With warm summer temperatures here, please be sure to take good care of your livestock during extreme heat. WSU created this helpful tipsheet. Let us know if you have any questions about livestock and heat stress. Feel free to contact Dan McCarty, our WSU livestock specialist at dan.mccarty@wsu.edu
– Posted July 20, 2023
Now through June 30th, earn $10 when you spend at least $10 on fruits and vegetables with your SNAP/EBT card! This temporary increase may end earlier if funding is used up before that date.
Shoppers who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits can stretch their food budget to buy more fruits and vegetables with SNAP Produce Match at participating grocery stores! Look for the SNAP Produce Match logo at your local grocery store.
– Posted June 9, 2023
DRIVERS WANTED
For Kitsap Harvest
https://www.kitsapharvest.org/volunteer/
The growing season is upon us! We are looking for several volunteers to help pick-up fresh locally grown produce at donation stations, farmers markets and our regular routes at grocery stores during the week.
Donation Stations & Farmers Market Drivers – We have stations located from Kingston to Port Orchard. Click here for map. Drivers will be using their own vehicle and coordinating with Neighborhood Captains on the locations and timing of pick-ups. Drivers will weigh donated produce in the Ikea bag with the luggage scale provided to them and record the total weight on the bottom of the Captains Log, then transport the produce and log to Kitsap Harvests aggregation/distribution hub. Good communication is a must to ensure timely pick-ups and drop-off.
Grocery Stores & Food Bank – This is a regular route done during the weekdays and possible Saturday. Involves using our box truck and coordinating with sites on pick-up timing and what items we are needing at the time. Drivers would pick-up food and bring it back to the warehouse for weighing and sorting by volunteers. Also, it is important keeping-up on truck maintenance log and communicating any issues ASAP.
For both positions we are looking for helpful individuals who appreciate our mission of, feeding families from front yards, foodbanks & farms, and enjoying getting out into the community. Good driving record is important too.
If you are interested or know anybody that would enjoy this volunteer activity please let us know and or register at Volunteer with Kitsap Harvest. If multiple people are interested it would be great to divide and conquer!
If you have any questions let us know at hub@kitsapharvest.org.
– Posted May 18, 2023
Amy Smalley, Water Stewardship
The WSU Kitsap Extension Water Stewardship programs bring you affordable classes that take you outside to explore our region’s fresh and salt water ecosystems and our relationship with them. Begin your adventure in lifelong learning in one of these areas: Stream Stewards, Beach Naturalists, and Salmon Docents. We also offer community education in areas including: Septic Sense Workshops, Kitsap Salmon Tours, Shore Friendly Kitsap, and Shore Stewards.
Let’s learn a little more about Amy and the Water Stewardship Program:
How did you first get involved with Water Stewardship?
I have always had a passion for the outdoors, nature, science and the interwoven connectivity between human life and the natural world. I completed my undergrad in environmental policy with a minor in environmental science, and it was during that time that I realized the importance of conservation and preservation in a quickly changing world, and how much it meant to me personally. Being a parent, it’s important for me to leave a world where my kids and future generations can enjoy all that is associated with a healthy environment. I believe that when people understand and respect our human connections with the environment and realize we are very much a part of these valuable ecosystems, they will make changes to protect the places we live for generations to come. Washington State University Extension is the avenue in which I can achieve those goals through education and outreach in our community; coordinating programs where people can learn about the importance of these connections and how they can get involved to make a positive impact in our local ecosystems.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
There are so many rewarding aspects of my job. One, I get to work with some of the coolest people around; researchers, biologists, ecologists, planners, engineers, water quality specialists, stormwater experts, restoration experts, and educators to name a few. Two, the volunteers in the Water Stewardship program are amazing. I am consistently blown away by the passion, appreciation, and dedication these folks have for the programs and the volunteer work that they do. Three, the work that I do is very fulfilling, I get to be a small part in protecting this place for generations to come.
What is one important or valuable feature of Water Stewardship that is not commonly known?
People think they need to have a background or knowledge of stream ecology, salmon biology, or marine biology to take these trainings, but you don’t. Anyone from any education background can take these trainings, the goal is to provide accessible learning opportunities for all. There is nothing more rewarding than watching those who don’t have any in-depth environmental education become so inspired and in awe of what they learn and take away from these programs.
Any other information you’d like people to know?
