Land and Sea

2012-02-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

SAT/SUN Pruning Workshops for Older Fruit Trees!

10 am 2/11&12 - no equipment needed

Hi Everybody

We have a great opportunity this coming Saturday (and now a Sunday workshop at 10 am has been added) for anyone interested in learning a bit about pruning older fruit trees! The lovely heritage apple and pear trees located at our Land & Sea garden site on Blair St. across from the High School and Middle School will be pruned by the wonderful Keith Keyser this Saturday, at 10 am. (Keith has added an additional workshop for those who can't come Saturday; it will be this Sunday at 10 am.)

If you attended the workshop last year then this year will be nice to see how to prune your older tree a following year. If this is new to you, then welcome! Keith is really great and he has beautiful hand-made pruning tools. You will enjoy your time. Last year, people had to brave a pretty chilly morning but it was so interesting the whole crowd stayed. Who knows what the weather holds this year.

This simple workshop will be about an hour and a half and will be of help to people who have older fruit trees. If you're interested in attending, please let us know by emailing back to slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com. or call Linda at 317-5890 (leave a message). We hope to film the pruning - wish us luck!

Hope to see you Sat or Sun's workshop! (or both!)

Here is a message from Land & Sea's good friend, the wonderful and talented Keith Keyser

Island School of Living Arts (ISLA) is an institute dedicated to teaching and practicing sustainable farming skills and the preservation of traditional living skills. Keep an eye out for workshops with Keith as he continues the wonderful work of ISLA at the Land & Sea Garden headquarters! (Click on the poster below to see some of the ISLA workshops Keith had available last winter.)

http://islaposter.blogspot.com/view/classic


Heritage Farm CSA ( now Happy Belly CSA!) farmworker washing beautiful carrots.			Look for greens and winter vegetables from Happy Belly, that are now available from Nootka Rose, Blue Moon, Talking Horse and other San Juan islands farms at the SJI Food Co Op on Mullis in FH!

2011-12-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

Seed Saving Workshop!

December 12th at Skagit Valley College Friday Harbor Campus on San Juan Island, you can learn the basic skills to start saving seed on your farm. Seed can be a valuable crop for sale or on-farm use. It also holds important implications for crop conservation and food security, but growing seed successfully requires a basic understanding of seed biology and production techniques.

Micaela Colley from the Port Townsend-based Organic Seed Alliance will combine a class lecture with hands-on demonstrations with topics including selecting crops, harvest techniques, and seed cleaning skills.

Thanks to a grant from the USDA this class is offered for a low cost of $10.

Pre-registration is not required, but is available. To save a spot, contact Candace Jagel at 360-370-7664 or candace_jagel@wsu.edu.
Thanks Candace and WSU Extension Office for putting together this learning opportunity! We are so lucky!

Organic Seed Alliance is wonderful. Anyone who has seen "Food Inc" or read or or experienced what is happening to our seed supplies and our nation's small farmers knows how important it is to protect and nurture the earth's seed supply - please take a look and see even just a little of what they do.
You can support or become a part of the Alliance by going by going Here. You can also find some really great holiday gifts at this spot, believe it or not!

CHECK OUT HOBBES' NEW BLOG!!

2011-12-04T22:29:00.000-08:00

San Juan Island vegetable farmer and cook Hobbes Buchanan

Check out this new blog (click here) from great cook and SJ Island vegetable farmer Hobbes Buchanan.

Part of Mr. Buchanan's bio: "Trained in the art of cooking for 22 years by Chef Jacquelyn Buchanan, N.E. (nutrition expert). I've gained experience at the following restaurants in the San Francisco/Bay Area: Post Street Bar & Cafe, Hayes Street Grill, and General's Daughter (Sonoma County). I sold my

vegetables to many of the most successful restaurants in San Francisco and Sonoma and Napa Valleys..."

Check our sidebar for other great island blogs from other local producers. including Thousand Flowers Farm. Matt's Fresh Fish, Heritage Farm, and the adventures of hunter-gatherer Eleanor, manager Anna, and many others in Eleanor's Letters from the San Juan Island Community Co Op.

SEEKING INTERNS FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING INSTITUTE

2011-11-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone - Especially Aspiring - or Experienced - Farmers!! There is a Place For You Here!

Here is a message from Land & Sea's good friend, the wonderful and talented Keith Keyser:

"I want to pass along info on a project I'm starting on the Kanaka Bay Rd. property (SAN JUAN ISLAND, WA) I once lived on.

Next month I'll be renting it again and I am hoping to place 2 or 3 interns on the property to facilitate utilizing the land as an institute dedicated to teaching and practicing sustainable farming skills and the preservation of traditional living skills.

We'll be gardening/farming vegetables, fruit, herbs, raising bees, chickens, goats, putting food up in various ways, greenhousing, building with stone and timbers, using wattle for fences and gates, irrigating from water catchment systems pumped with solar energy, wildcrafting, developing cottage industries that allow for more time on the land such as basketry and furniture making with materials grown on the island, landscaping etc.

I've got the land, a comfortable Guesthouse with all the amenities, and shop, all on 4.5 acres.

Now all I need is people committed to the lifestyle, eager to learn and work.

This is a live/work quasi communal situation seeking to break away from the usual capitalist economic dynamic of employer/employee relations. The house and land is available next month, sooner if a good mix of folks can be found.

Thanks for putting this out there,

Keith Keyser
1-360-472-1384

* See ISLA poster at the bottom of this post for workshop and other information. First workshop will be Nov 6th.

LAND & SEA GARDEN/COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE

Our next post will have information on the progress of the wonderful new student initiated community greenhouse now being erected at the Land & Sea Garden site across from the High School and Middle School on Blair Ave.

Students from Jenny Wilson's Community Projects class, heroically mentored by Marion Melville, and mightily assisted by adult volunteers contractor Terry Whalen, the generous John Stamey, the hardworking Chris Wilson, Jim and Cathy Cole, and Keith Keyser, able go-to person Helen Venada, generous John Towson and his youth Leo Lions crew, and other kind volunteers have spent a number of weekends putting up this lovely greenhouse, and need only a few more days, and a few more able hands to finish up this pretty building which will provide a community site for greenhouse growing for years to come.

Please stay posted for more information on the next date and time we will be finishing this building up - maybe you can come and take part!

Also look here in coming days for more info on how to sign up for greenhouse use!

Please write to slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com with questions, or call Linda at 350-317-5890

*

Click here to see entire poster

PERCY SCHMEISER - A BRAVE EXAMPLE WE CAN FOLLOW

2011-10-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone -

The San Juan Agricultural Guild (SJ Ag Guild) is sponsoring Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser's visit to the San Juan Islands. This is one very brave man, with a compelling story, who hopefully helped change the way the wind blows when it comes to genetically modified foods and a huge corporation's ongoing campaign against the small family farmer. You can read more - at the link above - about this quiet farmer who, with his wife, and against incredible odds, stood up - and has continued to stand up - for what they know is right.

Mr. Schmeiser will be at the SJI Grange hall on Sunday, October 23rd from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Cost is $15. Mr. Schmeiser will talk about the years spent battling Monsanto in the courts, and the dangers of introducing genetically modified organisms in the food system.

On the same subject...

Go here to find out how to let the nation's top grocery stores know you have concerns about Monsanto's new genetically modified sweet corn.

Read the latest news on genetically modified crops here, and about simple ways you can take effective action.

Fish consumers, Pacific Northwesterners: Read about genetically modified salmon - classified as a "drug" so as to take advantage of less stringent rules - now up for approval by the FDA, here and here.

Hey, We have Visitors!! Kallari Chocolate!

2011-10-14T00:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Ecuadorean Kallari chocolate maker

Long time no see! Now we're back to catching up this page, and the first thing to know is that we have visitors from the Ecuadorean Kallari chocolate Cooperative arriving early next week and staying for 4 days! Read below about the programs they'll do while they're here, including a chocolate demo at the SJ Co Op.
The second thing is through this Saturday 10/15, for any size donation, you can become a member of Slow Food. Go here to do that.

The Visit - Events
Activist and Kallari Cooperative founder Judy Logback, and cacao farmer, chocolatier and financial director for Kallari Leonor Cayapa are arriving on San Juan island late on Sunday evening,
and spending Monday all day at the high school, headquartered in HS Spanish teacher Brook Landers classroom, with other classes including Mr. McNairy's and Ruthie Paull's classes stopping in.

Leonor speaks her native Spanish and Kichwa, and English, and Judy will also translate for Leonor.
Brook Landers has generously offered to be Judy & Leonor's escort and ambassador for their trip.

Kallari chocolate

Caffe Femenino coffee grower

Monday after school, they'll all be heading to the Co Op around 5 pm to do an open house with chocolate samples and with Caffe Femenino coffee supplied by Friday Harbor's Soroptimists. Soroptomist Anna Coffelt, who is also our SJ So Op manager spearheads the work the Soroptomists do with this WA based coffee company and will make the coffee. Anna saw that Caffe Femenino's mission and Kallari's are similar.

Tuesday am Judy and Leonor will do a program at the Friday Harbor Library from 10:30-12
noon, then a truffle making class from 1:30 - 4:30 at Marion
Melville's kitchen, over on Bison Lane off Cattle Pt. rd. We're
charging 25$ for that, so that we can cover the cost of chocolate and
travel expenses. Marion and Doug have also donated their guest house for Judy and Leonor's visit.
While Judy and Leonor are here, they'll also have the opportunity to connect with our wonderful island farmers. We want these two, the Kallari farmer and the cooperative organizer, to get to meet
everyone and compare notes and make a connection. We think we can learn a lot from this cooperative, and the more small farmers connect worldwide, the better.

Wednesday these two inspiring women will have a chance to rest and see the island, and
Wednesday night they're going to have dinner at the Community Dinner at the High School before
they have to take off either that evening or early Thurs for an event in Seattle Thurs morning at 10.

The Food for Thought Community Dinner features island grown beef and produce and is planned and prepared by the high school Culinary Arts students and Andy Radziolowski and Liz Varvaro, who teach these kids and run the Food For Thought program at the school. Dinner is 5$ and will be incredible!

We sure hope you can make it to one of these events. Everyone adds something special to all this.
All of us connecting - that's how we can change the world!

cacao beans

There's a great paper Judy wrote about what they've done with the Kallari
cooperative, with many observations that can be a big help to us here on our island.
It's worth looking at if you have a minute. Double spaced for easy reading.

Kallari Cooperative member

About Kallari

Ecuadorean river, Napo region

KALLARI (kah-YAH-di) is a cooperative of over 850 Kichwa cacao farm families in the Amazonian Napo Province of Ecuador. With student activist Judy Logback, the Kichwa people created this cooperative for more control over revenues. Realizing most profit is made from sales of chocolate bars, not the cacao beans, the Kallari Association decided to produce their own chocolate. Robert Steinberg, a founder of Scharffen Berger chocolate, advised the cooperative on chocolate making and Stephen McDonnell, the founder and chief executive of the Applegate Farms organic food company, helped them establish the Kallari Chocolate Company. Kallari is doing something never done before in the global chocolate industry, with self-reliant governance and innovative economic model. The cooperative provides the Kichwa people economic resources to resist both logging their forests and short-term-only riches offered by environmentally harmful petroleum extraction. 100 percent of profits from sales of chocolate bars is returned to the Kallari cooperative. The Kallari cooperative is Rainforest Alliance Certified, which is denoted by the little green frog seal on the packaging. Farms that are Rainforest Alliance Certified protect wildlife, wild lands, workers' rights and local communities. In 2004 a chocolate bar made with Kallari beans was presented at the Slow Food Terra Madre conference in Turin, Italy. Slow Food selected the rare organic Cacao Nacional cacao bean found only in the Kallari communities for the Presidium Award.

2011-04-19T22:24:00.001-07:00

RYAN, PARKER AND CODY'S COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE PROJECT

Community Garden on Blair and Second - last year's crops.

The three boys from Jenny Wilson's high school Community Service class - Cody, Parker, and Ryan - working on building a community greenhouse hope to site it on this educational garden property. The boys are also putting together a plan b and c in the event this site doesn't work out; other possible places to use as an alternate set up site, or as the place for temporary storage if the greenhouse is sited here, but needs to be moved at a later date to accommodate the county's plans for the property.

The boys' aim, as they explain it, is to grow greens for the school lunch program in their greenhouse, and make it sustainable by recruiting underclassmen each year to carry oversight of the greenhouse on, and to use the income from the greens to pay for supplies and maintenance. They decided this garden site they're hoping for is a pretty great spot for this use.

Heritage pear trees and the garden field . Maybe there will be a pretty little greenhouse out here, too!

What has happened so far: Land & Sea mentors Scott and Linda visited the Community Services class and talked about the community garden. These three students came up with the greenhouse idea for the site, then worked with Scott on getting a grant to fund the purchase. The agreement the chapter has for use of the property would have to be expanded to allow the boys to site their greenhouse. Scott, Linda and Marion of Land & Sea, as the contractor, checked with the county to see if that might be possible, and got a positive response. In the meantime, thanks to the boys' and mentor Scott's hard work and the work of another greenhouse student years before, the boys were approved for a grant.

Now the three boys are working to get on the County Council's agenda to see if final approval from the County Council members is possible.

Some history: The opportunity for the boys to get this far in this project was also made possible by the work of another Community Service class student a few years back who also was successful in getting funding to build a community greenhouse. That greenhouse was not built due to the difficulty of finding a property owner willing to site the project; the difficulty most times due to liability and related issues. The schools, fairgrounds, and other properties became not possible then for those reasons. His initial work, and the foundation holding the grant, helped make Parker, Ryan and Cody's new project possible.

Cody, Ryan, and Parker's project would be under their supervision, under the auspices of Land & Sea Slow Food chapter, so that if sited on the property on Blair and Second it would become part of our county agreement, if approved, and included in our insurance coverage. Land & Sea chapter would be willing to take ownership of the greenhouse in order to make this project possible, with the express intent to turn ownership over to the school or county if ever that is possible or desired by the school or county, and to make the greenhouse completely available for use by the school and community until that time comes. Any other ideas for ownership of the greenhouse will be welcomed; Land & Sea's whole interest in this project is in making it possible. - Any one willing to take on ownership and responsibility in our place so this greenhouse can happen in a timely manner will be welcomed!

The greenhouse the boys chose is able to be moved, in case the time should come that the county would need the property for other uses.
These kids are really amazing, and so motivated! They worked on this individually and as a group all through the break to get their project ready to present.

A separate bank account within our non profit chapter would be opened, would be overseen by the kids who run the project, and would be devoted simply to the greenhouse. Any money coming in through Land & Sea to the greenhouse project will go into this account and then directly back to the greenhouse.
(See info at bottom of post about our main account).

Ryan, Parker and Cody are making plans for presentations to the FH Town and SJ County Councils, and will be doing a number of presentations to the public about their project.
We wish them the best with their project. They're amazing boys doing something a lot of people in our county are really excited about! Great job Guys!

[Land & Sea chapter's policy on financial donations: Donations go to our account at Islander's Bank. Any and all money that comes in goes directly back out into the community. Although we've rarely actively sought donations, donations offered to us have funded an irrigation system, our insurance coverage for the garden, and a small one-time stipend for our Community Projects/garden manager mentor this season.
Also funded: scholarships to the Quillisascut teaching farm, for 4 local young people so far. These scholarships are ongoing, are especially targeting local high school students and graduates, and have been provided by two local donors. The experiences the Quillisascut opportunity has provided for kids from our community has been called life changing by the participants. We actively seek young people who have been through Andy and Liz's Food For Thought Chef program. The first student we sent to Quillisascut 2 summers ago was a high school student in our Slow Food Youth program we had placed as an intern with Quail Croft Cheese here on the island. Her scholarship was provided by an island resident who's also allowed us space in her greenhouse on the west side to grow starts in this spring.
Donations will also help fund a farm work internship program for young students, now in the works.]

