UPCOMING EVENTS
No Cost Food Safety Training
If you are a specialty crop grower, packer, or processor, you have an opportunity to enroll at no cost in two online certificate training programs: the Listeria Control Specialist (LCS) and the Enteric Viruses Control (EVC) certificate programs. Funding was made possible through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.
Enroll at: https://www.ifpti.org/scbg
GOOD MEAT PROJECT FREE OFFICE HOURS WITH MARKETING EXPERTS
WSDA Regional Markets Program is partnering with the Good Meat Project to provide Washington meat farmers, ranchers and processors with exclusive access to expert consultants to help with your business. Meet one-on-one with consultants who are experts in meat branding and marketing. During these FREE, 45-minute consultations, producers can ask for advice on topics such as:
Scaling into new markets, holistically
Finding the right sales niche
Crafting your farm story for target buyers
Understanding and drawing on marketing capabilities and limitations
Understanding, building, navigating, and optimizing your website, email marketing, social media strategy, online sales and/or ecommerce
Bringing your story and brand into your packaging
Building brand awareness and navigating Media and PR
Learn More : https://goodmeatproject.org/office-hours-wsda
VIVA FARMS PRACTICUM IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE >> LAST DAY TO APPLY IS TODAY, FEB 14! <<
The Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a hands-on, applied course in certified organic production and small farm business management. The Practicum is offered at both of Viva Farms’ locations — in Burlington in Skagit County and in Woodinville in King County. In Skagit County, the Practicum is taught bilingually, offered in English with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish. (Leer esta página en español aquí.) The Practicum course takes place over 8 months from early April through mid-November, following the farming season. Over the course of the program, participants will apply knowledge and practice techniques of sustainable agricultural production on a certified organic parcel, located at the Viva Farms Skagit County or King County student farms.
“The balance of instruction and experience is so invaluable!
This is exactly what I had been looking for for years.”
– a 2023 Practicum student
As a cohort, participants will go through an entire farming season and explore the fundamentals of:
Certified Organic Production
Seed Propagation
Greenhouse Management
Irrigation
Cultivation & Weed Management
Soil Health & Fertility Management
Pest & Disease Management
Sales & Marketing
Crop & Farm Planning
Harvest & Post-Harvest Operations
Food Safety
Participants will also examine the basics of farm business management, including:
Business Planning & Set-Up
Basic Bookkeeping & Financial
Recordkeeping
Profitability Analysis
Regulatory Compliance
Access to Capital
Insurance & Farm Taxes
This course is designed to prepare and support the next generation of farmers. Are you interested in starting your own farm business? Learn more below.
The main application, along with our participant intake form, must be submitted by February 14, 2025. Note that the scholarship application is an additional form. (See more information in the FAQ below). Acceptance notifications will be sent no later than March 3, 2025. The first day of the Practicum will be April 8, 2025.
Please read the FAQs below and application materials thoroughly. Because space in the Practicum is limited, this is a competitive application process. We encourage applicants to respond thoughtfully with in-depth answers to the open ended questions.
If the application itself is a barrier, Viva Farms’ staff are available (by appointment) to provide assistance in completing the application. To receive assistance, contact: practicum@vivafarms.org or call 360-969-7191 x810 for King County and x4 for Skagit County. The application takes about 35 minutes to complete, with a handful of questions requiring longer-form answers. In-progress applications can be saved by creating a password.
Help shape legislation that affects WA farmers by sharing your experience!
WSDA and the WSU Impact Center are conducting the Washington State Agricultural Competitiveness and Viability Study and are surveying farmers across the state. It’s important that the voices of small and/or diversified farmers are included to learn more about the unique challenges you face and what kinds of resources could help ensure your farm’s viability.
Data collected from this survey will be used to:
Identify the biggest challenges facing small and/or diversified farms.
Understand what kinds of support and funding opportunities would benefit you most.
Create recommendations for Washington legislators for the benefit of Washington farmers.
This survey closes on May 1.
[Dry_Farming_Collaborative] Spring Water Resilience Workshops for Ag Service Providers
May 8 – Western Water Rights 101 for Ag Advisors - 10am-Noon PT on Zoom
With Amanda Cronin from (AMP Insights), we’ll break down water rights fundamentals across WA, OR, and CA for western ag advisors . You’ll gain practical tools to support growers with questions like:
Do I have a water right—and how can I find out?