We are part of the Clean Water Kitsap partnership. The Clean Water Kitsap Partnership is a nationally recognized multi-agency partnership that was created to reduce flooding, prevent pollution, and restore fish habitat through stormwater management activities. One of my colleagues said it best, when he said the Clean Water Kitsap partnership is like its own ecosystem and we all play a vital role in it. I am very fortunate that in my work, I get to give people a firsthand tour of all the partners and their roles in our community (during the Stream Steward training). Trainees are impressed by this collaboration and all the work that goes on behind the scenes to maintain and improve upon the human health and the health of our natural resources here in Kitsap County.
For more information about our Water Stewardship programming please visit our Home page!
– Posted March 28, 2023
Emergency food allotments are ending in February and your food benefit amount will decrease beginning March 2023. From March 2020 to February 2023, the federal government issued temporary emergency funding to provide families with additional food benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting in March 2023
The amount of food benefits you will receive without the emergency benefits will depend on your specific circumstances.
Learn what your new benefit amount will be
Call 877-501-2233 and choose the self-service option or log into your Client Benefit Account at WashingtonConnection.org.
Find local resources
Visit findhelp.org or 211.org. SNAP Match Programs increase your food benefits so you can buy more fruits and vegetables.
Report a change
If circumstances in your life have changed, you may qualify for a higher benefit amount. Call 877-501-2233, go to WashingtonConnection.org, or visit your local Community Services Office to report changes in household size, income or expenses.
– Posted February 28, 2023
Jess Sappington, Food Systems / Regional Small Farms
The Regional Small Farms Program supports small to mid-sized farms in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties by leveraging the broad resources of a major university to resolve issues and create a positive food future for our region.
Let’s learn a little more about Jess and the Regional Small Farms Program:
How did you first get involved with Regional Small Farms?
I went to college for environmental studies and sustainable agriculture. It was there where I first fell in love with farming while I interned on our school’s farm. The farm produced food for a small CSA program, provided fresh food to the local food bank, and worked with disadvantaged youth teaching them about food and farming. Working collaboratively to grow food from seed to harvest and seeing the impact that food had in the community was an amazing experience. After college I went into the Peace Corps. and served in the small island nation of Vanuatu working with their Department of Agriculture. I was assigned to the island of Tanna working with their local extension agents who were assisting farmers with a coffee growers cooperative project. Working with farmers overseas and seeing how those extension agents built relationships within their farm community was inspiring. After coming back and learning more about our states extension system, I knew that was a role that I wanted to explore.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is bringing people together. I love being able to facilitate groups of farmers who are networking and sharing their expertise or a group of community organizations working together on a project. I like to look for additional ways that Extension can benefit farmers and those that we serve. Exploring what could be and being creative on how that happens is what fuels me.
What is one important or valuable feature of Regional Small Farms that is not commonly known?
Most people don’t realize that we are a regional program. We serve farmers in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap and have extension agents in each county working together to provide technical assistance, education and resource to our farmers. We also have access to statewide WSU specialist and a toolbox full of amazing partners to pull from. I like to say that if we can’t figure out the answer we will find someone who can.
Any other information you’d like people to know?
For more information about our Regional Small Farms programming please visit extension.wsu.edu/regionalsmallfarms!
– Posted February 25, 2023
Lis Nilsson, Kitsap 4-H Youth Development
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization – empowering nearly six million young people around the world, 4-H type clubs now exist in at least 82 countries.
Let’s learn a little more about Lis and the Kitsap 4-H program:
How did you first get involved with 4-H?
I am a 4-H alumni from Northern California. I grew up on a sheep ranch and showed sheep through 4-H growing up. As an adult I went into the education field and after 11 years teaching overseas I returned to the United States and started working for WSU as the 4-H Program Coordinator here in Kitsap County. I enjoy merging my passions together including experiential education, children and animals.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is watching children come into their own. There is nothing quite like seeing a child/youth find their passion and excitement and thrive.
What is one important or valuable feature of 4-H that is not commonly known?
4-H is MORE than livestock! Most people think of 4-H as cows, sows and horses but 4-H is so much more than that. 4-H offers programs in not only livestock but also small animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, cavies and still life including cooking, sewing, photography, and expressive arts.
Any other information you’d like people to know?
When people ask me for more information about 4-H I always ask them what they or their child(ren) are interested in. 4-H can find a curriculum for any interest – from animals, to legos, to taxidermy, to clay and anything and everything in between.
– Posted January 31, 2023
Responses due Feb. 6, 2023
The 2022 Census of Agriculture is now underway.
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land – whether rural or urban – growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year. The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity.
– Posted here January 11, 2023