A reminder of the lovely harvest from last year's first garden.

2011-03-08T20:07:00.001-08:00

UPDATE ON THE SUCCESSFUL TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP, AND THE GARDEN'S GARLIC AND PEAS

Garlic in the garden. We're not using the irrigation system at this point - there is plenty of water still falling as rain!

Here's the crowd that braved the chilly weather for Keith Keyser's workshop pruning older trees a couple Sundays ago. We had close to 30 participants sign up! Thanks Keith, that was fun.

Add caption

One of Keith's lovely older pruning tools. He likes these even better than the modern metal ones available these days - the older wood ones are lighter and work really well! Keith said he found these in Eastern WA.

Up in the tree on a fruit picking ladder. A set of steps, one leg for support - a nice design that gets you in close up high.

Conservative pruning on older trees that haven't been pruned for a while - map out your pruning over a couple year's time in this situation was Keith's great advice.

The chill was actually good for tree pruning, the tree would find the trimming less stressful because of it.


Here's one of the apples after pruning.

And a couple of the pears a few weeks later, now showing more signs of buds and leaves.

The educational podiums at the garden, school in background

Click on photos above and below to enlarge for reading

Some of the current info in the podiums.

In the garden, looking towards the SJ County's Administration building. The garlic is looking great!

Tree Pruning Workshop For Older Trees This Sat. at Land & Sea Garden on Blair Ave!

Movie, "FLOW', Wed night at Drs Office Cafe!

Trees in late summer

Hi Everyone!
This Saturday, for anyone interested in learning a bit about pruning older fruit trees - The apple and pear trees located at our Land & Sea Garden site on Blair St. across from the High School and Middle School will be pruned by the wonderful Keith Keyser this Saturday, at 10 am.

This simple workshop will be about an hour long, and will be of help to people who have older fruit trees.
If you're interested in attending, please let us know
by emailing back to slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com. or call Linda at 317-5890 (leave a message).
We hope to film the pruning - wish us luck!

New - Work Party and Pruning Workshop!!

2011-03-03T00:21:00.000-08:00

Fun in Our Garden!!!
Moving Garlic, Planting Favas/Peas (3/5/11), and
Free Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop (3/12/11)

Garden manager Scott and Land & Sea invite you to come to a work party this Saturday, March 5th at 10 am at the Land & Sea Garden on Blair St. across from the High School/Middle School.
Scott says "I would like to move one row of garlic plants and put a few rows of favas and peas in the garden this Saturday."

The next Saturday (3/12/11), we'll be sponsoring a workshop with Keith Keyser on pruning fruit trees, when Keith demonstrates pruning techniques on the lovely old apples and pear tree at our garden site
(that's Blair St, across from the high school and middle school).
Saturday March 12, 10 am.

Scott says: "Can we send out a request for volunteers/workshop attendees for both of these?"

If you'd like to come, just show up at 10 am. We'll have some hand tools for the work party, but you can bring your own if you'd like.
Questions? Write slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com,
or call 317-5890
Thanks! Linda and Maureen

Check changed dates! (as of 2/23/11). We're All in This Together film series at

2011-02-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

DOCTOR'S OFFICE CAFE - starts Next Week! 7:45 pm (All welcome - space limited)

85 Front St. - Across from the ferry landing

Mar 2 / Mar 9 - FLOW : For Love of Water

Mar 16 - FRESH : new thinking about what we're eating

Mar 23 - NET LOSS: The Storm Over Salmon Farming

recommended donation $2 or whatever you can!

Sponsored by Land & Sea and the Doctor's Office Cafe

New films to be added at the end of March!!
we're all in this together!

Suzy Pingree of Westcott Bay Cider/SJI Distillery sent us a note:

2011-02-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

photo, above left: Westcott Bay apple orchard, and other photos of SJI farms represented on the SJ County Agricultural Resources Committee

From Suzy: "We are organizing a "gin tasting" to get our recipe right, it's February 28th 2 to 4 pm at Coho Restaurant. Can you come and help?" [Participants must be at least 21 years of age.]

"We just got our federal and state permits to begin operation as a local craft distillery, we own Westcott Bay Cider and we are planning to make apple brandy from the cider (apple brandy ages for 3-5 years before it can be sold). But in the meantime, we are making gin from the cider. It's delicious!

Thanks!" Contact the Distillery to sign up, or write Suzy at suzy@sanjuanislanddistillery.com

San Juan Island Distillery on San Juan Island, owners of Westcott Bay Cider, a prize-winning cider works, now has a craft distillery license to make gins and apple brandy from their excellent cider.

Every season, some apple eau de vie will get put into oak barrels for aging, and some will be sold separately for those who love the fresh taste of fine cider apples in a digestif!
Follow on SJI Distillery's facebook page, and follow on Westcott Bay Cider's facebook page as they harvest apples and make cider in the fall, and bottle the cider in the spring and summer. Distilling is what they do in the winter.

Our small island distillery will start production at the end of January, 2011. We are distilling cider in our small 30 liter copper still while we wait for delivery of our 200 liter copper still from Germany. It will be so beautiful.

12 Anderson Lane
Friday Harbor WA 98250
(360) 378-2606

San Juan Island Distillery makes spirits (gin, apple brandy) & hard cider from their antique apples at Westcott Bay Orchards. Saturday tastings 3-5pm at Westcott Bay Cider Works

www.sanjuanislanddistillery.com

Watch the film FRESH at SJI Library 1/13/116 PM - Free. See details below:

Corrected Date! Sunday Feb 13th

2011-02-08T01:24:00.000-08:00

FRESH - FILM SCREENING AT SJI LIBRARY FEB. 13, SUNDAY, AT 6 PM - FREE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

We are all hearing a lot of things about what's wrong with our nation's food production systems. How about hearing the ways we can start to solve the biggest problems? Attend the screening of the film “Fresh”, a documentary encouraging us to think about the food we are eating, looking at the issues today’s farmers are facing, and most importantly, looking at people who are doing great things, and who have found do-able ways to make healthy food available for everyone.

You can walk out of this film feeling ... Happy! And powerful.

An informal discussion will follow. For more information on “Fresh” visit the film’s website: http://www.freshthemovie.com/.

This event is co-sponsored by the San Juan Island Library and Land & Sea, a chapter of Slow Food.
This event is made possible by Land & Sea members Michelle and Chad. Thanks, Michelle & Chad!

Questions? Contact:
Linda & Maureen at 317-5890/slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com , or
Adrienne at abourne@sjlib.org /378-2798

Photo above center - One of the subjects of the film FRESH . Go here to read other bios from the film, look below for Will Allen short bio.

Will Allen The son of southern sharecroppers, Will Allen always believed that everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food. Today, he lives his dream growing amazing products on a 3-acre lot in the middle of urban Milwaukee. By converting a million pounds of waste into energy via composting, Will also leads the way in visualizing zero-waste composting.

6ft 7″former professional basketball player Will Allen is now one of the most influential leaders of the food security & urban farming movement. His farm and not-for-profit, Growing Power, have trained and inspired people in every corner of the US to start growing food sustainably. This man and his organization go beyond growing food. They provide a platform for people to share knowledge and form relationships in order to develop alternatives to the industrial food system.

www.growingpower.org

2011-02-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Legislative Bill Threatens Fish Availability
THE VOTE IS
WEDNESDAY!

Please call/email our Rep. Kristine Lytton
by Tuesday Night.
Maureen and Matt just sent out a note. (Read entire note here , it's good) The main points are below:

"This is Matt with an important issue that could affect the regularity of the fresh fish I, and other direct-marketing fishermen like myself, have available to you and other local consumers"

"Please call by Wednesday and urge a NO vote on HB 1210: Please urge our local representative Kristine Lytton to vote NO on HB 1210. (360) 786-7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov
HB 1210 is simply an allocation issue between purse seiner and gillnetters. It is a measure that should be decided within the department of fisheries, not in the Legislature."

"The quota would be caught primarily by purse seiners, sold to the major processors, and be put into the "fish pipeline" like any other fish caught in mass volume. I catch my fish in smaller volumes over a longer period of time, and bring them back to the islands because I know how important it is that we all share in our local resources.
Our goal is to increase local markets for salmon and maximize the value of the harvest. This results in more dollars and jobs to the State of Washington.'

"The ONLY equitable way of ensuring equality is allocating equal FISH, NOT time on water."

"What you can do to help stop HB 1210.

1. Determine if you live in the district of one of the committee members. (See list below.)

2. If you don't know your district, you can find out by calling 1-800-562-6000. Operators will assist you. Or you can find your legislators online at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

3. If you live in the district, call or e-mail the committee member to tell them you live in their district and that you are opposed to the bill. Provide two or three reasons why you are opposed to the bill.

4. If you don't live in a member's district, but know friends, family members or consumers/companies who do, ask them to call or e-mail. For example, do you know someone who lives in another part of Washington, such as in Representative Hinkle's district?

Each call or e-mail is logged and counted,

so you can make an impact on the vote."

"Please call before Wednesday and urge a NO vote on HB 1210: Please urge our local representative, Kristine Lytton to vote NO on HB 1210. (360) 786-7800, Kristine.Lytton@leg.wa.gov . "

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee Members
Telephone: (360) 786-7144 Fax: (360) 786-7018, Toll-Free Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000

Representative                       Phone
Blake, Brian (D) Chair        (360) 786-7870   Aberdeen
Stanford, Derek (D)            (360) 786-7928 BothellVice Chair

Chandler, Bruce (R) *         (360) 786-7960   Granger
Wilcox, J.T. (R) **              (360) 786-7912   Yelm
Buys, Vincent (R)                (360) 786-7854   Lynden
Dunshee, Hans (D)              (360) 786-7804   Snohomish
Hinkle, Bill (R)                    (360) 786-7808   Cle Elum
Kretz, Joel (R)                      (360) 786-7988   Wauconda
Lytton, Kristine (D)              (360) 786-7800   Anacortes
Orcutt, Ed (R)                      (360) 786-7812   Kalama
Pettigrew, Eric (D)             (360) 786-7838   Seattle
Rolfes, Christine (D)            (360) 786-7842   Bainbridge
Van De Wege,                    (360) 786-7916   Sequim
Kevin (D)

*Ranking Minority Member **Asst. Ranking Minority Member

2010-12-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Please stay aware of the GMO salmon being looked at for approval by the FDA. Go here for more info.
And here for details about genetically modified salmon.

2010-12-09T23:58:00.000-08:00

Eleanor and her gathering and hunting partner Anna at the San Juan Community Co Op have found so many wonderful local producers tucked away in the wilds of WA and Oregon, and sometimes right in plain sight! We have honey from the Cascade foothills, cheese from SJ island and Skagit Valley, pickles, jellies, sauces, salsas, nuts, eggs, milk, meats and produce from small family farmers and producers all over our region thanks to these two. If you take a look at the archived newsletters Eleanor writes every week, here, you'll read of marvelous adventures and wonderful things to eat that all end up in our little Coop. (Go here for the Land & Sea list of SJ Islands producers and where to find them)
Sometimes other Co Op members have the good fortune to be fetchers of some of these things, too, with a little guidance from Eleanor. Last month, Linda picked up fresh bottles of juice and cases of dried fruit from the South Oregon coast. From Linda:

Not too far south, in Bandon, Oregon...

The Vincent brothers are just regular young guys who are really great. Ty told me their grandfather planted their family's first cranberry bogs at Cape Blanco, (which is the windiest point on the west coast of the US) south of Bandon and Langlois, and I guess after their mom and dad married, their dad left commercial fishing out of Port Orford and became a cranberry farmer, too.
The bogs are like big basins, enclosed by raised earthen dikes covered with scratchy grass and bits of tiny brush. Inside the bogs are the maroon cranberry bushes. The Vincent brothers told me how many cranberry bogs they have. I think they said they have something like 16 bogs.

I met Ty at the corner of his road and 101, where he was waiting for me in his black work pickup in the rain, his little daughter next to him along for the ride.
Just before I got to that intersection, I was listening to a show on Jefferson public radio about old sayings people have heard, and what some of the less common ones actually mean.

A guy calling in to the show wanted to know about a saying his mother used when things got sort of frenzied. It turned out to be the phrase "busier than a cranberry merchant". What's the chance that would be something somebody would ask right when I was going to pick up Vincent Family dried cranberries and cranberry juice?
Even though the saying is cranberry merchant, not farmer, the explanation on the show about the origins of the saying were that cranberry farmers have to flood their fields right before a big freeze to protect their cranberries but have to wait until the last minute to do it, and so have to work in a hurry. An alternate explanation was cranberry farmers will try to hold back as long they can before the first big frost to pick their cranberries, which they also will then have to do in a hurry.

Ty and Tim said they had never heard this expression themselves. Since the word in the expression is 'merchant', Ty said maybe it's because they have to really work fast when it's time to sell and send out the cranberries. And that's when Ty mentioned how many bogs they had for their farm.
I told Ty and Tim I guessed they must end up hiring a few people to work with them when it's time to pick the cranberries and work in the bogs - when they heard that, they looked at each other right away, and started laughing, like I said something hilarious. I guess during that time, the two of them and their families must all be as busy as cranberry merchants.

Tim had driven up at the farm just moments after I had gotten there with Ty, and not too long after that we got Tim's 3 young sons to come out to get their picture taken with Tim.
A few minutes before, Ty's little daughter was out in the tool shop where the cranberry juice and dried cranberries were all stacked up, and she carried the boxes of juice and helped Ty load them into the back of my truck, so I took pictures then, too, and while Ty and Tim stood with bottles and boxes and talked to me about their business and our grandpas who worked in mills and the woods and our dads who fished ( in the '60's and '70's my dad fished out of Charleston a lot, and my brother and uncle fished out of Bandon) - for a few minutes. Ty also has an eleven year old, who was likely taking it easy in the great indoors while he could have it all to himself.
I think Ty and Tim's wives, their sons and daughter, and their mom and dad look to all be pretty important parts of their cranberry operation.

I think Tim said they have only started doing their own bottled juice and their boxed dried cranberries with their Vincent Family label on them since last May. Ty said our San Juan Community Co Op was one of the first places to carry their juice and cranberries.

Tim said that, by far, the most common question at the farmer's markets when they were selling their cranberries and juice was: "Is it local?".
Isn't that a great thing? Most people, more and more all the time, have made the connection between local products, a healthy economy, and
about where they can get really healthy and better tasting food on top of that. So, to more and more people, "Know Your Farmer!" is starting to really mean something important.

I feel lucky to get introduced to the Vincent brothers and to have visited their farm - thanks, Eleanor, and Co Op, and Ty and Tim, for the chance. The Vincent family has a wonderful website, with beautiful photographs of them and their flooded bogs with the clear Bandon sky above them. Their label design is beautiful. Their juice and cranberries are the greatest. Ty said next season they will also have more fresh cranberries available.

Tim said he likes how it's working out with the people who come by to pick up their orders, like us.
He said initially he didn't know how that would go, but that it's actually working out very well. These guys are also driving their juice and cranberries all over the place, up and down the coast.
It's inspiring to see a family work like this to make something incredible available to all of us. Thanks to Ty and Tim, their wives and children, and their mom and dad, we all get to have amazing cranberry juice, and lovely berries as well. Thanks, Vincent family!

Vincent family website address is: http://www.vincentcranberries.com/

To volunteer as a hunter-gatherer, or the many other fun tasks available at the
San Juan Community Co Op in Friday Harbor, or to join, go here.

Photos by L. Degnan Cobos. (Got a nice new camera, still getting used to how it slides out of focus so easily. That's the build up to explaining how what's known as 'operator error' resulted in the blurring of action photos of Natalie carrying some of those heavy boxes, & some off exposures. Even blurred, the Vincents can't take a bad picture!!)

Senate Passes SB 510 Tuesday, but Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reports:

2010-12-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

"House May Block Food Safety Bill [510] Over Senate Error"

We're getting conflicting messages about this bill - the Farm to Consumers Defense Fund (FTCLDF) says they are still against it even with the addition of the Tester amendment and Managers package, but the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Food Democracy Now and the Cornucopia Institute all say they all want 510 to pass now (see posts below for more on that).