What can I legally use water for, and how much?
What if I don’t have a water right?
Is it realistic to apply for a new water right?
While you won’t be a water rights expert in two hours, you will walk away with practical tools and region-specific insights to help your growers navigate tough questions.
Register for the 05/08 workshop here
About the Series
This series is designed to help ag advisors across WA, OR, and CA build stronger networks and develop tailored water strategies that support small-scale and historically underserved growers. Organized by Dry Farming Institute in collaboration with a cross-regional planning team.
Resilience and Resistance: Cross-Pollinating Food Movements
We are faced with multiple crises in the second half of the 2020s and beyond. These crises present opportunities to transform the food system toward greater democracy and sustainability. To get there, we need a more strategic and cohesive movement. This conference will provide a platform for sharing inspiration and innovation, strategizing and planning for action, while celebrating our wins.
Conference co-sponsors: Food Systems Leadership Network, Portland State University-Oregon Health Sciences University School of Public Health, and DAISA.
FOREST-GROWN SHIITAKE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION FOR DIVERSIFIED FARMS & STARTUPS
Join WSU Extension for an introductory workshopscovering the basics of producing shiitake mushrooms on logs, either as an enterprise to add to your farm's crop lineup, or as a small side business. The workshop will have a hands-on and interactive component; each registered farm will get to inoculate a log during the workshop to take home afterwards. Participants will also be provided with shiitake production guidance materials being developed by WSU Extension.
Cost: $30 (includes up to 3 people from the same farm)
FREE RESOURCES FOR FARMS WITH FROZEN OR TERMINATED USDA CONTRACTS
The freezing or termination of USDA funding under a signed contract can be devastating. Farm Commons has put together free resources to help farmers assess their options, take action, and gain a little more certainty in these turbulent times.
[Dry_Farming_Collaborative] Spring Water Resilience Workshops for Ag Service Providers
The Western Water Resilience Workshop Series: Empowering Ag Advisors to Partner with Small-Scale Growers continues this spring with two dynamic, farmer-informed virtual sessions. These live, interactive workshops are tailored for agricultural service providers across Washington, Oregon, and California.
04/24 Rainwater Harvesting in Action - 10-11:30am PT on Zoon
Hear directly from farmers Michelle Week (Good Rain Farm) and Nate Johnson (Sunbow Produce) as they share their experiences designing and using rainwater harvesting systems to build resilience. This session will spotlight practical strategies and lessons learned from growers adapting to increasingly unpredictable water access.
Register for the 04/24 workshop here
About the Series
This series is designed to help ag advisors across WA, OR, and CA build stronger networks and develop tailored water strategies that support small-scale and historically underserved growers. Organized by Dry Farming Institute in collaboration with a cross-regional planning team.
Rainwater Harvesting: A Western Water Resilience Workshop
Join a farmer-led conversation on Rainwater Harvesting with Michelle Week from Good Rain Farm and Nate Johnson from Sunbow Produce on Zoom at 10am on 04/24
Take a deeper dive into stories shared directly by farmers staying resilient as water access becomes harder to predict. They’ll share their water stories and the details of their rainwater harvesting systems.
Event Details:
When: Thursday April 24th, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (PST)
Format: Live, interactive, virtual workshop series on Zoom
Register here today
This is a continuation of a unique Western Water Resilience Workshops Series: Empowering Ag Advisors to Partner with Small-Scale Growers—a live, interactive virtual series that started in 2024. This series is designed for agricultural advisors in WA, OR, and CA to build stronger networks and develop tailored water strategies to support small-scale and historically underserved growers. The series is organized by Dry Farming Institute in collaboration with a planning team from across the region.
FOREST-GROWN SHIITAKE MUSHROOM PRODUCTION FOR DIVERSIFIED FARMS & STARTUPS
Join WSU Extension for an introductory workshopscovering the basics of producing shiitake mushrooms on logs, either as an enterprise to add to your farm's crop lineup, or as a small side business. The workshop will have a hands-on and interactive component; each registered farm will get to inoculate a log during the workshop to take home afterwards. Participants will also be provided with shiitake production guidance materials being developed by WSU Extension.
