The holidays are upon us, and all of us are starting to focus more time on our families. As Christmas and New Year's approach, I'd like to thank you all for your contributions to Pierce County's agriculture industry during 2020. We've all been mostly isolated from one another since March, but even in that isolation, we have worked together to make it through what has been a very difficult year. I hope you all have a safe and fulfilling holiday season, and I look forward to working with you in 2021.\
As you prepare for 2021, here are a few items for you to consider:
1. Earlier this month, the Eat Local First Collaborative launched the new Washington Food & Farm Finder, a comprehensive and mobile-friendly searchable database connecting Washington State residents with more than 1,700 sustainable and organic farms, farmers markets, and food businesses around the state. Listings are intended for owners and operators of local farms, food businesses (locally owned/operated) and local food systems organizations in Washington State. Listings are free through 2021.
This new resource is garnering media attention, including published pieces in KNKX, Seattle Met, Spokesman Review, The News Tribune, with additional stories being prepared for South Sound Magazine, Puget Sound Business Journal, KCPQ TV, Sound Consumer and more! Sign up for your free listing now to take advantage of all this great coverage.
2. Pierce Conservation District is holding an online workshop for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program on Monday, Dec 14 at 6:30 p.m. This program provides annual rental payments for streamside restoration projects to qualified landowners.
3. The University of Washington, in partnership with WSU and WSDA, have created the WA Farm COVID-19 Survey to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted farmers and ranchers throughout Washington. The online survey should take about 20 - 30 minutes to complete. All farm owners and/or operators throughout the state are invited to take the survey. You can participate in the survey without providing contact information.
Stay safe,
Mike Poteet
[email protected]