We tend to agree with the FTCLDF and don't trust this bill at all.
Other great farm and consumer organizations, like Food Democracy Now are supporting passage of 510 as it is now, but we think it is a mistake to give the FDA this kind of latitude.

Analysis of 510 here.

How Your Senator Voted, here.

With the Tester amendment and Manager's package added, we do think it will not be as devastating to local producers as originally written, but will take a great deal of vigilance on the part of the average consumer to make sure the FDA regulates the factory farms and producers where food safety issues have overwhelmingly originated, and does not inappropriately regulate or place an undue burden on small sustainable farms, including dairy farms and others, where these problems have traditionally not been an issue.

Traditionally the USDA has been the agency tasked with food safety and agricultural oversight. . Each state has also always had the right to oversee many of their own food safety and agricultural concerns. Much of this right will be lost with the powers ceded by states to the FDA in this bill.

The FDA is not adequately equipped at this time to oversee a great many food safety concerns. A current example is the FDA's inability - by its own admission - to produce adequate independent research on the safety of genetically modified salmon now up for government approval. The FDA is having to rely completely on safety research produced by the company hoping to market this salmon - produced when genes of two kinds of salmon and an eel are spliced together in a laboratory, which they hope to be the first GMO animal approved for commercial production - to determine whether is safe or not. Tellingly, the salmon was submitted to the FDA by the Aqua Bounty Corporation under the classification of a drug, which avoids the more stringent regulations governing food products, had the lab created fish been submitted where food products up to this time have traditionally been submitted - the USDA. (More on this salmon in the 2 previous posts, below).

Unfortunately, much information now coming out about the Food Safety Modernization Act, SB 510, confuses people who want to protect small independent family farms and access to locally grown food, with processes, such as cloture, the average working person is not familiar with, with fast-moving changes to the Tester amendment, and with very little of the Senate process with this bill reported by any major media, until after it happens - if at all.

We also realize many farm and consumer advocate organizations are reluctant to oppose a bill containing the phrase "food safety" in its name. It makes for a terrible media sound-bite, even if the actual bill will not be effective at protecting food safety. This could be what is is hoped for by the corporate agricultural, chemical, and factory processing proponents of this bill.

To continue to follow SB 510 or to see its supporters, and those opposing the bill (listed partway down the page at govtrack.us) go here.

Public has until Nov 22 to comment on FDA Approval of GMO salmon - Also, latest update on SB 510, one post down, as of 9:15 pm 11/22

2010-11-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

Read about The Aqua Bounty Corporation's GMO fast growing salmon made of eel and salmon genes: http://tinyurl.com/2bhjlnx

How to take action TODAY - Nov. 22 is last official day for public comment!

More from the Center for Food Safety on the poor research, and all the information concealed from the public by for-profit Aqua Bounty on, potentially, the first genetically modified animal to be ok'd for food production - and why is this animal being put up for approval as a drug, doing an end-run around tougher food regulations?

More on that as of 11/22 from Duke University researchers HERE.

Legislation proposed 11/18/10 by Senators Begich (D-AK), Murkowski (I-AK), and Murray(D-AK) re: GMO salmon.

UPDATE ON SB 510 (Updated last at 9:15 pm, 11/22/10)

2010-11-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest information on SB 510 from the Cornucopia Institute and the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance:

"Even though an agreement was reached on the Tester-Hagan amendment last week, by the leadership in the Senate, this issue in the food safety bill is still not over!

The Tester-Hagan amendment would exempt smaller, organic and local growers from expensive regulatory burdens.

For over a year, the big Agribusiness trade organizations have supported passage of S.510, the Food Safety Modernization Act. From agribusiness’s perspective, the bill was a win-win: they could absorb the costs of the regulations because of their size; they'd gain good PR for supposedly improving food safety practices, gain some protection from legal liabilities—and hobble the competition—local food producers by crushing them with new regulatory burdens.

Their anti-competitive motivation was only speculation until now. But when the Senators agreed to include the Tester-Hagan amendment in the bill, to exempt small-scale direct-marketing producers from some of the most burdensome provisions, agribusiness revealed its true colors. Late last week, twenty agribusiness lobby groups fired off a letter stating that they would oppose the bill if it included the Tester-Hagan amendment.

The letter from the agribusiness groups states: “[B]y incorporating the Tester amendment in the bill, consumers will be left vulnerable to the gaping holes and uneven application of the law created by these exemptions. In addition, it sets an unfortunate precedent for future action on food safety policy by Congress that science and risk based standards can be ignored.”

The full letter can be viewed at:

http://www.unitedfresh.org/assets/files/Letter%20on%20Passage%20of%20S%20%20510%20and%20Tester%20Amendment.pdf

What science and risk? No one has produced any data or evidence of any widespread problems caused by local producers and marketed directly to consumers. All of the major foodborne illness outbreaks have been caused by products that went through the long supply chains of corporate agribusiness, many emanating from factory-scale farms.

Agribusiness’s real concern about the Tester-Hagan amendment isn’t food safety, but the precedent set by having Congress recognize that small, direct-marketing producers are different, and should be regulated differently, from the large Agribusinesses.

Corporate agribusiness is trying to convince the Senators to pull the Tester-Hagan amendment back out. While the amendment is currently part of the “Managers’ Package” – the amended version of the bill agreed to by six bipartisan sponsors – nothing is certain until the actual vote.

This Thanksgiving week, please take a moment to call or email your Senators to tell them to hold firm on KEEPING the Tester-Hagan amendment part of the bill. The legislation will likely come up for a vote when they go back into session early next week.

You can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or go to www.senate.gov to find your Senator’s website (if the phone lines are busy, the best way to reach them is through the "contact" page on their website)"

Prepared by the staff of The Cornucopia Institute and the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance

Here are two other pieces of news on the bill, one from Food Democracy Now and from the Farm to Consumer Defense Fund (FTCDF).

Links:

Food Democracy Now:
http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/blog/2010/nov/18/compromise-reached-tester-amendment-consumer-group/

FTCLDF:
http://ftcldf.org/search-results.html?cx=003694308739973790001%3Atguqrmds2da&cof=FORID%3A11&q=tester&sa=Go#901

Photos: Slow Food Nation garden, City hall, SF CA. Squash from Land & Sea school garden, Friday Harbor, WA. L Degnan Cobos

URGENT Message from the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund & FOOD DEMOCRACY NOW

2010-11-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

From Food Democracy Now:

Join Michael Pollan & Eric Schlosser in urging your Senators to pass the Tester-Hagan Amendment to protect family farmers!

Click here to call your Senators Now!

Yesterday we made over 3,000 calls, can we get to 5,000

From the FTCLDF:
The S.510 vote on November 17 was simply to allow cloture (limit debate period); the vote on November 18 has moved S.510 to the Senate floor for a vote.

CALL Your SENATORS ASAP

Implore Them to Reject S.510

S.510 presents a major threat to

the local food movement,
States' autonomy to regulate food, and
America's ability to be self-sufficient in food production.

S.510 will significantly increase the power of FDA, an agency which has stated on public record that the American people have no ''fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health" and "do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish".

S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010 needs to be stopped!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121; ask to be connected to your Senator's office.

Go to www.Congress.org and

Enter your zip code on the right side under "Get Involved" and click "Go"

Click on your Senators' names then click the "Contact" tab to get the office phone number(s)

Clearly state that you are calling about S510, the Food Safety bill.

Ask for your Senator to Vote Against S.510

Be sure to give your Zip Code.

If you get an answering machine, leave a brief message and immediately call another office.

Ask Friends & Family to Call, too!

WHY AMERICANS NEED TO TAKE ACTION

S.510 will expand FDA's jurisdiction over intrastate commerce and impose one-size-fits-all regulations that will make it difficult for many small businesses to survive. See Talking Points at the end.

How bad can a federal food safety bill be? Let me count the ways! Better yet, let Senator Coburn give you a short video tutorial on the underlying problems with S.510.

FDA's failure to exercise its current powers hardly justifies rewarding the agency with expanded authority in the aftermath of the egg recall and peanut butter fiasco.

Moreover, FDA has proven itself untrustworthy to operate in the best interest of the American public as clearly seen in allowing the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in animals and its lax policy regarding genetically modified foods.

Congress needs to get the message: Solve the real food safety problems--the centralized food distribution system and imported foods--and not regulate our local food sources out of business.

Go to www.farmtoconsumer.org/stopS510 to use the online Reject S.510 petition to send a live email to your Legislators and local newspaper editor.

Tell your Senators to protect local foods and vote against S.510.

To see these points as quick talking points, go HERE

2010-10-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

GARLIC WORKSHOP SAT. 10/16
1 PM LAND & SEA GARDEN
THE LAND & SEA GARDEN GARLIC PLANTING WORKSHOP WITH LONG-TIME ISLANDER, GARDENER AND TEACHER BRUCE ROBINSON WILL BE AT THE GARDEN BETWEEN BLAIR, 2ND AND REED STREETS - One PM this Sat. 10/16. We'll plant 3 rows of garlic starts donated by Bruce for use by the wonderful Food for Thought SJ Island School Lunch Program started and run by Liz Varvaro and Andy Radziolowski. We should be working for a couple of hours - arrive when you can, and wear your gardening clothes!

2010-10-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Beautiful wild salmon. Scroll over picture for info on the GMO salmon the FDA may want to classify as a new 'drug '. Go Here for the informative Marinkovich fish blog. Photo Matt Marinkovich

SALE ON BECOMING A MEMBER UNTIL 10/22!!
The price of joining Slow Food USA is 22$ (instead of the usual 65$) until Oct 22.
By joining, you support the work of Slow Food USA, & you have the option of joining any chapter. Our two local ones are Land & Sea (us) and Small Green Island (Orcas). There are also brand-new chapters on Whidbey, and in Alaska & E. WA Go here to read about joining and supporting the work of Slow Food USA, and why, and to find chapter information.
We don't require membership to take part in any of our Land & Sea activities, but you can help support the powerful movement for Good, Clean & Fair food for everyone if you do decide you'd like to join Slow Food.

And please go here to Ian Byington's Update to watch this short (5 min) video of a remarkable, very young man who talks about what this food thing is all about. It is incredibly moving. Thanks, Ian!

2010-10-05T02:51:00.000-07:00

OUR FIRST HARVEST!!!
Small but mighty, with more to come! (Ozette & Haida potatoes & squash, to follow.)
String beans (FH Middle School in the background, left photo)/Below, Eleanor is a hunter/gatherer . All photos Linda DC

Hi Everyone!
Here are lovely pictures of our first harvest! - string beans picked in the twilight last week (we couldn't wait - the deer were starting to look just a bit too hungry). These beans were donated to Andy and Liz at the school's Food for Thought lunch program started and run by all San Juan islanders, with initial support from Land & Sea.
We're planning on putting in garlic and kale and harvesting potatoes next week - stay tuned here and through email for details.To add your name to our email list, contact slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com. Right now Maureen's getting our events calendar updated, too - we'll link to that as soon as it's ready!

And - the amazing Food for Thought program started by Andy & Liz will take up our suggestion to create a food broker/farm liason intern position for students at the high school, and we'll continue to support that however we can. That's been an important missing link for getting local food at good prices into schools, and we are happy that the idea looks like it will take root! This can be great training for a young person - developing relationships, putting together a calling schedule and a system to contact farmers and supply the kitchen - basically, learning to be a food broker - which is something the islands also desperately need on the commercial level between restaurants and growers. And it would be one more way to get good working relationships between the kitchen and people who might not have lots of connections with the school. Good all around!
We're so lucky on our island to have an amazing woman working as a link between our local producers and our local Co Op, serving as a role model for this internship! Above, 2 photos of Eleanor, the beautiful Patron Saint of Hunter - Gatherers.
Eleanor Hartmann stocks our miracle of a San Juan Community Co Op with the most wonderful locally grown foods she and Anna Spears search out and gather from our islands and all over our region, and from family farms in parts of rural Oregon - and not only that, but also serves on the Co Op board, too. Eleanor volunteers and on her own time has introduced herself to our island farmers and food artisans, then has gone out into the field to bring back what they make and grow.
What a great example of making things happen!
October is sign up time at the San Juan Community Co Op, to renew or if you want to join.
Don't miss out on the local bounty while you're there! Vegetables, fruits, nuts, honey, milk, eggs, cheese, juice, poultry, seafood, fresh and preserved meats, ice cream, breads and baked goods at very good prices!

FARM AND FORAGING TOUR COMING UP SOON - WEEKEND OF OCT 8TH - 10TH, SAN JUAN ISLAND! 3 DAY EVENT, WITH FABULOUS MEALS + CHOCOLATE AND SALT TASTINGS!

2010-09-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Would you like to go on a foraging tour on our very own island, through fields, forests and to island farms, with two of our island’s best hunter and gatherer/foragers?

The tour is Friday October 8th to Sunday October 10th.
Stephanie and Anna Maria of Tucker House/Harrison House/Coho Restaurant have put this wonderful tour together with expert foragers and all around great people, our island’s own Eleanor Hartmann and Ryan Browne! Ticket price just covers the cost of putting this tour together - Tucker House/Harrison House isn’t making anything on this one, just trying to give everyone the opportunity to see what we’ve got on our islands! If you’ve heard of Ryan and Eleanor, and always wanted to meet them and hear about what they do, here’s a great opportunity to do just that! And this isn’t only delicious wild vegetation and shellfish - it’s also a trip to island farms for milk, cheese, eggs, meat, fruit, and seafood! It ends with dinner “made from the bounty”, (plus tasting of chocolates, salts, and olive oils!) We couldn’t have said it better!
It will be very very fun, and very informative.
Here are the details, and how to sign up:

Discover San Juan Island’s wild food scene with a Fall Foraging Fiesta, hosted by Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn. This will be an action-packed, fun-filled weekend learning about the Islands, and the sustainably-farmed products available. The fun starts on Friday, October 8th when guests will enjoy a presentation from one of the Island’s most passionate foragers. She forages on a macro level, looking for new producers of sustainable ingredients for the Island’s co-op and area restaurants.

Saturday, October 9th is dedicated to foraging on the micro-level. Participants will tromp trails and fields gathering wild mushrooms and greens; glean fruit from trees and vines; harvest mussels and clams; collect eggs; visit farms for milk and meat; help with the wine grape harvest; stop at farms producing honey, goat cheese, cider and more. There will be a break midway through to savor lunch at one of our favorite picnic spots. Back at the inn guests can mingle around a cozy fire with wine & hors d’oeuvres, and help in the kitchen while our chef cooks up the days’ bounty for dinner.

Sunday, October 10th participants will have the opportunity to do side-by-side taste tests of common everyday ingredients including salt, olive oil and chocolate.

Package price of $149 includes:

Guest reception and presentation on Friday night
Transportation and admission to farms, hors d’oeuvres and dinner on Saturday
Ingredients tasting Sunday.

Program fee covers cost of van rental, foods, beverages, and forager fee.
Stay at the Tucker House Inn or Harrison House Suite and receive a complimentary copy of their cookbook for participating in this package.

Contact Person: Anna Maria de Freitas
Phone: (360) 378-3587
Email Address: innkeeper@harrisonhousesuites.com
Website URL: HarrisonHouseSuites.com
Address: 235 “C” Street. Friday Harbor WA 98250

And to support Slow Food USA, you can join if you like for $25 until Oct. 15th. Link to join here.

LAND & SEA DIG IN! EVENT moved to a new date, and JOIN SLOW FOOD USA - BARGAIN PRICES UNTIL OCT. 15!

