Tag: farming

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Hmong Association of Washington seeks to support farmers with development of new cooperative

Posted on ggonzalezzapata

Vibrant flower bouquets are one of the beloved farmer’s market items in King County, but in March 2020 as farmer’s markets temporarily closed due to the emerging coronavirus pandemic and the statewide “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order, flower growers across the region had no place to sell their bouquets.  

According to the Washington Hmong Farmers Cooperative, about 80% of the flower stands at Pike Place Market and other farmer’s markets throughout the region are owned by Hmong farmers.Continue readingHmong Association of Washington seeks to support farmers with development of new cooperative

Cat Links King County, Local food, Local Food News

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

Posted on kcdnrp

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.Continue readingSweet Harvest Farm: Staying passionate in the face of farming challenges

Cat Links Green tips, King County, Local food, Local Food News

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

Posted on kcdnrp

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!Continue readingAll King County farmers markets are now open for the season!

Cat Links Local Food News

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

Posted on kcdnrp

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.Continue readingMental Health Awareness Month: Learn about how you can support mental health for farmers

Cat Links King County, Local food, Local Food News

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

Posted on kcdnrp

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.Continue readingFarmstand Local Foods: Addressing barriers to small-scale farmers through distribution efforts

Cat Links King County, Local food, Local Food News

The story of The Grange restaurant: why investing in local food matters to restaurants, farmers, and consumers

Posted on kcdnrp

Many organizations in King County exist to support the farm-to-restaurant pipeline. The Seattle Good Business Network (SGBN) is an organization that connects and inspires people to buy, produce, and invest locally, so that everyone has a meaningful stake in the local economy. The Local Food team interviewed Andrea Porter, SGBN Seattle Made Program Manager, to learn more about why local food matters to restaurants and consumers.

After better understanding why local food matters to restaurants and their customers, the Local Food Team interviewed Luke Woodward, farmer, owner of The Grange restaurant, and part-time program manager of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, to better understand how his extensive farming experience has influenced his restaurant decisions to source locally.Continue readingThe story of The Grange restaurant: why investing in local food matters to restaurants, farmers, and consumers

Cat Links King County, Land Conservation, Local food, Local Food News, Science

Farm King County Data Center now live!

Posted on kcdnrp

Farm King County recently launched its Food Systems Data Center, which combines an interactive mapping platform with information and data on local agriculture to tell the story of King County’s farm and food system. Farm King County is a one stop resource for information and assistance for farm operations, and this data will be useful to better understand, analyze, and measure the healthy and viability of our food system. The major components of the data center include the King County Farm and Food System Map and food system indicator progress metrics.Continue readingFarm King County Data Center now live!

Cat Links King County, Land Conservation, Local food, Local Food News

The essential ingredients for growing farms: collaboration and getting to know people

Posted on kcdnrp

In early 2018, King County and its partners launched the Working Farmland Partnership (WFP) to connect farmland owners with farmers looking to establish or expand their business. We interviewed Melissa Borsting, King County Project/Program Manager focused on the WFP, to better understand what the WFP means for local food, how the partnership works, and the successes and challenges faced by this project so far.Continue readingThe essential ingredients for growing farms: collaboration and getting to know people