Thank you for following us. We have come to the end of yet another impactful year.

Kitsap Harvest has become an official, federally recognized non-profit. The Board is looking to connect with people interested in helping build the organization and participate on the Board. There is a lot of room to be a part of this newly formed non-profit’s growth and sustainability.

This year they recruited a team of Ameri Corps Vistas and a volunteer coordinator supported by emergency hunger relief funding. The funding and positions end in June, so everyone is working effectively to make the programming more accessible for volunteers and over all program management.

Kitsap Harvest would like to recognize the volunteers who have been helping all along, and especially in this overly wintery December. 115 hours just this month! November was the Volunteer Appreciation event and several of the volunteers earned the Presidential Service Award with 100 plus hours over the last year. Volunteers and Vista’s have helped, in a total, move just over 100,000 lbs during 2022, providing access to over 2000 residents. Incredible!

There were a small handful of gleans this year due to the unseasonal freeze killing fruit tree blossoms. 9 out of 10 home owners reported having little to no fruit this year. Each year has a story, either smoke, heat, drought, or freeze; harvesting is the response to much anticipation. Grow A Row stepped up this year and created multiple donation stations around the county. Big hopes to help home gardeners connect with information and training, plus veggie starts in this coming year. Will you pledge to Grow A Row for Kitsap Harvest?

Connect with Kitsap Harvest directly by signing up for their newsletter to follow them on their development or if you are interested in getting more involved, email info@kitsapharvest.org.

– Posted December 30, 2022

Amazon customers who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits in Washington can now use SNAP Produce Match for Amazon Fresh purchases. This expands the number of grocers offering home delivery options, making the program more accessible to those with transportation challenges. To find out if Amazon Fresh Delivery is available in your area, visit amazon.com/fresh and enter your zip code. To use SNAP Produce Match, simply add your SNAP/EBT card to your Amazon wallet, purchase at least $10 of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with your SNAP benefits, and a $5 coupon will be applied to your account for your next purchase!

– Posted December 30, 2022

Are you obsessed with animals, agriculture, 4-H and socks??
Support our local Kitsap 4-H by purchasing 4-H SOCKS!

$5 of every purchase will be donated to Kitsap 4-H and the socks will be shipped directly to you!!
GREAT stocking stuffers!!
Please share!

– Posted October 20, 2022

We are looking for adults that have time to share with youth and/or a special talent or skill they want to teach youth for hands on learning. Don’t have a talent to share, that is ok! We have many different volunteer roles and provide training for each one.

4-H students are leaders. They pursue passions. They solve problems and tackle everyday challenges. And YOU are the key to their success! We need adult volunteers to mentor 4-H youth, lead local clubs, and run events. No experience necessary – we’ll train you! Based on your specific role, we’ll let you know what level of training you may need.

A few hours a month, a week, a year…

You decide the level of involvement that fits your skills and schedule, in such roles as:

1. Club Leader
2. Project Leader
3. Event Volunteer
4. Committee Volunteer

If interested, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form linked above!

– October 25, 2022

Public advised to avoid all contact with lake water due to health risks for people and animals.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Today the Kitsap Public Health District issued a cyanobacteria warning for Long Lake in South Kitsap. The public should to avoid all contact with water in Long Lake due to the presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

There are many different types of cyanobacteria and not all blooms are toxic. The cyanobacteria present in Long Lake are known to produce toxins.

Because toxic cyanobacteria can make people sick, and can kill pets, fish, waterfowl and livestock, the public is advised to:

• Avoid all contact with the lake water until further notice. This means no swimming, wading, or types of water play where water could be swallowed or get in the mouth, nose or eyes (especially in areas where blooms are concentrated).
• Avoid ingesting lake or stream water. If a resident draws lake water for drinking purposes, they are encouraged to drink bottled water until further notice.
• Limit access of pets and livestock to the lake.
• Avoid eating fish caught during the algae bloom.
• Rinse boats and trailers thoroughly before going to another lake.

No illnesses have been reported to Kitsap Public Health at this time. Advisory signs will be posted at public access areas around the lake. The Health District will continue to monitor for cyanobacteria and announce updates as conditions change.

– Posted here August 16, 2022

Kitsap County Commissioners have proclaimed August 7th – 13th as Kitsap County Farmers Market week, in conjunction with national farmers market week. The proclamation demonstrates just how much markets benefit communities and our local economy!

Please see the proclamation here.

Current Kitsap Farmers Markets:

(as of Summer, 2022)

More Kitsap Farmers Market Resources:

• Farmers Market Coalition has some great resources and information on farmers market week to check out.
• Visit Kitsap puts out an annual Farmers Market Guide.
• Eat Local First can search by zip code or allow you to zoom on a map.
• Washington State Farmers Market Association has an online directory of farmers markets.
• West Sound Farmers Markets Regional Brochures can be ordered for free every year through WSFMA and they will get mailed to you (or you can access the digital version.
• Experience Kitsap farmers market directory.

– Posted August 2, 2022

Click here to learn more!

Here’s What You Need to Know:
Summer P-EBT for School Children
Students who were registered and enrolled in June 2022 in a Washington school that normally participates in the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program and are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals will receive a one-time, lump-sum Summer P-EBT benefit of $391 ($7.10 daily meal reimbursement rate x 55 summer days). Newly eligible children will receive a new P-EBT card, and children who qualified for P-EBT will automatically be added to their existing P-EBT cards beginning August 2022. This includes students who graduated in June 2022. If your child doesn’t already receive free or reduced-price meals, contact your local school district to fill out a school meal application. Families must submit and be approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications by Aug. 31, 2022 to receive P-EBT benefits for the Summer P-EBT.

Summer P-EBT for Children under 6 
Children under age 6 who are part of a household active on Basic Food anytime in June, July or August 2022 will receive a one-time, lump-sum Summer P-EBT benefit of $391. Benefits will automatically go onto existing P-EBT cards beginning August 2022. Newly eligible children will be mailed a new P-EBT card.
Families who aren’t active on Basic Food assistance are encouraged to apply for food assistance by completing an application online at Washington Connection or calling the Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233. Households newly approved for Basic Food will be automatically reviewed for P-EBT eligibility in September 2022.

Click here to learn more!

– Posted August 2, 2022

We would like to take a moment and give thanks to our Food Systems Faculty member and Director, Laura Rÿser. After eight years with WSU, she is moving on in an exciting new role with Pierce County Planning and Public Works Sustainable Resources Division. Laura has served as a WSU faculty member since 2014, and then with the additional duties of director for our Kitsap Extension office since 2016.

During her tenure with WSU, she has strengthened and created new community partnerships, implemented essential community programs, provided leadership to program staff, and encouraged collaboration within Extension programming. She worked early on in her post to bring farmers together to create the online farmers market Kitsap Fresh, providing a new innovate sales outlet for local producers. Additionally, she helped convene area farm mentors to create what is now known as the Kitsap Farm Mentor program, helping to grow the next generation of farmers here on the peninsula. She was a key partner with the Kitsap Public Health District and Kitsap Strong in bringing stakeholders together forming the Kitsap Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Coalition.

To say that she will be missed is an understatement. She has given so much of her time and talents to our community and to our office. Though Laura will be leaving her post at WSU, she is not going far, and will remain in residence in Kitsap County. We are excited to see what the future holds for her in her new role. Laura you will be missed! Please join us in thanking her and wishing her all the best in these new adventures.

– Jess Sappington
Interim Director & Food Systems Program Coordinator, WSU Kitsap Extension