2010-09-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone - First, our DIG IN! event has been moved to a later date (harvest isn't quite ready yet). We'll send out a new date when potatoes etc. are ready. In other news:

Chicken before the egg. Chicken photo, Bill Cobos. Egg photo used by permission of http://www.freefoto.com

You've been hearing about salmonella eggs shipped all over the country? Meat from who knows where contaminated by e coli? The factory farms that ignore food safety, politicians who write laws to put small farmers out of business, keep school lunches frozen, or endanger public, economic, and environmental health by favoring corporations over common sense don't take into account two things - the natural world, and a massive grassroots movement mobilized to make food good, clean and fair.

We're building from the grassroots up, and making a difference. If you'd like to take part, one way is to click here to join the Slow Food community. Until Oct 15th, 1 year membership cost has been lowered to $25, making it more affordable to support the work of Slow Food USA.
Go to www.slowfoodusa.org/JoinTheFoodFight
This will help Slow Food to both protect access to healthy food, and keep the issue front and center at the local, national, and international levels.

After you join, you choose the local chapter you wish to be a part of.
Our local chapters are Land & Sea (San Juan/Lopez) and Small Green Island (Orcas).

Slow Food members unite around the idea that food should be good for you, good for the environment, and accessible to all, and value our communities, our cultures, and our planet.

And last, please read our previous post about

Land & Sea garden!

LAND & SEA GARDEN - MORE PICTURES (TAKEN 9/16/10)

2010-09-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Click on photos to enlarge.

Location: Land & Sea Garden is located in the open field bordered by Blair Ave, Reed St. and 2nd Street in Friday Harbor, directly across from the County Courthouse on 2nd and across Blair Ave from Friday Harbor High School and Middle School. Look for the sunflowers and apple and pear trees.

Land & Sea is the Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA chapter of Slow Food USA. In an agreement with our county, our new organic garden began this June on Blair Ave and 2nd Street in Friday Harbor.
Informational podiums around the garden describe our new garden, what it's for, its history, and what's currently planted. We're now almost ready for our Ozette and Haida potatoes to be harvested, rows to be weeded and turned, and garlic, leeks, and kale to be planted!

Our garden's thriving with care from Land & Sea volunteers Ryan Browne, Jared Wellington, Kelly, Michelle Lyons, Scott, Albert, Linda, Maureen, Sophie, Lucy, Marion, Albert, and Tim and with contributions from Harbor Rental, San Juan Masonic Lodge #175, Browne Lumber, our friend Declan, Bill Maas, Dave Hall, Scott C.S.A. Garden Manager at Heritage Farm, Eric Ellison, Madrona Murphy, Maureen Marinkovich, Linda Degnan Cobos, garden mother Marion, Tim McGee our wise garden advisor, Albert Strasser (rototiller - never did mention that), and a wonderful county, San Juan County!

Our garden produce will be donated by Land & Sea to the San Juan Island School District's home-grown, island-originated lunch program headed by Liz Varvaro, "Food for Thought". Land & Sea offered logistical and community outreach support to help initiate the program, and we are very happy to now make our new chapter garden and its produce available to the lunch program for meals and the garden available for learning opportunities.
We have also just been given the use of a beautiful greenhouse on the west side of the island that currently is home to 5 potted basil plants, and we are making plans for the growing of greens and culinary herbs.

Our chapter also will continue our volunteer gleaning program, gleaning produce from local farms to help, too. Chef Andy and Liz are looking forward to using potatoes, squash, and beans from this June's very late planting, and are advising us on what the school lunch program can use next from our garden to help guide our next planting choices.

Write to slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com to let us know if you'd like to provide organic seeds or starts for the garden, gardening tools, are willing to teach a workshop on any related subject, or, have another great idea of how you'd like to help.

TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION about the garden, SEE EARLIER POSTS BY SCROLLING DOWN THIS PAGE! Or follow links to earliest post here. Following posts here and here.

VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW - PLEASE DO THIS TODAY, SEP. 16

2010-09-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 9/24/10 - THIS BILL STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE - PLEASE READ, & CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY. SMALL FARMS DEPEND ON YOU

Small farm near Ames, Iowa.

PLEASE CALL SENATORS CANTWELL & MURRAY TODAY, Sep 16

We likely all know by now that family farmers on our ferry-dependent islands provide us with "food security". They produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy, from well fed healthy animals. They grow grains, fruits and vegetables using safe methods which also build our soils and make them more and more productive as the years go by. In addition, they provide jobs for local people, and they strengthen our economy.
With news in the past few weeks of not only factory-farmed salmonella tainted eggs shipped across country, but also news of outbreaks of e coli originating in meat from poorly fed livestock raised in giant corporate owned or leased animal containment farms, the significance of availability of good healthy food is very very clear. As is the importance of creating as many local jobs as possible.
Also crucial: food reserves and production sources that are island based, for any interruption in mainland access, or during other emergencies. It's incredibly important our small family farms are not crushed by regulations favoring corporate agribusiness. But that's what's in the works, right now, today, Thursday, in Congress, and you should know about it.
It's only "good business" for giant agribusiness corporations to eliminate their growing competition, the small family farmer. Although food products from these giants are sometimes cheaper at the grocery store, their prices are deceptive - we are paying more for them in total because our taxes go to these corporations in large chunks to "subsidize" them, cutting their food production costs while increasing the profits they take, on our dime. Small family farmers don't get these same subsidies, but have to compete against them in the marketplace. Corporations also employ workers at consistently lower wages than family farms, with poorer conditions, and, as multinationals, often take their profits offshore in addition to qualifying for huge tax breaks, while local family farms have access to fewer tax breaks and shelters, contribute to local tax bases and keep their profits in the local community. (On our islands, small farmers, both husbands, wives, and single farmers, work at least one other full-time job, and sometimes 2 or 3, to make it possible to stay in farming and provide us with the food they grow.)
Consumers are starting to understand how much better, healthier, and competitively priced food is from small local farms, and how keeping it local helps their local economy, and they are buying local farm food, instead of corporate grown products, in larger and larger numbers. Corporations can not tolerate competition. They are required to return the highest short-term profits possible, regardless of long-term effect. They practice the "good business" of eliminating competition early, using whatever means possible. Our small farmers also don't benefit from the much-ballyhooed "farm" or "agricultural" lobby, or the Farm Bureau; although most people think that those powerful groups of lobbyists are working for farmers, they're not. They're working for corporate agribusiness, and right now, they're working against small family farms.
The bill lobbyists and corporate backed Senate and House members are currently pushing through Congress is a big one, SB 510. It will essentially put large numbers of small farmers out of business by making it too difficult to continue, burying them in a blizzard of regulations and paperwork designed for problems that have originated exclusively in the poor conditions and feeding practices found in large factory farms, while at the same time paying only lip-service to dealing effectively with real factory farm problems. An amendment by Senator Jon Tester of Montana, a farmer and conservative who has supporters across the political spectrum, needs to added to SB 510 to make the bill actually effective as a food safety bill. The amendment protects the food safety that is provided by small family farms, and more effectively addresses safety problems posed by factory practices.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill today, Sept. 18, and Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, in addition to any other state senators you can contact, need to hear from you today to make sure the Tester amendment is added. There are more bills like this in the pipeline, but this one is right now, and needs your words to your Senator, to make it a bill for food safety. For you.

CONTACT:

Cantwell, Maria - (D - WA)	Class I
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

Murray, Patty - (D - WA)	Class III
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Helpful information on the Tester amendment from the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, here, and from the Portland Farmers Market, here.
Background on this bill and other food safety bills, at Actions page, here.

Photos by Scott Bauer

A small dairy farm in western Maryland. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines "small farms" as those averaging $50,000 in gross sales annually-which net, on average, around $23,159.

LAND & SEA GARDEN!!

2010-08-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

Rows of Ozette and Haida potatoes, rows of beans squash, and sunflowers (plus a few zinnias , marigolds, and a little basil)
all photos by Linda DC

Wide-angle of Land & Sea garden in its lovely field

Generous island resident Declan - skilled carpenter and craftsman - with a beautiful cedar/plexi podium to the right. That's a post hole digger and a pick in his hand - did we also mention he's a hard worker?

Our fantastic irrigation system, purchased with funds donated by the greathearted San Juan Masonic Lodge # 175, & installed by our good friend, garden advisor, and Mason, Tim McGee.

Look at those nobby, rich-smelling Ozettes!

Young garden gnomes lurking among the many flowers. Yes, they're friendly!!
And all those stakes? They're from Browne's Home Center. Thanks, Nancy!
Foggy day in Friday Harbor-town

Still life of of garden, with podiums

Garden manager Albert Strasser, with a handful of earth & some of the earliest potatoes. Potato blossoms in photo above (they smell like clean laundry) and bean blossoms, in all their purple-ness, below
sunflower leaves framing the middle school in the distance, with a ladybug nestled in the lower left there somewhere; and a squash getting more colorful and bigger by the minute.

Albert turning honey-bee before heading off to his second year at Colorado.

One more picture of a podium, and a side view of our garden plot, cleared of sod with a sod remover (like slicing butter!!) from wonderful Harbor Rental. Thanks, you guys!!
In the forefront, left, are some of the old apple and pear trees who keep watch over our garden.

Hi !

What has been going on in our Land & Sea Garden? So much!!

In June our many volunteers removed sod at our lovely plot with help from Harbor Rental, then tilled and furrowed (and found some wire worms), planted beans, Ozette and Haida potatoes, sunflowers, and winter squash, installed a great irrigation system financed by the SJ Masonic Lodge, and today, installed informational podiums to tell you all about it!
The gorgeous podiums were made for us by Declan Place - they are so beautiful! - from cedar given by Bill Maas, and plexiglass from Dave Hall at Island Glass. And now we have wood chips that we've started putting down in the aisles from Marion Melville!
We purchased our squash starts in June from Eric Ellison, who gave us a great price for those healthy little plants, we purchased our Ozettes from Baker Creek Seeds and from biologist Madrona Murphy, who sourced her starts from all over the San Juan islands and gave us Anna Cheeka and Haida varieties along with varieties grown on Sucia, and we purchased our bean and sunflower seeds from Uprising Seeds from Acme WA, and from Greenheart Gardens seeds from Lopez. The Ozette potatoes were developed by the Makah people of Neah Bay, and for years were only known by those people on the Olympic Peninsula. They are delicious and well adapted to our area. Read more about them here, here, and at our garden.
This week Linda & Maureen will be visiting the Friday Harbor High School kitchen to talk with Andy and Liz about the areas we will set aside for use by the High School for field trips for their lunch and chef programs! That is pretty great.
Our summer Land & Sea Garden manager Albert Strasser headed off to his sophomore year at college last week. He did a wonderful job getting enough water to our crops to help them look as beautiful as they do today! Albert is a Friday Harbor grad who participated in our Land & Sea Youth Club in its very first year. Now we hope to have a get together with him at the garden when he's back during the holidays later this year.
Linda has been spraying the beans and flowers with a mixture of egg and water, using a hudson sprayer from Browne Lumber (donated along with hose, and brass hose manifold) filled with water and Maureen's healthy eggs - so far it has repelled deer like a champ. It smells horrific!! Marion also has another non toxic mix the deer hate. She'll put it on the grass bordering the garden, and we will hope for the best. It's all a learning experience!

More details and earlier photos from our garden are included in our posts dated 6/7 and 7/11 - scroll down for those. We're now writing up information for the podiums so everyone who wants to spend time just enjoying the garden or volunteering anytime can read about the crops & what's happening at any given time.

NEWS ABOUT YOUNG ISLANDERS AT QUILLISASCUT TEACHING FARM
Another Friday Harbor 2010 graduate, Rowan Reitan, is currently working over at the new Quilted Pig restaurant at Rosario Resort. Rowan returned a week ago from the Quillisascut Teaching Farm. Rowan is a graduate of the fantastic Chef 1.0 and 2.0 programs Liz and Andy have developed over at the High School with the homegrown Food for Thought program.
Rowan and Pritha Golden, a young woman interning this year at Maple Rock Farm on Orcas and at Heritage Farm last year, were both sponsored at Quillisascut this August by our Land & Sea Chapter, thanks to the generous donation of a wonderful anonymous island couple. (Pritha is also featured in the documentary by Mike Hurwicz "Where is Tomorrow's Farmer?").
The Quillisascut Slow Food Youth Workshop program happens every August. Last year we were fortunate to send FH graduate Cheyenne Cook when a wonderful island philanthropist offered funds. Thanks to the amazing couple who funded Rowan and Pritha's trip, participation will be funded every year for a few years to come now for one or two deserving young islanders.
We are hearing fantastic things about Pritha & Rowan's time at Quillisascut - Rowan said it was the greatest thing he has ever done - and we're looking forward to hearing more! Here are some great photos from the school.
Thank you so much, island philanthropist, and thank you, great island couple!
And thank you, Lora Lea and Rick at Quillisascut, and Kim Bast from Lopez, for making this happen for these young people!

Linda also just visited Boston this August and was inspired by the vegetable garden at the Old South Church in the middle of the city, and the Fenway Victory Gardens, a huge public vegetable garden plot across the street from Fenway Park - almost close enough for an out-of-the-park homer to land in!:

Old South Church "Garden of Eatin" in Boston. (There are some lovely flowers, too)
Fenway Victory Gardens layout map, and info on the garden bulletin board. This garden has many, many fenced plots for many community participants, and dates back to the 1942! Isn't that inspiring?

MOVIE ON PBS TOMORROW!! & Seattle workshop on the Farm Bill on the 8th!

2010-08-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

The fantastic movie we presented this spring, GOOD FOOD, will be shown on KCTS 9 Seattle Wed. Aug. 4, 7 p.m. and Tues. Aug. 10 at 12 noon.
(Find GOOD FOOD on Facebook here. )

This film focuses on numerous farmers and ranchers from the state of Washington and is excellent and optimistic about the future.
If you saw it last spring you'll remember Hilario and his peppers (and peanuts!), Doc and Connie Hatfield of Oregon Country Beef, lifelong farmer Billy Allstot and Stephanie Blackstead showing off their innovative greenhouse in Tonasket, WA, and

Brooke and Sam Lucy of Bluebird Grain Farms in the Methow Valley who plant, harvest and sell organic grain on land they have recovered from years of disuse.

The Hatfields, family ranchers in eastern Oregon who founded Country Natural Beef, who who show how proper grazing of cattle can actually improve the environment.

Hilario Alvarez, who came to the U.S. as a farm worker decades ago, showing off the innumerable varieties of colorful peppers that brighten his fields and farmers markets.

George and Eiko Vojkovich of Skagit River Ranch and their daughter who raise chickens, pigs and beef. (the ranch is a member of the Island Grown Farmer's Cooperative - Look in our own San Juan Community Co Op freezer for their pork, bacon and sausages).

Seth Caswell, chef of Emmer & Rye in Seattle, who sources from individual farmers.

Burgerville, a successful family oriented Oregon and Washington burger chain which sources locally, is committed to fair labor practices, and offers grass fed beef and seasonal shakes.

Oregon Public Broadcasting will show this great documentary Wed. Aug. 11, 8 p.m., Fri. Aug. 13, 1 a.m. and Sun. Aug. 15, 11 a.m.
"Good Food picks up where Broken Limbs andThe Omnivore's Dilemma leave off: with a vision as to how small farmers are already transforming the American diet as well as rural regions of America. Using case studies from Washington and Oregon, the film shows that real, local, fairly produced food is not a hope or a dream, but a reality...I used the film in my Food and the Environment class at the University of Washington and the students loved it...It may even propel some viewers to consider a career in agriculture, an unthinkable prospect for more than a generation."
Michael Kucher, Associate Professor, Environmental Studies, University ofWashington

Also, Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young's production company Moving Images is co-sponsoring the following workshop:

Farm Bill Workshop & Kick-off the formation of the Seattle Farm Bill Action Group!
Sunday August 8, 4-6:30 pm
Guest speakers Ben Burkett and John Fawcett-Long will help participants understand the basics of the Farm Bill, its impacts on farmers, communities and consumers in WA state, and the struggles to improve the Farm Bill in 2008, including what lessons we can learn from these past efforts to be more effective in 2012.