Cost: $30 (includes up to 3 people from the same farm)
LEARN AS YOU GO FEDERAL GRANT WRITING COURSE
The Northwest & Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Business Centers is offering a FREE eight-part course that equips you with tested strategies to craft a competitive grant application. We’ll demystify federal grant jargon, ensure you’re prepped for success, and guide you through the SAM.gov registration. From crafting workable budgets and work plans to a stress-free submission, we’ll walk you through every step. Familiarize yourself and your team with the art of grant writing and secure the USDA funding you need to grow your business.
Food Waste Prevention Week
Food Waste Prevention Week 2025 (April 7-13) is more than just an event—it’s a movement!
Powered by community, collaboration, and collective energy, together we can inspire action and drive real results in reducing food waste.
Becoming a partner is easy, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re resharing or creating a social media post, hosting or attending an event or webinar, sponsoring or spreading awareness, your involvement can make a big impact.
Why Attend a Partner Info Session?
Get a sneak peek into this year’s exciting theme.
Access simplified tools and resources to help make your efforts easy and impactful.
Discover how you can inspire change in your community and contribute to the global movement.
Register for a Partner Info Session today and take the first step toward joining Food Waste Prevention Week! Together, we can make a lasting difference.
Learn More : https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/
BEEKEEPING CLASS
Join the Skagit Valley Beekeepers Association for an online course taught by Cornell University Master Beekeeper, Dawn Beck. Topics will range from equipment and bee biology to colony management and local insights. Whether you're just getting started with the hobby or already have some experience, this course is packed with valuable information to make you a better beekeeper. After completing this class, participants will also have the opportunity to pursue certificates at both the Beginner and Apprentice levels of the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
March 28, 2025, Wenatchee, WA
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course on March 28, 2025, in Wenatchee, WA. This one-day class fulfills the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for Produce Growers outlined in §112.22 (c) that requires "At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration."
This training will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.
When: Friday, March 28, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (please arrive at 7:30am to sign-in and receive course materials.)
Where: Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street, Mish ee twie Building, Wenatchee, WA 98801
Pre-registration is required, no on-site registration will be accepted. This course is subsidized by WSDA support through the Produce Safety Program, grant #5547. The registration fee of $50 will include the PSA Grower Training Manual, a certificate of course attendance issued by AFDO, lunch and refreshments.
Full payment of the registration fee must be made at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable.
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Rouse at 509-665-9641 or joanne@wstfa.org.
PEST WATCH: STRATEGIES FOR SPECIALTY CROP PROTECTION
The Washington State Department of Agriculture Pest Program will host a free webinar called Pest Watch: Strategies for Specialty Crop Protection on March 27. Join us to discuss strategies for pest management and learn about new pest threats with a Pacific Northwest focus. Topics include:
Identifying noxious weeds in North Central WA
Quagga and zebra mussels and associated risk to agriculture and food security.
Spotted lanternfly and yellow spotted stink bug biology
Apple maggot and Japanese beetles
Northern giant hornet eradication
...and much more!
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training SPANISH
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
SPANISH
March 27, 2025, Wenatchee, WA
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course in Spanish on March 27, 2025, in Wenatchee, WA. This one-day class fulfills the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for Produce Growers outlined in §112.22 (c) that requires "At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration."
This training will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.
When: Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Please arrive at 7:30am to check-in and receive course materials.)
Where: Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
Pre-registration is required, no on-site registration will be accepted. The class will be taught in Spanish only. This course is subsidized by WSDA support through the Produce Safety Program, grant #5547. The registration fee of $50 will include the PSA Grower Training Manual, a certificate of course attendance issued by AFDO, lunch and refreshments.
Full payment of the registration fee must be made at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable.
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Rouse at 509-665-9641 or joanne@wstfa.org. Para ayuda en espanol, por favor comuniquese con Karla Flores-Curiel al 253-576-7383
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training SPANISH
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
SPANISH
March 26, 2025, in Yakima, WA
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course inSpanishon March 26, 2025, in Yakima, WA. This one-day class fulfills theFSMA Produce Safety Rule requirementfor Produce Growers outlined in § 112.22 (c) that requires "At least one supervisoror responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration." The course will be led by a trainer that has attended the PSA lead trainer training, and holds the Produce Safety Alliance Lead Trainer Certificate.
This training will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 8:0am to 5:00pm (Please arrive at 7:30am to sign-in and receive course materials.)
