Tilth Producers of WA-Conference at Ft. Worden
This weekend at Fort Worden, WA the Tilth Producers of Washington held the annual conference, chocked full of the newest information on sustainable farming and organic production. Tilth Producers of WA is the go-to organization for sustainable farming... providing policy work, cutting edge education-especially at the fall conference, opportunities to tour Washington farms through Tilth farm walks, encouragement to new and young farmers, and an amazing farmer network. This year's theme was "Organic Agriculture: The Roots of Rural Development." Sessions included integrated pest management, soil fertility, cover cropping, adding value to crops, looking at the possiblilty of electric vechicles for agricultural uses, alternative feed for livestock, helping WSU develop a carbon footprint tool for organic farms, and so much more.
Find out more about Tilth Producers and the conference at www.tilthproducers.org Pierce county had great grower representaion including Terry's Berries, Tahoma Farms/Terra Organics, Wilcox Family Farms, Cheryl the pig lady, Kelda's Divine Earth Gardening Project, who else have I missed?, as well as Chris Benedict WSU Extension, Doug Collins WSU Puyallup, myself from the District, and other important folks who help support Pierce county ag. Pierce County even has a new representative on the Tilth Board, Kaitlin Hansen who works at Terry's Berries! The conference weekend was also kicked off with a Friday symposium about growing wheat and grains in Western Washington. At the symposium, farmers and advocates heard from world class wheat professor based at WSU, Dr. Steve Jones, followed by farmers growing grains in Western WA, like Nash, and also malt makers and bakers. Moral of the story- it's totally possible to grow amazing local grains here on the westside that can go right into local bread, flour, beer, and animal feed. The development of more local grain production, markets, and processing infrastructure will be a great movement to watch, with a side effect of healthier local grain supply, healthier people, and stronger local ag economies. People have been growing wheat for more than 10,000 years. It's only in the last 100 that we've forgotten we can grow wheat and grains.
Find out more about Tilth Producers and the conference at www.tilthproducers.org Pierce county had great grower representaion including Terry's Berries, Tahoma Farms/Terra Organics, Wilcox Family Farms, Cheryl the pig lady, Kelda's Divine Earth Gardening Project, who else have I missed?, as well as Chris Benedict WSU Extension, Doug Collins WSU Puyallup, myself from the District, and other important folks who help support Pierce county ag. Pierce County even has a new representative on the Tilth Board, Kaitlin Hansen who works at Terry's Berries! The conference weekend was also kicked off with a Friday symposium about growing wheat and grains in Western Washington. At the symposium, farmers and advocates heard from world class wheat professor based at WSU, Dr. Steve Jones, followed by farmers growing grains in Western WA, like Nash, and also malt makers and bakers. Moral of the story- it's totally possible to grow amazing local grains here on the westside that can go right into local bread, flour, beer, and animal feed. The development of more local grain production, markets, and processing infrastructure will be a great movement to watch, with a side effect of healthier local grain supply, healthier people, and stronger local ag economies. People have been growing wheat for more than 10,000 years. It's only in the last 100 that we've forgotten we can grow wheat and grains.
(picture: Pierce County WSU extension agent, giving a talk about livestock feed)