About the speakers: Ben Burkett is a 4th generation Mississippi Farmer, President of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the National Family Farm Coalition, and involved in the international movement of farmers and farmworkers, La Via Campesina.

John Fawcett-Long has been a long-time advocate organizer for a sustainable and justice food and farming system. He was raised on a farm in southwestern Minnesota and moved to Seattle in the mid-80s, working as Director of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and on the Steering Committee of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. He's co-founder of the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network. John served as a key grassroots food and farming organizer in 1999 re: World Trade Organization's meetings in Seattle.

Free!
Potluck following- please bring something to share if you are able!
Location: New Hope Baptist Church
116 21st Ave. - between Fir & Yesler in the Central District of Seattle

FOR A CLIP OF GOOD FOOD, GO HERE.

OUR GARDEN - 2 WEEKS AGO!

2010-07-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!
Here are some more pictures of our garden a few weeks back, of the hose and hose bib manifold generously donated by Browne Lumber, our beautiful irrigation system provided by the San Juan Masonic Lodge # 175, the pretty and healthy squash starts provided to us at a very good price by the Ellisons. We removed sod with a big blue sod remover from the great folks at Harbor Rental. The garden is looking great!
Also pictured from a few weeks back are Tim McGee, garden advisor and his able young assistant; garden Mother Marion Melville infusing the garden with goodness; garden workers Lucy and Sophie, with Lucy doing the job of making good wishes for each squash plant after their transplant, as Sophie gives them a good drink for a good start; and Land & Sea co-leaders, planters and weeders Maureen & Linda, with Marion.

Our garden supervisor Albert Strasser has been careful irrigating and watching over the plants as they grow. Now our sunflowers, and the marigolds that line the short sides of the garden, are beginning to bloom. The potatoes have been flowering for weeks. Squashes and squash blossoms are peeking out from under enormous green leaves trailing across the furrows.
We've been spraying the beans with a mix of egg and water (stinky!!) to keep away the deer.

When the school year starts, we will make the garden available for field trips from the kitchen classes, and will make a section available for herbs and other plants to be planted during those trips, and used later by Chef Andy and Liz in the kitchen.

(photos by Linda Degnan Cobos, group photo by Susan Williamson)

Planted currently are: Ozette potatoes from Baker Creek Seeds, sourced from Neah Bay, rows 1 & 2; Haida, Sucia, and Maria Cheeks Ozette potatoes sourced from the San Juan Islands - gathered and donated by biologist Madrona Murphy - row 3; mixed sunflowers, row 4; bush beans and black beans mixed with a few sunflowers and basil, row 5; and mixed winter squash, row 6.

Due to the presence of wire worms, which love potatoes and like to make tiny holes on their surface, we aren't sure how our first crop of taters will turn out, but we do know that they will be a great at breaking up the soil for us, and we will work to try different solutions to the wire worm problem, and post info about our progress here and at the site. A suggestion we heard from Margaret and Joel Thorsen is coffee grounds. Tim told us it takes about 3 years to clear wire worms out. We will try the coffee grounds - good for everything!

One of the beneficial insects we've seen a lot in our garden lately is the lovely ladybug.

2010-06-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thimbleberries an d flowers - yes, it's well into that time of year!
photos: Linda Degnan Cobos, with my cheap camera

There will be a PUBLIC HEARING having to do with the SJ Conservation District:

The San Juan Islands Conservation District
is holding a public hearing on
Tuesday, June 8th, at The Grange in Friday Harbor at 10 AM.
They would like comments from the public about renewing a County special assessment which provides some of the Conservation District's funding. It's $5 per parcel, for 5 years. This would be a renewal of the same assessment the District's had since 2006.
about renewing a County special assessment which provides some of the Conservation District's funding. It's $5 per parcel, for 5 years. This would be a renewal of the same assessment the District's had since 2006.
We have to say how much we appreciate the every day efforts of the San Juan Conservation District.
These hard working people usually do their jobs without much attention, but the amount of services they provide to all of us in San Juan County is phenomenal. Just take a look at the page listing their many services and programs (the links are on the left when you go here). We know you will find something there you will find helpful! Just check!
The number of services we have available to us through the district is slightly stunning, and the quality of these services and these professionals - well... we are very lucky.

The District is inviting us all to attend this hearing, to find out more about what they do and to tell them what you think. Written comments to SJICD, 350 Court Street #10, Friday Harbor 98250 are also welcome.
For questions about the hearing, or on submitting comments, Conservation District OfficeManager Josie Byington is at (360) 378-6621

OUR NEW GARDEN BREAKS GROUND!
- story to come by the end of the week, so check back, but here are photos of Tim, Albert, Michelle, Jared, Scott, Kelly, Linda, Maureen, and Marion.

all photos: Linda Degnan Cobos

SUMMER'S COMING! - LOOKING FOR MEANINGFUL WORK?

2010-05-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Update: Here's another great site:
ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG FARMERS AND FARMERS-TO-BE: Looking for farms to manage, or someone to manage your farm? That and a lot lot lot more, especially for young farmers, on the Greenhorns/The Irresistable Fleet of Bicycles. It is absolutely fantastic! Links to other young farmers, learning opportunities, and what looks like a great film. (getting some ideas here..another film for our informal ongoing film fest/teach in...)

Here's another good site, too - Sustainable Food Jobs -
It's a simple, streamlined site - very helpful. They list by state with descriptions and links.
Here are their Washington state current listings as of 5/12/10. Type in the state(s) you're looking into, or other keywords, in the search box at the top of the page.
They have listings for both volunteer, internship, and paid jobs, also a Connect More page with links to helpful organizations.
Check it out, graduates and young people!

Eco-Farm is also EXCELLENT - they have a great GenNext page which is a blog page with writing from very new younger farmers and farmworkers sharing their experiences and exchanging advice - some just getting started - and a GMO update page that is very good.
(Also, for jobs and internship opportunities, scroll down to check the Apprenticeships, Internships heading, on the links listed along the right side here on our main page. You'll find tons of links at the right side of our main page for all sorts of opportunities, including ATTRA, also a great site. Also look under the Island Grown heading, on the right of our page, further down, for a listing of local farms and producers for local job possibilities...And here's the link to an online student led slideshow-blog tour of the Evergreen State College sustainable farm/Center for Ecological Living program.

image from Evergreen College Organic Farm program (CELL)

Sometimes You Get So Busy on the Computer, You (Almost) Forget Where Outside's At

2010-04-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Young people are busy everywhere on the island turning over soil, planting and growing. Here's Scott's GREAT blog over at Heritage Farm CSA. Pages of great little pictures & stories. And then there's Zac's blog about cooking as a passion, and farmworking and pushing into the the unknown - with recipes! There are so many new and returning interns and farmworkers showing up this spring - like flowers, it gives us hope, big time. If you scroll down at right to Island Grown Links, to many of the island farms, (Margaret's Thousand Flower Farm blog is always fun to read), you can see what everybody's up to this Spring!

2010-04-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

"Good Food" Documentary
Free screening and presentation, sponsored by Land & Sea,
With filmmakers Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin
at San Juan Conference Room, Friday Harbor House Hotel -
130 West St. Friday Harbor WA
Friday April 23rd at 8:30 pm and
Saturday April 24th at 2 pm and 8 pm
Presentation Free to the Public. Limited seating. (room capacity 70)
Everyone invited - No Purchase Necessary.
Venue courtesy of Friday Harbor House Hotel, and as at all Land & Sea free screenings, we will be serving free popcorn.

Dining before the film? Lunch and dinner featuring local food is available for purchase at the Bluff Restaurant at Friday Harbor House, Fri/Sat 11-10pm, Tues - Thurs 11-9pm
Mention Land & Sea/Slow Food at the Friday Harbor House, or at Compost It! in downtown Friday Harbor, to receive Bluff Bucks coupons worth 10% off room rates & bottle wine purchases at the Bluff.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS SCREENING: PLEASE SEE THE POST DIRECTLY BELOW.
for other eat local options, go here and here

PLEASE GO TO OUR LAND & SEA ACTIONS PAGE for quick, simple
action you can take to PROTECT THE ORGANIC LABEL FOR BEEF.

2010-04-06T02:09:00.000-07:00

Extra - - - - Please check our Actions page for a critical update on small farms and Senate Bill 510

LAND & SEA SPONSORS screening of "GOOD FOOD" and FILMMAKER TALK, EARTH DAY WEEKEND APRIL 23 & 24

R: Vojkovich family, Skagit River Ranch

Filmmakers Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin will appear along with their acclaimed documentary film “Good Food”, showing April 23rd and 24th, Fri. and Sat. at the Friday Harbor House Hotel and Bluff Restaurant. (For more info on Friday Harbor House, scroll down this post.)

"Good Food" will be presented FREE to the public both days as part of Land & Sea chapter's ongoing informal film fest/teach in.

"Good Food" visits producers, farmers’ markets, distributors, stores, restaurants and public officials who are developing a more sustainable food system for all. Featuring number of Washington state and Pacific Northwest sustainable and organic farmers, the film was an official selection at both the UNAFF (United Nations Association Film Festival) and SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival)!

Pacific Northwest farms and farmers seen in the film include Billy Allstot and Stephanie Blackstead of Tonasket, Blue Heron Farm, Hilario Alvarez, and Doc, Connie and Travis Hatfield, founders of Country Natural Beef - the marketing cooperative of family ranchers.

Filmmaker Melissa Young wrote "I think the Skagit River Ranch folks on the [film] poster, Eiko, George and Daughter Nicole Vojkovich, use the same mobile slaughter unit as some of the farmers in the San Juan islands".

(That would be the nation's first mobile unit, pioneered by Lopez farmer Bruce Dunlop and Lopez Island's Lopez Community Land Trust! The unit travels to both Skagit and San Juan counties).

On response to the film - Melissa tells us an organizer at a recent showing told her "Thank you so much for your great work for the community and the planet. I was inspired!"

Other reviews:

"Good Food" is an exciting, thoughtful and provocative movie that asks -- and answers -- the question: what could life look like if we really wanted to have healthy food for healthy communities? The film tells inspiring stories of not just what is possible, but what is really happening on the ground and in the ground to restore our farms, our health, and our families and communities."
Richard Conlin, Seattle City Council President, author of Local Food Action Initiative

Chef Thierry Rautureau of Rover’s Restaurant, Seattle wrote “I’m very, very excited about Good Food, a documentary that will help us understand and promote sustainable agriculture".

More film reviews can be found here .

photo below, right: Doc, Connie and Travis Hatfield, founders of the marketing cooperative of family ranchers, Country Natural Beef

above, left: Farmer Hilario Alvarez shows off his colorful strings of peppers. Photos Melissa Young
Location of the free screening and filmmakers presentation:
the beautiful new San Juan Room at the Friday Harbor House Hotel and Bluff Restaurant and Bar.
This lovely room has the latest a-v equipment including drop-down screen, and features art of the Pacific Northwest and a large fireplace.

These screenings and filmmaker presentation are free to the public, thanks to the generosity of the Friday Harbor House and a tip from Ian Byington,
Thanks, Ian, and Thanks to Lisa, Wendy, Michael, and Joseph of Friday Harbor House!

Showtimes:

Friday evening, April 23rd at 8:30 pm
Sat. April 24th, at 2pm
Sat. April 24th at 8 pm

Land & Sea chapter recommends you consider dinner reservations at Friday Harbor House's incredible restaurant, the Bluff, before or after the film, (360-378-8455).
Or, stop in for appetizers and a glass of wine at the new Bluff Bar, situated to look out over the dining room and across the gorgeous bluff view of the harbor and Brown, Shaw, and Orcas islands in the distance. There are astonishing bargains in the happy hour "Beat the Tide" specials Tues - Sat.

Mention Land & Sea or Slow Food at the Friday Harbor House, or at Compost It! in downtown Friday Harbor to receive Bluff Bucks coupons worth 10% off room rates & bottle wine purchases at the Bluff.

The Bluff Restaurant at Friday Harbor House's affordable menu features a large number of San Juan Islands' farmers, fishermen, and food artisans. Dinner, lunch and appetizer plates showcase freshness and incredible flavors. The wine list is carefully selected. Delicious flavors and value are both well represented.
Chef Joseph Foriska, new to Friday Harbor House this year, is great talent in the kitchen and has a sommelier's knowledge of wines to pair with both small plates, meals, and desserts.
We love him because he places a great emphasis on going out to work one on one with the producers on our island to bring the best of what they offer to his kitchen, his dining room, and to our community. He knows farmers and fishermen well after years working in such great island restaurants as Roche Harbor's McMillan Room and Madrona Grill, and Duck Soup. We've seen his dedication to finding and using the best of what the island has to offer.
When you taste this food, you'll know where his heart is.

We're incredibly lucky to have so many extraordinary farm products available to our community within just a few miles of where they grew or were made, from artisan cheeses to heritage tomatoes, grass fed meats to shellfish and seafood, that simply cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

With our location and climate, and because we have an agricultural and fishing community putting great effort into farming and fishing sustainably and bringing the best to their customers, we can find vegetables, fruits, honey, eggs, milk, wheat and flour, grass fed beef and poultry, pork, lamb. shellfish, seafood - soup to nuts - lovely and robustly healthy foods whose production both feeds us and at the same time enriches our topsoils, protects our water sources, encourages fair labor practices and improves our economy.
The islands are nothing short of of bountiful when age old care and common sense are put back to work!

That's what the film "Good Food" is all about - wonderful things happening now all over the Pacific Northwest -
Don't miss the opportunity to see it!

Colorful produce at a NW farmers market. Photo by Mary Embleton, Cascade Harvest Coalition

Some of the many San Juan Islands farmers and fishers featured on Bluff Restaurant and Bar menu include:
Sweetwater Farms
Barlow Bay Shellfish
Motorboat Farms
Nick and Sara Jones/Jones Family Farm - oysters, clams, grass fed pastured beef and pork
Layne Sundberg/Quail Croft - hard cheeses/dhevre
Mark/Bakery San Juan - breads, rolls, sandwich buns
Lisa and Rex Guard - lamb
Guard Sundstrom - lamb
Lopez Island Ice Cream
Matt and Maureen Marinkovich/Matt's Fresh Fish - halibut/salmon
Pelindaba Farm - organic culinary lavender

Joseph also let us know that:
Dungeness crab is caught sustainably off the Oregon Coast
Lamb when not available on island is from small farmers in Ellensburg, WA

We are hoping to have some of the farmers and producers represented on the menu present for movie showings - please check back for updates on that.

San Juan Room and view from Bluff - courtesy Friday Harbor House

The current menu at the Bluff:
http://www.fridayharborhouse.com/dining/menu.php

Land & Sea encourages you to patronize other San Juan Islands restaurants serving locally produced ingredients and supporting our local farm community. Click here for a complete list of the many San Juan County producers and restaurants carrying local foods which bear the delightful Islands Certified Local stamp, including Coho Restaurant, the new and very affordable Pablito's Tamales, the Duck Soup Inn, Roche Harbor's McMillan's on San Juan Island, Inn at Ship Bay on Orcas, and Vortex and the Bay Cafe on Lopez.

Check at right for links to local island producers, or go to our Island Grown list.

Traveling from off-island to see this great film? Would you like to make a weekend of it? For reservations at Friday Harbor House, click here.
Mention "Slow Food" when making a room reservation for 10% off rates.

Also, check this page for upcoming info on island farm tours, chicken coop tours, and other farm and food events on this and other weekends.

For other island accommodations, try Nichols Street Suites, Harrison House B&B and Tucker House Suites , States Inn, Roche Harbor Resort, Longhouse B &B, and Bird Rock and Earth Box Hotels, also serving products from local farms. Check here for campgrounds and hostels.

Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to see a great film all about our Pacific Northwest friends and neighbors!

Also featured - the short film by Orcas Island film maker Mike Hurwicz "Where is Tomorrow's Farmer?". A number of San Juan Island farmers and farm interns appear in this film, which was shown in the WA State house caucus last month before the vote on the Farm Intern Bill 6349. San Juan County-originated 6349 was passed unanamously in the Senate and last month signed into law.

