquah on one side and King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park on the