July 11th Grange Meeting

Meet your candidates for Sheriff and Prosecutor!

Prosecutor: Michael Haas and James Kennedy
Sheriff: Joe Nole and incumbent Dave Stanko

Over half of the county budget is law and justice so these positions are important and can have far reaching effects on the community. Please join us for a pre-meeting potluck and following opportunity to meet the candidates and ask them any questions you may have.

Wednesday, July 11th
Chimacum Grange
9572 Rhody Dr., Chimacum
6:30 pm Come share food and socialize
(bring something or just come eat)
7:00 pm Presentation

June 14th Soil Conference: Soil Health and Planetary Regeneration

Hello Farmers and Lovers of Soil,

There is an advanced soil discussion in Chimacum next week and they are looking for some knowledgeable soil enthusiasts from the region to join the conversation. Is that you? 

Soil Conference: Soil Health and Planetary Regeneration
Thursday, June 14, 11:30 am–5:00 pm
Chimacum, Washington

Introductions will be made over lunch at Farm’s Reach Café in Chimacum (8972 Beaver Valley Road [Highway 19], Chimacum, WA 98325). The meeting proper will be at the Chimacum Grange (9572 Rhody Drive). Those who wish to stick around can continue the conversation after the formal ending.

The discussion will be about best practices for building and maintaining soil health and producing high nutrient density food.

In order to get the discussion going each participant should pick a few short quotes that best reflect how they see optimum fertility and production methods. Other participants will be given time to briefly express their thoughts about each statement. If we can come to a consensus we will use that as the base for advocating for and creating a program to raise nutrient-dense produce and arrive at a sustainable agriculture in fairly short order; i.e., revolutionize agriculture through changed practices.

Who is invited?

Practical soil scientists and knowledgeable farmers. We’re looking for folks with decades of practical experience and study. It would be great 10 to 20 seasoned hands participated. The idea for this soil group is to compare notes—working towards a synthesis of our experience/knowledge/insights. Where this all goes remains to be seen, but the hope is for something that can benefit us and the world. The idea is for this to be the first of a continuing series. The first meeting is in Jefferson County, hosted and moderated by Michael Pilarski. The 2nd meeting will likely be in the Olympia area hosted by Gary Kline.

The meeting will be audio (maybe also video) recorded or may be live streamed. If you can help with the technology aspect please contact Michael Pilarski.

We will be renting a venue and will pass the hat to cover costs. If anyone wants to stay overnight let Michael know.

Michael Pilarski
Friends of the Trees society
friendsofthetrees@yahoo.com   
360.643.9178

Send agenda items to:
Gary Kline
Blossom Consulting Services
gary@blossomera.com
360.943.5670

Also of note—Gary Kline, David Yarrow and others have recently formed a group with the name Nutriculture Northwest. At their June 13th meeting in Olympia David Yarrow will be doing a presentation on Carbon-Smart Nutriculture. “A rare opportunity to go ‘beyond organic’ and learn about the next revolution in farming, food production and human nutrition; as well as reverse greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.”

June 13th, 2018 - Two New Commercial Kitchens Opening for Community Use

The folks from Finnriver Cidery and Debbie Goetz of the Olympic Trading Post will be opening up new commercial kitchen facilities that are available to rent. If you are interested in making value-added products and need a county approved kitchen come see the presentation.

Debbie will be talking about her kitchen near the Valley Tavern in Port Hadlock. Finnriver will be talking about the new kitchen at the Finnriver Cidery.

Suzen Maxwell & Kelli Winter owners of CRUST pies and the Market Kitchen in Port Townsend will be sharing their experience running a commercial kitchen space, too.

This August, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Chimacum Grange is hoping to create a local food display for the Jefferson County Fair similar to what the Grange used to be famous for. We will be discussing the feasibility of this and looking for individuals interested in getting involved.



June 13th Grange Meeting

The folks from Finnriver Cidery and Debbie Goetz of the Olympic Trading Post will be opening up new commercial kitchen facilities that are available to rent. If you are interested in making value-added products and need a county approved kitchen, come see the presentation.

Debbie will be talking about her kitchen near the Valley Tavern in Port Hadlock. Finnriver will be talking about the new kitchen at the Finnriver Cidery.

Suzen Maxwell & Kelli Winter owners of CRUST pies and the Market Kitchen in Port Townsend will be sharing their experience running a commercial kitchen space, too.

This August, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Chimacum Grange is hoping to create a local food display for the Jefferson County Fair similar to what the Grange used to be famous for. We will be discussing the feasibility of this and be looking for individuals interested in getting involved.

Wednesday,June 13th
Chimacum Grange
9572 Rhody Dr., Chimacum
6:30 pm Come share food and socialize
(bring something or just come eat)
7:00 pm Presentation

May 9th, 2018 - About Online Farmers Markets by Toni & Erin Smith

Roni and Erin Smith of Smithshyre Farm will join us at the Grange Meeting Wednesday, May 9th to share their story of starting and running Kitsap Fresh Online Farmers Market. The goal is to hear about how Kitsap Fresh operates and determine if there is interest in starting a similar model here.

Kitsap Fresh is an online farmers market co-op dedicated to Kitsap grown goods. Customers have access to 30+ local farms and food producers all from one online storefront. Producers harvest only what was ordered that week and deliver to one location. Orders are sorted, organized and delivered to multiple pick up sites around Kitsap County.

Check out the website and come with your questions and ideas. www.kitsapfresh.org

April 11th, 2018 - Brainstorming a Farmers Bulk Buyer's Club

Being in an isolated area on the Olympic Peninsula can make it difficult to get certain livestock feed, supplements, or soil amendments in bulk. Being a smaller farm may also mean not having the purchasing power to get volume discounts individually. By coordinating group orders we may have the power to get pallet quantities and save on desired bulk farm, home, and garden products.

The next Chimacum Grange meeting will focus on identifying the products that locals are interested in and identify suppliers for these goods. This is the first step at making connections and coordinating group purchases.

Some examples may include:

  • Kelp

  • Livestock feed

  • Minerals

  • Packaging (egg cartons, etc.)

  • Soil amendments

  • Nursery supplies

  • Irrigation supplies

  • Bulk family food buying

Bring your wish list and friends.

You do not need to be a farmer to participate.