WA STATE GOV. GREGOIRE SIGNS THE FARM INTERN BILL, 6349 INTO LAW 3/21/10!

2010-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Jim Sesby just told us the happy news this morning, and told us he'll send over a photo, but we just can't wait! See the great photo, and great coverage, about this bill on the Island Guardian, here, and SJ Journal, here, online! Isn't this lovely news? Good news for all of us, including the young people who want to learn to be the sustainable farmers who feed us!
Way to go Kevin Ranker, Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC) of San Juan County, and people who called and wrote to help make this happen. It makes us feel optimistic knowing that by making our voices heard we all can make a positive difference!

Internship Bill 6349 needs your help this morning!

2010-02-23T06:56:00.000-08:00

The Farm Internship bill passed the state Senate last week unanimously. For 6349 to get to the Governor's desk to become law, it has to now get through the House committees and back to the Senate.
This morning at 11 am, the Commerce & Labor committee will vote on moving Bill 6349 out of the committee and on through to other comittees and the Senate. Can you contact as many of our state representatives on this Committee as you can this morning,
and let them know 6349 needs to pass?

Rep. Steve Conway, 360-786-7906,Conway.Steve@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Alex Wood, 360-786-7888, Wood.Alex@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Cary Condotta, 360-786-7954, Condotta.Cary@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Bruce Chandler, 360-786-7960, Chandler.Bruce@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Larry Crouse, 360-786-7820, Crouse.Larry@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Tami Green, 360-786-7958, Green.Tami@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Jim Moeller, 360-786-7872, Moeller.Jim@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Brendan Williams, 360-786-7940, Williams.Brendan@leg.wa.gov

Below are some good reasons why full support of SB 6349 is important to establish a
process for internships on small farms in Washington State:

Recent audits of small farm internship practices by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) have raised a serious issue for the small farmers in our state. Washington State labor law doesn't recognize farm internships as a valid worker category unless the
participants are enrolled at a recognized educational institution. Because only a small percentage of farm interns are registered students, the majority of small farms teaching interns are likely not in compliance with L&I's requirements.

Statewide, small farms are becoming increasingly important in maintaining a diverse and sustainable local economy. This bill allows small farms to establish an internship programs for future farmers to pass on crucial vocation knowledge of farming practices and enterprises. SB
6349 is essential for ensuring continued growth in the agricultural industry.

Our state representatives can help farm interns and small family farms, and the communities and economies they are a part of in by voting SB 6349 out of committee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's a link to the latest information available on 6349's progress .
Once you've become involved in your democracy, you may want to watch
what happens to this bill as it makes its journey to become law - here.

Of San Juan Island Wheat Flour, Alfalfa defense, CSA's and Lovely, Lovely Vegetables

2010-02-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

Very Exciting! - Besides letting us know about the Senate passing of WA Senate bill 6349 (see post below), the amazing Eleanor Hartman, along with Anna Spears, at our incredible San Juan Island Food Co Op have what they believe to be the first commercially produced flour grown on San Juan Island in decades, for sale at the Co Op while supplies last. So far, what we know is it's grown by Kim Sundstrom, HERE, and is in 25 lb Fairhaven Flour bags signed by Mr. Sundstrom. They're beautiful!!
We'll post a picture ASAP.
Other great news
In addition to all their other fantastic island growers, the Co Op now has gorgeous Nootka Rose produce in their new glass cooler.

Heritage Farm has sent out this season's letter offering their CSA (see page for contact info).
Synergy Farmstand is open more hours, and we hear they are offering a bio-intensive gardening class to the public.
Uprising Seeds from Acme/Bellingham, just to the east, has their new wonderful little seed catalogue out for this year. They're the first 100% certified organic seed co. in WA state, and have signed the Safe Seed Pledge. This young family writes stories about all their growers so you can be familiar with every place they get their seeds (they have a GREAT web page.)
ORGANIC ALFALFA (WHAT ALL ORGANICALLY RAISED LIVESTOCK, INCLUDING MILK PRODUCERS, EAT) - NEEDS YOUR HELP - NOW! Please go to our Actions page for a more info and links, or directly to this alert.

Also, please contact your WA state Representative about passing bill 6349!

So, how about all those blossoms already on the trees?!!

2010-02-16T23:35:00.001-08:00

Sen. Ranker's (SJI ARC originated) farm internship bill passed WA Senate 46-0

Dear Everyone,
Kevin Ranker just sponsored a bill which will help farmers on the island and throughout the state by changing inappropriate Labor and Industry restrictions for farm interns--this will be HUGELY helpful for farmers, and the local economies they're a part of.
Kevin (with cosponsors Haugen, Holmquist, Hobbs, Becker, Shin, and Roach) helped it pass unanimously 46-0. It's WA SB 6349. Click on the link to read more.

Simply another politician? This is a working man!

Easy things you can do:
1. Write or call Kevin Ranker and thank him & his Senate colleagues! Our county's lucky to have Kevin pulling for us. Without this bill, WA farmers would face almost insurmountable obstacles passing farming skills on to a new generation of willing young farmers. (Please see the video "Where is Tomorrow's Farmer?" for more on this).

By Phone:

Olympia Office: (360) 786-7678

Anacortes Office: (360) 899-5638

By E-mail:

ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov

2. Now, (as of 2/21)
the bill goes to the
House for consideration.
Can you contact our state representatives
on the Commerce & Labor Committee, and tell them this needs to pass?
Rep. Steve Conway, 360-786-7906,Conway.Steve@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Alex Wood, 360-786-7888, Wood.Alex@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Cary Condotta, 360-786-7954, Condotta.Cary@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Bruce Chandler, 360-786-7960, Chandler.Bruce@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Larry Crouse, 360-786-7820, Crouse.Larry@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Tami Green, 360-786-7958, Green.Tami@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Jim Moeller, 360-786-7872, Moeller.Jim@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Brendan Williams, 360-786-7940, Williams.Brendan@leg.wa.gov

Our local farmers provide us with food security, contribute more and more to our local economy, are a crucial part of disaster preparedness and homeland security, and most importantly, build the health of our island soil, water, and people.

We understand the bill originated in our county's hard-working Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC). 6349 will help the local family farms that are such an important part of our economy (contributions like this are another reason why it is so important that our county ARC is funded).
Can you really make a difference? Many worked hard to make this happen for WA communities, including Jim Sesby, who gave compelling testimony at the Senate Hearings in Olympia. Matt Marinkovich also wrote a great letter in support of this bill.

People speaking up really makes a difference!
You can make a difference!

Our salmon runs are also immensely important - check this Compost It blog page for important news on fish farms.

Photos courtesy of Becky Bolt, Heritage Farm, and Washington State

Land & Sea Film Festival!!! (Corrected Date for Tues - it's Jan 26th, 6:30 pm)

2010-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

(Want to read about the new "Food Safety" bills in Congress? Go to Nov. 10th post at Land & Sea's Action page for more info. Very important.)
For a printable list of where to buy local in SJ islands, go here.

Hi Everyone! Back to what's happening right here on San Juan island:

Free showing of "Food, Inc."! Check just below, by the popcorn picture, for that.
First, very important news, from Anna Spears & Eleanor Hartmann in the S J Community Co-op weekly letter, about keeping the family farmers in business who stock our shelves with produce, and keep us in meat, poultry, milk & eggs. From Anna & Eleanor:
"There are some major moves being made by state Senator Ranker this week regarding internships on small farms. Interns are a crucial part to helping to sustain the vitality of our small farms .... For more information... and to make your voice heard visit http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6349&year=2009".
when Anna says this is crucial, she is not exaggerating.

Please read Matt Marinkovich's great letter about this here.

We're starting off the first annual, semi informal, all free Land & Sea Film Festival-teach in with "Food, Inc." at the public Activities Room in lovely Village at The Harbour. This is a great chance to take a look at the center, and also have free! organic butter topped or virgin olive oil sprinkled organic popcorn and see this very good movie free!
Show's at 6:30 pm on Friday Jan 22 and again at 6:30 Tues the 26th.
Address: 543 Spring St. (entrance across from the medical center). Activities director at the Village Deanna Osborne and Seannene Kennedy have opened their room to us to make both these free showings possible. Thanks Seannene and Deanna!

Look ahead to more free showings : "Food, Inc.", "The World According to Monsanto", "The Real Dirt on Farmer John", "Flow", a movie we loved, also highly recommended to us by Becky B. and Gogo Green , "Tapped" - recommended by Stephanie Prima-Sarantopoulus, "The Future of Food", "Farmed Salmon Exposed", everyone's favorite "King Corn" and the ever popular "Super Size Me"!
All films will feature delicious hot buttered, (or olive oiled, or ...) popcorn until we run out! We'll also plan to show what looks to be another great movie Ryan Browne just sent a clip of, "Garbage Warrior". Send us your suggestions!

Keep checking this space or the SJ Update, the Island Guardian, SJ Islander, and possibly the Journal for dates. We'll also update you with a note if you're on our email list - just drop us a line at slowfoodlandandsea@gmail.com if you're not on our list & want to be - no need to be a Land & Sea Slow Food member, but you can do that, too if you want. Maureen will keep you up-to date, (but not too frequently), with really good information.

One last thing - look at any food label in your kitchen. Find the name of the company on the label. Get the address off the label or the internet, and shoot them an email or letter, or call to tell them you want their food to be labeled if it is genetically modified, chemically treated, nano particle altered, irradiated or compromised in any way. Tell them, if you don't want these things done to your food.
Companies want you to buy their products. It's that simple. If we ALL tell them, it WILL make change, and fast. Sure, it seems like David v. Goliath at times, but like Laura Love says in the song, Sometimes Davey Wins. And if we all come together, we're actually a pretty big Davey.

LAST DAY! PLEASE COMMENT TO THE DEPT. OF JUSTICE - IT TAKES 1 MINUTE.

2009-12-31T09:16:00.000-08:00

Please add your name to the letter to the US Dept. of Justice. DOJ is holding antitrust hearings and workshops involving corporate control of our food starting in this new year - 2010. They want to hear from you by tonight. Click HERE to simply sign. You can also add a personal note if you like.
And read here about Monsanto and small seed companies. Check out Land & Sea Actions & links at right for much more info. Thanks!

Lovely photos above & just below courtesy of Jeff Vanugal, Lynn Betts, Ron Nichols and the US Natural Resource Conservation Service.

2009-12-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

The Farmer's Market's next Saturday, 1/2/10 in Friday Harbor. Lots & lots of vegetables. apples, cheese for chomping on with crackers, amazing things from the bakeries, all kinds of woolen goods, beautiful soaps you need - really! - well-made artisan items, very healthy grass-fed local beef, pork, lamb - in cuts and sausages, hot coffee... Grab a bag & go!! and get what ever you don't pick up there at the fabulous Co-Op, and the Heritage and Synergy Farmstands, and the States Inn ranch store.

On another subject - If you are one who has a few dollars for investment purposes, Candace and Bruce heard about and sent us links to the Slow Money Alliance. Experienced people initiating an infrastructure & putting together investment in organic, sustainable, and local, within 50 miles of where you live. It is such a good idea, with wonderful possibilities!

During these winter months, the ocean still abides...Can we keep this source of food and life healthy? Matt & Maureen Marinkovich keep a great fish blog with information on what is happening with the local salmon runs...click here. At our highly enjoyable Land & Sea dinner at Marinkovich's two weeks ago, Maureen showed a compelling 20 minute documentary "Farmed Salmon Exposed". We plan to show it again in different free venues in the community, along with showings of the stunning "Food Inc.", the enraging and endearing "King Corn" (great music - that webpage will make you smile. A lot.), and the much-honored and excellent movie, "Flow", in addition to other films, in a film festival featuring delicious hot popcorn. (We will use butter.) We'll keep you updated on that.

Last but not least-
Please look at our Land & Sea Actions page (click here), and take a minute to take a simple action. One, + one + one ... Can make a difference!

THIS IS IMPORTANT - Senate Bill 510 in Congress NOW. "Food Safety Enhancement Act" - Go to link on & under photo)

2009-11-11T00:46:00.000-08:00

SJ Island Cows. Casey Lehman photo

Please take a quick look at the new post on our Actions page - go to LINK HERE. Thanks!
This Senate bill (and House Bill 2749) is being pushed at lightning speed through Congress and is NOT about food safety!!

And we invite you to take a gander at our in-progress Island Grown Produce, Meats, & Seafood page. If you'd like to see someone listed we haven't found yet, please let us know - contact info is on the Island Grown page. We'll soon add our list of individual island farms presently found to the right of this page.

And remember to look for the beautiful Islands Certified Local sticker where you shop and dine!

We'll be posting the invite shortly to an upcoming get together at Marinkovich's to be held the week after Thanksgiving!

STAND BEHIND AMERICAN FAMILY FARMERS

2009-10-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone,
Know your local farmer, and please take a look at our new, printable list-in-progress of where to buy local products (LINK HERE), and our last two posts, below, but first:

We just got a letter from Food Democracy Now. It reads, in part:

"(President) Obama’s first agribusiness selection is Roger Beachy, to be head of the USDA’s newly created National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Beachy is the founding president of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, MO...essentially the non-profit arm of GMO seed giant Monsanto; Monsanto’s CEO sits on its board, and the company provides considerable funding for the Center’s operations.

As the head of the USDA’s new research arm... Beachy is responsible for deciding how U.S. research dollars will be spent in agriculture. Translation: more research on biotech, less research on how to scale sustainable and organic agriculture.

...Beachy has already started work at the USDA, but the next nominee—Islam Siddiqui—still must be confirmed by the U.S.Senate. Siddiqui, the Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs at CropLife America, was recently nominated to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the US Trade Representative.

...When Michele Obama planted her “organic” garden on the White House lawn, Siddiqui’s CropLife MidAmerica sent the First Lady a letter saying that it made them “shudder”... Siddiqui spent over 3 years as a pesticide lobbyist, an Undersecretary at the USDA and a VP at CropLife....he played a key role in helping establish the country’s first organic standards....those original organic standards would have allowed irradiation, sewage sludge and GMOs [genetically modified organisms]... 230,000 people signed a petition for them to be changed, which they eventually were."

A broad coalition of groups around the country including the National Family Farm Coalition, Institute of Agriculture & Trade Policy, and Center for Food Safety is calling on President Obama to keep his campaign promise of closing the revolving door between agribusiness and his administration.
To visit our Actions You Can Take Now page for more information, go here.

This is not about left or right.
Corporations have not been dealing fairly with the American family farmer.
Until they do, to keep providing food that is healthy for you and your family, and healthy for the planet, America's family farmer needs a big voice in government. Your voice.
Please click here to add your voice.

Lastly - Thanks Land & Sea kids for showing up rain or shine (rain!) for the outdoor Matt M. fish fillet demonstration. What tasty little morsels of fish! Matt's a good cook! We'll do it again.
Plans are also in the works for more showings of "Food, Inc." and a general Land & Sea get together. More posted soon on that.

Top photos: San Juan Islands farm products, courtesy of Becky Bolt.
Bottom photo: Matt Marinkovich

KNOW YOUR FOOD - KNOW YOUR FARMER

2009-10-24T01:47:00.000-07:00

Above, the cream-colored center of the Northwest Ozette potato.
Link to printable list of where to find local farmers' products is here now...(Also check out links to the right, and look for local meat and fish, specifically, one post down)

Want to make a little commitment to yourself?......Maybe choose a number, and copy & post this on your fridge:

I'll commit, to myself, to spend ______ of my food budget every week on products from our local island farmers and fishers. If I can consistently support our local food producers, they will be there when I need them!

The money spent here in our community stays to circulate again and build our economy.
And since our bodies are built from the foods we eat, when I eat food grown on the island, local island land and waters will actually be a part of what I'm made of!