Where: G. S. Long, 15 W. Mead Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902
Pre-registration is required, no on-site registration will be accepted. The class will be taught in Spanish only. This course is subsidized by WSDA in support through the Produce Safety Program, grant #5547. The registration fee of $50 will include the PSA Grower Training Manual, a certificate of course attendance issued by AFDO, lunch and refreshments.
Full payment of the registration fee must be made at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable.
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Rouse, Education and Member Services Assistant, 509-665-9641 or joanne@wstfa.org Para ayuda en espanol, por favor comuniquese con Karla Flores-Curiel al 253-576-7383.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course
March 25, 2025, in Yakima, WA
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will hold a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course on March 25, 2025, in Yakima, WA. This one-day class fulfills theFSMA Produce Safety Rule requirementfor Produce Growers outlined in § 112.22 (c) that requires "At least one supervisoror responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration." The course will be led by a trainer that has attended the PSA lead trainer training, and holds the Produce Safety Alliance Lead Trainer Certificate.
This training will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 8:00am to 5:00pm (Please arrive at 7:30am to sign-in and receive course materials.)
Where: G. S. Long, 10 West Mead Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902
Pre-registration is required, no on-site registration will be accepted. This course is subsidized by WSDA in support through the Produce Safety Program, grant #5547. The registration fee of $50 will include the PSA Grower Training Manual, a certificate of course attendance issued by AFDO, lunch and refreshments.
Full payment of the registration fee must be made at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable.
If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Rouse, Education and Member Services Assistant, 509-665-9641 or joanne@wstfa.org
YOUR FARM’S FUTURE: BUSINESS & LAND TRANSFER FOUNDATIONS
Join American Farmland Trust and our local partners for an interactive workshop on succession and how to plan for the future of your farm or ranch! Hear from Jefferson Land Trust, Fulcrum Institute, Dharma Ridge Farm, and other partners. Our event will support farmers and landowners to gain practical tools that will help navigate how to transfer your farm business and transition plan for your land. This workshop is geared toward farmers, ranchers, producers who are ready to step back from full time production, landowners looking to transfer, as well as mid-career farmers with an interest in planning for the future of their farm. Join us for an introduction to succession planning and a roundtable discussion to help you start planning the legacy of your land and business!
This event is free to attend, lunch will be provided, and $75 stipends are available for farmers and landowners who attend.
Learn from the following experts during a panel and roundtable discussions:
Zach Wailand, Dharma Ridge Farm
Gayle Cooper, Fulcrum Mediation
Elizabeth Bragg, PNW Land Transition Specialist
Sarah Spaeth, Jefferson Land Trust
Facilitated by Libby Reed from Washington Farmland Trust
Please contact Elizabeth at 360-641-5502 or ebragg@farmland.org if you have any questions!
DESIGNING A WASH/PACK WITH PRODUCE SAFETY IN MIND
Do you run a small, diversified farming operation? Do you have post-harvest bottlenecks or pain points? Are you planning improvements to a produce wash/pack facility? Join WSDA Regional Markets and Produce Safety teams for a virtual workshop on “Designing a Wash/Pack with Produce Safety in Mind.” Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of the basic components of wash/pack design and how to find ways to increase post-harvest operational efficiency and produce safety. In this 1-hour interactive session we will cover:
Understanding wash/pack “zones”
Choosing materials/equipment/tools
Designing for flow of people, product, water, and waste
Writing a Standard Operating Procedure
This workshop will be provided with simultaneous Spanish interpretation.
PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING COURSE Virtual
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSA202403
this workshop is for growers who have experience or interest in selling produce to schools.
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for those farms that the rule covers. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING COURSE Virtual
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSA202403
this workshop is for growers who have experience or interest in selling produce to schools.
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for those farms that the rule covers. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING COURSE
In-person Produce Safety Alliance Grower TrainingPSA GT curriculum was created through a four-year nationwide development process. In 2011, after hosting an international gathering to review current educational resources, the PSA launched ten, open Working Committees (WCs), composed of one hundred seventy-eight unique members from academia, agriculture, industry, and regulatory agencies. The WCs identified key areas and learning objectives to be addressed in the grower curriculum. Additionally, grower preferences regarding produce safety training programs were collected by hosting eight in-person farmer focus groups nationwide, collecting feedback from eighty-nine produce growers. In 2015 and 2016, the PSA also engaged with the FDA Division of Produce Safety staff to align the curriculum content with the final FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements and incorporate the regulatory language throughout the curriculum modules and teaching notes. The seven module PSA Grower Training Course was designed to be usually delivered in one day.