FRIDAY NIGHT - 6 PM - MULLIS CENTER

2009-10-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

We just got a reminder from Jane Burton Bell - (also mentioned today in SJ Update by Ryan Browne of Earthlore):
Michael Ableman of Salt Spring Island (one of the Vancouver island farmers interviewed in the film "Island on the Edge") will talk about "Thinking Like an Island" at a potluck of local foods, Friday at Mullis Center in Friday Harbor. There's a suggested donation of $10, though no one will be denied a ticket. You can bring a tasty dish, and you can bring all your friends!!!
If you'd like to read some of Michael's essays, go to this link. Thanks again Jane and Rebecca Moore for bringing Michael here!!

ANOTHER great opportunity - at least until it all gets eaten! - The Fabulous Kallari Chocolate Bars are back!!! Maureen has the handmade, handwrapped, incredible Kallari Chocolate in the beautiful wrappers back in at Compost it!! Kallari is organic chocolate, grown and made from bean to bar by the Kichwa farmers and families of the Kallari Chocolate Cooperative in Ecuador. It has been called the "best chocolate on Earth". Maureen also carries Kallari handcrafts. Go here and here for story and links. The bars Maureen carries are made in the smaller factory located in the high mountains, where the bars are handpoured and handwrapped - Although the larger bars are available at Whole Foods, Maureen is the only retailer we know of that carries these smaller bars outside of Ecuador! Kallari chocolate is chemical-free, and the money you spend on it goes to make positive change in the world.
For information on interning in Ecuador with Kallari, go here.

And, go here to read more from Maureen and Matt about commercial fishing AK and Puget Sound waters, and our about our local wild salmon.

Matt and halibut

- Thanks, Island Guardian on-line news and San Juan Islander on-line news, for the permanent links to Land & Sea!

Remember to join the San Juan Community Co Op grocery store this month!! It is a great place to shop!! We hear they have an updated page coming soon - check the current one for contact info, and non - member hours!

And check out links in the post below for where to buy healthy and delicious, San Juan Islands raised, grass fed meats and local wild seafoods! Know your local farmer and fisher!

JUST SEE "FOOD, INC." AT THE PALACE? WHERE TO BUY LOCAL MEAT & SEAFOOD, LISTED BELOW... And, our FEATURED FARMER:

2009-10-12T18:50:00.000-07:00

*Our Featured Farmer is Layne Sundberg, the artisan cheese maker behind the incredible Quail Croft soft and hard aged cheeses!!!
Buy Layne's cheese from the sources listed below, & find Quail Croft in fresh made raviolis from San Juan Pasta (SJ Co op), and in delicious recipes you can use from Synergy Farm Recipe page!

Where to Buy LOCAL MEATS, POULTRY & SEAFOOD
(go to more complete list as of 10/27/09 by clicking here)

Friday Harbor Farmer’s Market: island lamb, beef, pork, sausage, poultry, seafood, *cheese*

San Juan Island Food Co Op: local grass fed lamb, pork, beef hamburger , sausages, local canned albacore, cheese (in freezer)*

Island Grown Farmers Cooperative (IGFC): grass fed pastured lamb, pork, beef, goat, sausage, hamburger, cheese*

Island Certified Local (ICL): grass fed pastured lamb, pork, beef, hamburger, sausages, seafood

Heritage Farm Stand: grass fed pastured lamb, pork, beef, sausages, hamburger, *cheese

Synergy Farm Stand: grass fed pastured lamb, pork, beef, hamburger, sausages, poultry, local canned albacore tuna, *cheese

Kings: Jones Family Farm/Barlow Bay Fish Company oysters, smoked salmon, and clams, *Quail Croft cheese

Matt's Fresh Fish: all wild local salmon species available seasonally, all caught by Matt
Westcott Bay Seafarms: oysters, mussels, clams
Barlow Bay Fish Company (Nick & Sara Jones) 3 varieties of clams, 3 varieties of oysters, wild local salmon smoked
LaCrover Farm: organic pastured chicken
Guard Sundstrom Fir Oak Farm:
grass fed USDA inspected pastured lamb and beef. IGFC processed 3106 San Juan Valley Road
firoakfarm@rockisland.com
*Layne Sundberg: grass fed pastured goat and lamb, delicious hard aged and lovely, creamy soft Quail Croft cheeses. Hours: call for appointment (360) 378-5764
Available at SJI Co Op, SJ Farmers Market, Kings
Synergy Farm: organic pastured chicken
Rob Waldron Raven Gap Farm: grass-fed USDA inspected pastured lamb and beef. IGFC processed. Available at SJI Co op, SJ Farmers Market
Jones Family Farm / Lopez Homestead Farm:
emailto:lopezhomesteadfarm@igfcmeats.com USDA grass fed beef, goat, pork, poultry clams oysters salmon. Member IGFC 360-468-0533
Lopez Island Farm: grass fed pastured lamb and pork. Member IGFC
email: lopezislandfarm@igfcmeats.com 360-468-4620
Skagit River Ranch: organic grass fed pastured USDA beef pork lamb chicken. Member IGFC 360-856-0722
Mitchell Bay Farm and Nursery: organic grass fed pastured lamb - custom cuts, burger, sausage. ICL, member IGFC. mailto:mitchellbayfarm@igfcmeats.com
360-378-2309
ZLazyJ Farm: organic pastured pork email: zlazyjfarm@igfcmeats.com
Sweet Grass Farm: organic grass fed pastured Kobe beef . Member IGFC
360-468-4450
Red Gate Farm: pastured locker lamb
Synergy Farm: pastured organic chicken
One Clay Hill Farm: IGFC pastured grass fed lamb
Saddleback Ranch: pastured grass fed lamb
Ten Four Farm: beef - Local grass fed beef - limited quantity by split or half avail. mid-Nov. Jeanne Turner 514 Kiehl Rd, Friday Harbor.378-3195

We see in the sanjuanislander that island-grown Certified Organic Cashup Wheat is available at 360-378-6395! We hear this type of soft Winter Wheat is perfect for pastry! Add a little butter, made yourself from fresh Heritage Farm cream, and spread with soft cheese from Quail Croft!

Don't forget!!
Michael Ableman, the Salt Spring Island farmer, internationally acclaimed writer, speaker, photographer, practitioner of sustainable agriculture and proponent of regional food systems will talk about "Thinking Like an Island" at a potluck of local foods. Fri, 10/23. 6 pm Mullis Center. Donation $10 suggested, though no one will be denied a ticket. Bring a tasty dish, but mostly - bring yourself and your friends!
Tickets: Farmer's Mkt., Griffin Bay Books, Market Chef
Contact Jane janeburtonbell@hotmail.com and Rebecca bluemoonproduce@gmail.com for questions -
Sponsors: SJI AG Guild & SJ Farmer's Mkt.

Two more days (until 10/15) for the join-for-any-contribution offer from Slow Food USA!!!
Any size donation makes you a member - take part in supporting the work for biodiversity, sustainable farmers, and fair treatment of all the people who grow our food, also known as
Good, Clean, and Fair!

"FOOD, INC." TO PLAY THE PALACE THEATRE THIS WEEK - MATINEES!

2009-10-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Manager Aaron King at the Palace Theater tells us the movie we've been hearing so much about, "FOOD, INC." will be playing matinees this week , starting Friday
(call 370-5666 for showtimes)

We'll have handouts on where to buy local available to viewers by Sat. (Also, check links at right for info on island farmers and farmstands.)

Tell your friends and make an outing of it -

See "Food, Inc." this weekend, and know and support your local farmer!! (See links at right for more info on that!)
And thank you, Aaron! (We asked, he got it - what a guy!)

Also, remember that incredible Salt Spring Island farmer from "Island on the Edge"? (Borrow the DVD from the library - it is great!) -Well, we'll post about this again later, but we just got a note from Jane Burton Bell at the Ag Guild:
"Could you post the info about the Michael Ableman
talk, 'Thinking Like an Island' to your blog? Here’s the scoop:
A harvest potluck of local foods at the
Mullis Centre at 6 pm on Friday, October 23rd will be followed by a talk
by Salt Spring farmer, writer, speaker and photographer, Michael Ableman.
For more information on Michael, please see www.fieldsofplenty.com.
Prepare to be inspired by this proponent of sustainable agriculture and
regional food systems!
Tickets at: SJI Farmers Market, Market Chef, and Griffin Bay Books.
Suggested ticket price is $10, though no one will be denied a ticket.
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Moore bluemoonproduce@gmail.com or
Jane Burton Bell janeburtonbell@hotmail.com
Sponsored by the SJI Ag Guild and SJI Farmers’ Market."

Aren't we lucky? Thank you Rebecca and Jane!!

Ian at San Juan Update, Jack at the Island Guardian,
Sharon at San Juan Islander & Richard at the Journal; thanks for your links to our page,
and also your work keeping islanders up to date!

"Island On the Edge" DVD Now Available at SJI Library!

2009-10-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you Eliza Buck, SJI ARC & AG Guild, and SJI Library for the presentation of the film "Island on the Edge" and visit by director Nick Versteeg and his wife and partner Elly Versteeg.
What a great, moving documentary, and what incredibly valuable information! If you weren't lucky enough to be at the presentation last night - please go to the library and borrow this film. The film is also available here.
It would not be a surprise to hear that people here are watching this movie over and over; as someone commented at the showing tonight, "This movie is about us." Please watch it, and see what they mean.

On another subject...
Slow Food USA's reduced membership fee offer is extended through Oct. 15: If you want to join Slow Food - check our 9/27 post (below). Any amount donation to Slow Food USA makes you a Slow Food USA member. Donations until 10/15 are being matched by supporter Mr. Donald Sussman, & are tax-deductable. They fund the programs listed on the 9/27 post, and many others. Slow Food USA and International sites have details. This is such a good deal we wanted to let you know about it.

Link to Backyard Chicken.
Link to chicken coop plans
photo by Bill Cobos

Fun at the Library! Watch this Movie!!

2009-09-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 3rd at 6:30 pm there will be a screening of the film "Island on the Edge" and a discussion with director Nick Versteeg. What a great way to spend a cozy Fall evening!
"Island on the Edge" takes a look at how dependent our close neighbor Vancouver Island is on the mainland for food, and what could happen if the transportation of food was cut off - and how island residents can strengthen their local agricultural resources!
The SJI Ag Guild of the San Juan Islands, the SJ County ARC, Lopez Comm. Land Trust, Orcas Pub. Library, & SJI Library are all co-sponsors.
Thanks, Eliza Buck, of the Economic Development Council, for letting us know about this timely movie and this chance to see it and meet the director at a fun evening at our lovely local Library!
(Also showing 6:30 Fri. at Lopez Comm. Center, and 6:30 Sun. at Orcas Pub. Library!)

While we're thinking about it...Do you know you can get your Food Handler's Card at the SJ Health Dept. for just 10$? It takes about 45 minutes on their computer, anytime between 8:00-1:00 M-F, go here for details. With a food handler's card, you can serve food, and also give Eleanor a hand packaging the bulk items at fabulous San Juan Island Food Co-Op!

In case you missed it on Ian's San Juan Island Update, today's the last day of Wed Farmers market for this year.
Nootka Rose has incredible, beautiful vegetables and fruit, and they're across from the courthouse from before 3 - 6 pm today, just in time for dinner grocery shopping.

QUICK NOTE

2009-09-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

We know we mentioned this in our Sept. 2nd post, but it's such a great deal...In case you missed it,
for just 3 more days, (until 9/30/09) you can

Donate any amount = Become a Slow Food Member!
Update - offer extended until Oct. 15!

Can you be a part of all that Slow Food can do? Go to this link to see more on programs Slow Food USA runs. Go here to read about International programs. We especially like the Foundation for Biodiversity, the Presidia, Terra Madre, and the RAFT and Ark of Taste. In addition to a publishing and travel arm, Slow Food also runs University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo and Collorno, Italy offering graduate, undergraduate and masters Degrees, along with being very effective working both at the political and grass-roots levels.

Our chapter has never before asked anyone to become or re-up their membership, but this is a great opportunity. You should know about it.

Until September 2009 ends, a gift of any size will make you a member of Slow Food USA.
Give more if you can, less if you can't.
Membership rates will return to $60 on October 1st.

It's a great way to re-up your new membership. Or become a member for the 1st time.
Any size donation = one year membership = no strings attached.

Your membership is not automatically renewed next year, and you do not end up getting all kinds of mailings, or anything like that.

Click here for more info.

Go here to go directly to the online membership form.

If you do it now, you won't forget.

Slow Food is really getting things done, good things, and they can use your help.

Photo and illustration above from Fedco Seeds and Acme Washington's own Uprising Seeds.
Fedco's taking orders until 9/30/09 (and beginning again Jan '10) and Uprising has garlic in now. Both are completely GMO free seed suppliers, a rarity.
Bountiful Gardens is another good source. Our B.C. neighbors on Salt Spring Island, Salt Spring Seeds, is also a great site to look at, with fantastic info and links, though they cannot ship seeds across the US border.

Scroll down our links at far right for, among other things, more info on seeds and starts.

Photo at right: the owners and founders of Uprising Seeds and Uprising Organics

They carry Inchelium Red Garlic, a variety from the Colville reservation in WA, (grown by Sowing Seed Farm in Twisp), which has been listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste.
Uprising Seeds received a Betsy Lydon Ark Award from Slow Food in 2008.

One more thing...

Here's a link to details on how the Quillisascut Farm workshop went- (attended by one of our own Youth interns, see 9/02 post below), from Slow Food Seattle's site, written by by workshop assistant Amy Grondin. Look for Youth intern Cheyenne in the group photo!

HEY LAND & SEA YOUTH AND ALL FRIENDS! DINNER TONIGHT AT MARINKOVICH'S FAB COB OVEN!

2009-09-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

Guess what? Another fairly last-minute no time to plan, pizza party with the beloved cob oven. Bring your favorite topping. We will have the dough, sauce, and cheese.
We want to get the Slow Food Land and Sea Youth together. We know this a school night so we will respect the cooking schedule so you can skedaddle back to the books and to reasonable bedtime, etc. Cooking starts at 5:30 - on.
Bring your parental units! Bring a friend who might be interested in this group. It is open to youth, and cob oven pizza loving friends of all ages!!
To get to Marinkovich's: drive out Cattle Pt. Rd, turn right at Portland Fair, right again at Treeline Drive, and then right again at the wooden "Think Fish" fish sign, then park.
Look for our contact info at bottom of this page for more detailed directions, questions, etc.
Thanks!!!

Photos of Two Fantastic Interns, and Wonderful Local Farmer Layne Sundberg

2009-09-02T22:28:00.000-07:00

Last Spring, Layne Sundberg, producer of delicious Quail Croft Cheese (available at the SJI Co Op, the Farmers Market, Heritage Farm Store, Synergy Farm Store, Kings, and from Layne), asked if we could help find a few local interns who wanted to learn to work with goats and learn about milk and cheese. We were lucky enough to come across Cheyenne Cook and Aaron Kendzoriak, two island young people attending Friday Harbor High. Cheyenne and Aaron have been with Layne now through spring and the summer. Cheyenne just started Senior year at FHHS, while Aaron is starting his first classes at Skagit Comm. College here on the island, with plans to go on in farming and college. Aren't we lucky to have such great kids here, and someone like hardworking Layne (who also worked many years at Friday Harbor Elem, and has seen many of our kids grow from little sprouts to young adults) to help guide them!

IN ADDITION,
in August, intern Cheyenne spent a week at Quillisascut Teaching Farm in Rice, WA, learning more about cheese making, beekeeping, poultry, and other farm skills, including cooking, in a week-long Slow Food intensive workshop hosted by Lora Lea Misterly of Quillisascut. Chey attended with about 7 other young people from throughout the state. Part of the workshop tuition was provided through a scholarship made to the farm. The rest of the tuition was provided by a generous donor from our own island to our chapter, towards something to help our local kids. The lovely Ms. Cook came back happy, enthusiastic, and with many great stories to tell.
Our Slow Food Chapter was able to send Chey because of the efforts of chef Kim Bast of Lopez island - one of our members and an instructor at the Quillisascut workshop.
Thank you Kim, and Lora Lea, for letting us know about the reduced cost, saving us the spot, and for all your time and efforts!
And Thank you, Rikki!
At this time, it is possible that, through another generous anonymous island donation, we may be able to send 2 or more other young people to Quillisascut next year.

Our Land & Sea Youth Club will soon be gearing up for the school year, open to all interested kids! Events and meetings will be posted at school, and here. Go to the Land & Sea Youth link at for photos of some of our activities, and scroll down our links at right for a slideshow of a workshop at Steps Wine Bar and Cafe (where the food is incredibly delicious, affordable, and very, very local) with Chef/Owner Madden Surbaugh.
Our upcoming Youth Club activity will be pizza in the cob oven!

In other news, our co-leader, marvelous Maureen Marinkovich, has a short survey on her Compost It blog to gather info. It's for a young gal who's thinking of raising rabbits, to help gauge interest in her venture. Maureen's blog is always full of entertaining stories and great info on everything from island chickens to educating reports on the Sockeye and other salmon runs and availability of fresh fish, in addition to rich rabbit research. Also, click on the link to sign up for the fish list, and you'll be first to hear when Matt will be in town with the freshest of fresh caught salmon.
Maureen has also posted the YouTube version of Mike Hurwicz's new film "Where Is Tomorrow's Farmer?"
Ian at San Juan Update, and Richard at the San Juan Journal have got this great video posted, too, with great articles alongside! Yay!
Update 9/13/09: The movie was also featured for a time on sanjuanislander.com. Also, currently great coverage of our interns, and Mike's movie, can be found in the Island Guardian!
Thank you Ian, Richard, Sharon, and Jack for this and all you do to keep us up and informed!

Remember - don't miss the last of those beautiful blackberries! (Freeze them on a cookie sheet, pour them into a bag, put them back in the freezer, then break them out in the middle of winter! Yum-Yum!)

CHECK OUT THIS NEW VIDEO "WHERE IS TOMORROW'S FARMER?", SHOT ENTIRELY ON SAN JUAN ISLAND!

2009-09-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

We just this note from our friend, filmmaker Mike Hurwicz of Orcas Island: " I am happy and excited to inform you that we have completed a ten-minute video, "Where Is Tomorrow's Farmer?", that includes footage of the Farmers Market, Thirsty Goose Farm, Heritage Farm and the Community Garden at Ackley's Corner."

The entire video, 'Where Is Tomorrow's Farmer?', was shot on San Juan Island. It looks at the issue of bringing younger people into sustainable farming, and features commentary from island farmers and other community members who know how important it is that we all look at the value of of this kind of work, and how important it is that the age-old knowledge of how to feed ourselves is retained and passed on.

We'd like as many people in the community as possible to see it. So, send a link to your friends, and when you see Jim Lawrence, Jim Sesby, Bequin, and the other farmers and community members who are in this video, strike up a conversation, and see if there's a way you can take part in giving our kids an opportunity to carry on this important and rewarding work in our community.
Mike says "You can link to it in two places...On youtube:

...or, in all its high-definition glory:
http://www.greendept.com/tf/
The above can take quite a while to load, but hopefully it will then
play without interruption.The youtube version is better for lower speed connections. It loadsfaster, though the visual quality isn't as good."

And, another program here that also can help get kids introduced to animals and agriculture (if the budget doesn't get cut) is the local 4H - lots of our children and young adults go through beef, dairy, poultry, lamb, swine, and other facets of this program primarily run by amazing, devoted volunteers, and they do their best to give any kid who wants to a chance to raise an animal or learn about farming whether they live on farmland or not, and they are very open to teaching sustainable farming methods (and will listen to new ideas, and can always use the help from new leaders and volunteers). A lot of 4H kids leave the island, but might not if it was a little easier to work on our island in farming ...
Click here for their website, or call coordinator Cindy Gauthier at 370-7662 if you would like to participate in their programs, or would like to find out about being a leader and starting a program with them.

Speaking of young people, our Slow Food Youth intern Cheyenne just got back from a week at Quillisascut Farm. More info and pictures about the trip in the next post!

Happy berry picking - get those delicious ripe blackberries before the next rain!

IMPORTANT P.S. - HAPPY NEWS!
For the month of September, you can become a member of Slow Food USA by making ANY SIZE - large or small - donation to Slow Food USA, no strings attached! (Usual membership fee is 60$) Click here for the page on benefits, and to join.

FAIR WEEK

2009-08-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

...so everybody is busy!! Matt Marinkovich is back from fishing in Alaska and will be doing a demonstration at the Fair on Friday at 11 in the Ag Tent in the heart of the fairgrounds, with King Salmon from Bellingham Bay. Check out Matt's new blog, Matt's Fresh Fish, and the many fantastic Ag Tent demonstrations here. From Marinkovich fish list email:

"Matt is back from fishing. I have made a little blog for him so you can keep updated on your local fisherman. I have posted a video about sea lice. It is animated and fun for the whole family. Everyone should watch it. It is quite possibly one of the main reasons for the low abundance of Frasier River sockeye. There are masses of fish farms directly in the migratory path of small fry heading out to sea. The San Juan Island sockeye are part of the Frasier River run so we depend on healthy stocks for a commercial fishery down here. Alas, abundance is very low so we will not be fishing for sockeye in the Puget Sound this year. Matt has brought home Bristol Bay sockeye that he caught this year. This is available to you. Matt went fishing last night in Bellingham Bay and caught a couple of King Salmon, not enough for all of us yet, but there is a way to taste this fish. Matt is doing a fillet demonstration at 11:00 a.m. at the Ag Tent on Friday of the fair so that is a good time to watch and learn and hopefully taste a snippet of heaven. Madden Surbaugh will be also be serving Matt's fish in his restaurant, Steps. This provides you with a great opportunity to eat local local. Money is precious and should be spent wisely. Eating at Steps is money well-spent. Take time to go out and eat a special meal at Steps and support our community!"

Madden always serves locally grown food and always works hard to support local agriculture at Steps Cafe (and Wine Bar) (directions, map). He has great new daily specials, a new happy hour with burgers and tacos (!), and serves lunch across the walkway at the Naked Bean coffee shop. (map)

More about fishing - comment period just ended to open up the Gulf of Mexico to fish farming, but you can still contact your legislators now about how this dangerous practice needs to end. As you can see from Maureen's note above, this is affecting us all. Let's take care of Mother Earth.
Read more here from Food and Water Watch.

A lot is happening in our government regarding food and water regulations including fisheries - but that's not all - while we are busy with summer. We will be posting about bills such as H.R. 2749 which just passed the House and is to go on to the Senate soon. A great blog from a CSA farmer in Texas - Home Sweet Farm - with some great links on the new Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR 2749 text).
What's happening to the Frasier sockeye is an example of what happens when we don't have a chance to pay attention.
Contacting your legislators can be crucial.

What a great place we live in!

2009-08-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

Blackberries are getting ripe...
Hi - We'll be posting soon (after the fair) with pictures - in the meantime:
Going to the mainland for a summer outing (restocking supplies, doing errands, and trying to make that ferry)? Love the Skagit Co-op and Tacos Guaymas, but want to have a change of pace for breakfast or lunch? In old Burlington, there is the Cafe Burlington. It looks like a regular coffee shop, but is something special. Sit down in one of the booths or at the counter, or outside tables, and look at the menu - Besides great milkshakes and a large coffee shop selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you'll see that their beef is from Skagit River Ranch (organic), and eggs, poultry and produce and the rest of the menu is organic, and purchased locally whenever possible, which means often. They also have excellent espresso, and did I say milkshakes? - the good kind? All the food is very good, the place is good looking, the atmosphere is coffee shop friendly - I like that. Here's their webpage. To get there, continue east on 20 (instead of heading right towards the malls and Costco at the light, go left after going under the I -5 overpass, map); then turn right on Fairhaven. The cafe is a couple blocks down, on the left and looks like - that's right - a happy little coffee shop. The owners have been cooking local and organic at Cafe Burlington since 2004! And this part of old small town Burlington has a number of nice little shops that can also use your support.

Speaking of support - support our local San Juan Community Co-Op - it's fantastic!!
Amazing grocery and beautiful island produce selection, amazing prices, dedicated volunteers, and in a beautiful little spot near Chinmayo in the Surina Business Park on Malcom - its's right on your way! Check it out - it just gets better and better - and, they have ice cream! Becoming a member is easy, and they're open on Wednesdays for non members. Directions here, and see a few more details a few posts down..Yay Community Co-Op!

FAIR 2009

2009-06-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

The weather's been so great lately - just look at how everything's growing!
The wonderful San Juan County Fair's in August.
We just got this note from Rev Shannon, the SJC Fair manager - have you heard about this opportunity yet? -

"Hello,
SJC Fair is in need of Superintendents for the Fruit and Vegetable
departments at this year's Fair. I would like to get the word out to as
many folks as possible.

This is really important as we may not be able to accept entries in those departments without superintendents.

Hoping you can help out. Please let me know if you can and/or if you need further information.

Thanks,
Rev Shannon
Fair & Events Manager
San Juan County Fair
360-378-4310 "

Email: info@sanjuancountyfair.org

This could be very fun - maybe it's something you could do with a group of your friends, or with the help of your kids...Contact Rev and see what you can do!

2009-06-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

Shop our local SJ island Food Co-Op, Farmer's Market, SJ shops featuring local craftspeople and producers, and make a stop at all our farmstands: Heritage Farm, Synergy Farm, Mitchell Bay Farm, Sweet Earth Farm, Saddleback Ranch, States Inn ...
paintings - Memories of France (radishes) and Jean, Milking - by local artist L. DegnanCobos
How important is local agriculture to our local economy?
(we're talking JOBS)

Again, One in every six US consumers surveyed by analyst group Mintel are going out of their way to buy local food products as much as possible, with potential for further growth, according to recent findings. However, the research company said stronger promotion activities may be required to play up potential benefits to the consumer of local goods in order to ensure more mainstream acceptance.

Taking a summer jaunt on the inter-island ferry? Check the list of links on the right for more info on the other island's farms. Scroll our links, right, to Island Certified Local, for restaurants and others carrying foods from island producers.

Good for our health, good for our Mother Earth, good for the strong local economy.

Don't forget - join our local SJI Co-Op today! They have an amazing selection of groceries and dry goods and have many local products (beautiful creamy Quail Croft Cheeses, lovely and crisp Blue Moon and other local greens and produce, nutritious delicious LaCrover eggs, fresh cold Heritage Farm island Jersey milk, fantastic States Inn pasta, breads, & baked goods - and a whole lot more!! They're also open once a week for non-members if you want to check things out first. Don't see what you want? Write it on the board - they seem to have most anything in a week or so. And, the prices are great!!
Tell everyone you know - the SJI Co Op's at Surina Business Park, off Malcom St. (turn off Argyle at the Jehovah Witness church - the Business Park is first left on Malcom). "Though she is but little, she is fierce" - and tha's a compliment!

Our two local bakeries - Cafe Demeter and San Juan Bakery - they're both wonderful! Daily soups, quiche and veg pizza in addition to rustic natural yeast breads and bakery sweets at Cafe Demeter + coffees, teas, and a great bottled wine selection, also at Farmer's Mkt. on Sat; at Bakery San Juan - lovely and delicious french pastries and cakes, beautiful french and other breads and coffee by the cup. Their breads are also available at Kings and the Marketplace. Kings now will slice your bread for you, too - sometimes that really helps!

If you want amazing food grown within the few miles of our county prepared for you - visit Madden at Steps Restaurant and Wine Bar. Yay - they are open again!! The atmosphere is happy - it makes you feel elegant; the food is incredible, and Madden is a chef's chef and an incredible generous friend to us and to the island.

And -

Our first Land and Sea Youth Club cob oven is complete (cob is clay - our island clay) - it's at Marinkovich's, and has now cooked many pizzas, veggies, halibut, salmon and other baked goods. It's beautiful - check it out on L & S Youth page. We'll keep you posted on our next oven build with cob mentor Ryan Browne of Earthlore.

Go to local, environmentally-friendly household products store Compost It - Products for Sustainable Living's webpage & visit the shop at Nichols and A St. next to the ferry overload parking. Maureen has baby chicks for sale, coops by local carpenter Steve Gutmann, & carries chicks hatched at San Juan's Sweet Earth Farm, in addition to carrying wonderful products from 14+ islanders and counting.

----- Hi Graduates - Looking for something more than a career?
The Practical Training/Farm and Garden Apprenticeship program is taking app's for 2009-2010 (until 10/1/09 for U.S. and Canadian students 9/1/09 for international students).

We wrote about this on our April Actions post, but it bears repeating:

Today, more than 1,200 apprentices have been trained in the organic fields, orchards and greenhouses at UC Santa Cruz, learning not only how to raise food and flowers, but how to make the food system itself more sustainable by addressing issues of social justice. They are today's organic farmers, market gardeners, urban agriculturalists, school garden teachers, and others working to promote local, healthy food in communities around the country.
Contact the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz, 831-459-2321 email: apprenticeship@ucsc.edu

Recent graduates exemplify the program’s potential to create new farmers…

Kelsey Keener, Ryan Power, and Noah Bresler raise vegetables, fruit, and heritage livestock on historic Williams Island near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mike Nolan and Gabe Eggers coax crops from the sagebrush country of southern Colorado for local markets. Amy Rice-Jones manages the brand new Bounty Farm, where she coordinates a team of volunteers growing food for low-income residents of Petaluma, California.

Read more of the profiles of UC Santa Cruz apprentices here.

Photo above, left: The Farm to College Project at UC Santa Cruz - The Farm-to-College project at UC Santa Cruz links the Center’s Farm on the UCSC campus with other local organic farms and with UCSC campus organizations to bring organic produce to the campus dining halls and restaurants, while bringing students to the Farm for sustainable food systems education.

Supporting the "Grow a Farmer Campaign" an independent project that helps financially support the housing needs of the CAFS program, or taking part in this program are 2 ways to help. Click here for homepage of the CASFS program.

Check out the web page and YouTube video for the "Grow A Farmer Campaign".

AND...We can also learn from this program, and work to develop a training program for farmers right here. We're starting, with our L & S Youth Club Farm Garden and farmworker training; we know others on the island are thinking the same thing, and doing it, too.

Buy Local

2009-04-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

How important is local agriculture to our local economy?

One in every six US consumers surveyed by analyst group Mintel are going out of their way to buy local food products as much as possible, with potential for further growth, according to recent findings.

However, the research company said stronger promotion activities may be required to play up potential benefits to the consumer of local goods in order to ensure more mainstream acceptance.

About 30 per cent of the 2000 adult respondents questioned said they would purchase local goods and services, but were unable to locate them - earning themselves the titles of ‘aspirational locals’ by the analyst.
Our county ARC and Ag Guild work locally to help the public find out what local products are available, and find great ways to help local farmers and producers market them. (Examples - Farmers Market (Ag Guild), and the Island Certified Local (ICL) Stamp (ARC).

Check the post below to see how you can support our local Agricultural Resource Committee (ARC) and the Ag Guild which is a part of it. Let's let the county know we support their work. It can mean a healthier environment, healthier food available locally, and JOBS.

(And while you're at it - check out the Island Grown Farmers Cooperative IGFC and mobile processing unit - wonderful, healthy pastured meats from our islands are available packaged and USDA inspected because of this great program initiated by the Lopez Community Land Trust. These meats are available at the San Juan Food Co-op the Farmers Market and the many island farm stands listed at links on the right ).
Also, look at Margaret Thorson's letter to aspiring winter growers, (Post 4/6/09)
Margaret says Joel will be giving a "pep talk" for winter gardeners just after 1 pm next Saturday, after the 1st outdoor Farmers Market of the season on April 25th! For more info on Market time and place and more.Go to the SJI Farmers Market site