Who Should Attend Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'
What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:
Introduction to Produce Safety
Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
Soil Amendments
Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
Benefits of Attending the Course The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. Visit this website for the latest Train the Trainer Information: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/training/train-trainer-course/.
FARM EMPLOYMENT LAW WORKSHOP
Join WSDA Regional Markets, Farm Commons, and Washington Department of Labor and Industries for an informational webinar about general farm employment law and Washington's Farm Internship Program.
Farm employment law feels intimidating, but with just a few key rules and operating principles, the farm or ranch business can navigate this potential minefield with confidence. A legal expert from Farm Commons will cover the fundamentals of farm employment law, including classifying workers and the obligations of every farm employer. Washington Department of Labor and Industries will cover Washington's agricultural employment standards including wages, work hours, meal and rest breaks, and information about the Farm Internship Program. This workshop will be provided with simultaneous Spanish interpretation.
PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING COURSE
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for those farms that the rule covers. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.
BEEKEEPING CLASS
The March session of our New Beekeeper Class will be held via Zoom from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on both Saturday, 3/1, and Sunday, 3/2.
Taught by Cornell University Master Beekeeper, Dawn Beck, this course covers topics ranging from equipment and bee biology to colony management and local insights. Whether you're just getting started with the hobby or already have some experience, this course is packed with valuable information to make you a better beekeeper.
After completing this class, participants will also have the opportunity to pursue certificates at both the Beginner and Apprentice levels of the Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA) beekeeping curriculum, if desired. WASBA certification is optional and requires additional fees ($25 for Beginner-level and an additional $35 for Apprentice).
WASHINGTON YOUNG FARMERS COALITION FARM CLUBS
WA Young Farmers Coalition has a tradition of Farm Clubs where farmers and our farm crew members (and our families, friends, supporters) gather to socialize, exchange knowledge and check in on each other. We are excited to bring this tradition back! This space is here for you to gather with your fellow farmers, producers, ranchers and advocates. Several of our board members will be in attendance to guide the conversation. You do not need to identify as “young” to participate!
San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit
Registration is now open for the 13th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit, scheduled for February 28 and March 1, 2025, on beautiful Lopez Island. This is a unique opportunity to connect with farmers, food producers, and community members dedicated to fostering a thriving local food system in San Juan County.
Wild Seafood Connection
WILD SEAFOOD CONNECTION is a one-day conference aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about marketing and direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers and seafood buyers.
ORGANIC SEED GROWERS CONFERENCE
ORGANIC SEED GROWERS CONFERENCE
The Organic Seed Growers Conference is a biennial gathering by and for agroecological seed communities in the U.S. and across the world. The event creates spaces where experienced and emerging seed stewards can convene timely conversations, educational training, and strategy sessions. The gathering serves as a conduit for making new connections and catching up with old friends, networking across organic seed communities, sharing knowledge with other participants, and celebrating the growing movement. Organizers curate a conference agenda that reflects the multifaceted needs of seed growers and advocates, no matter the ease or discomfort of the topics. The goal of the Organic Seed Growers Conference is to inspire individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses to take actions that support and improve the integrity of the philosophical and practical systems that make up the organic seed movement and trade.
WA STATE AGRITOURISM STUDY AND OUTREACH MEETINGS
The Washington State Agritourism Study was commissioned by the Washington State Legislature through the WA State Department of Commerce. Work on the study began in October of 2024 and the final report will come out in June of 2025.
As part of this work, the study partners are bringing together stakeholders from across Washington State to discuss and address the unique opportunities and challenges within agritourism. These meetings aim to refine and improve current laws and policies, ensuring the growth and sustainability of agritourism in our communities.
If your farm participates in agritourism (or is interested in doing so), please join us to share your insights, collaborate on solutions, and help shape the future of agritourism in Washington!
>> Please RSVP first and then find your meeting link below. If the meeting for your region does not work for you, you may join any other meeting!
Metro Puget Sound Region (Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston Counties)
Tuesday February 25th @ 1:00pm | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84362744138
