Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms: Regulations and Strategies for Farm and Food Businesses
Last published in 2019 by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), this is your one-stop-shop on information for running your farm business, marketing, voluntary certifications, and regulations.
- PDFs of all sections are available through the WSDA website.
- Hard copies can be ordered from the WSDA for the cost of shipping.
- Limited numbers of hard copies are available at the WSU Extension Mason County office – ask our Program Coordinator if there are some available!
- Access to Land
WSU Regional Small Farms Access to Land Resources
Mason County Resources:
Mason County Community Development – building permits, planning department, site inspections, cottage industry permits.
Mason County Assessor’s Office – property and parcel information search
- Agritourism
What is agritourism? Agritourism allows farmers to diversify their revenue streams by linking commercial production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors to a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business to generate additional income.
Examples include:
- Farm stands or stores
- Farm stays
- Wedding and event facilities
- Farm tours and classes
- U-pick
- Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Christmas tree farms
- Tasting events and farm to table dinners
WSU Regional Small Farms Program Agritourism Resources
- Aquaculture
Shellfish have been cultivated and harvested in Mason County since time immemorial. Currently, Mason County is the largest producer of shellfish in Washington State; in 2016, shellfish farming was the second largest employer, with over 70 farms generating $32 million in revenue annually.
Washington State Department of Health – Shellfish
Apply for permits and certifications, get information on shellfish-related illnesses, current water quality maps, and more.Washington State Shellfish Safety Map
Recreational Shellfish:
Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife Shellfishing Regulations
Gathering Safe Shellfish in Washington
Invasive Species:
WSU & WA Sea Grant MoltSearch Program
- Crop Production & Soils
Soil Testing:
A&L Western Agricultural Laboratories
Publications:
Fertilizing with Manure and Other Organic Amendments
Web Resources:
WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Program Soils Resources
Tilth Alliance Composting Resources
Department of Ecology Composting
- Farm Business Management
- Farmers Markets
Mason County:
Thurston County:
- Olympia Farmers Market
- West Olympia Farmers Market
- Tumwater Farmers Market
- Tenino Farmers Market
- Yelm Farmers Market
Lewis County:
Pierce County:
- Food Safety
Mason County Public Health and Human Services
Washington State Food Worker Course
WSDA – Food Safety Regulations for Specific Products (Fact Sheets)
- Forestry
Western WA Forestry Staff & Faculty:
- Patrick Shults, Lewis County WSU Extension County Director & Extension Forester
(360) 740-1213 • patrick.shults@wsu.edu
Mason Conservation District Stewardship Foresters:
- Margaret Kreder
360-427-9436 ext. 102 mkreder@masoncd.org
WA State Department of Natural Resources Service Forestry Program:
Small Forest Landowner Regulation Assistance Program
Wildfires:
Washington State Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center
Forestry:
WSU Forestry Resources by Topic
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Washington Forest Protection Association
Washington Farm Forestry Association
Christmas Tree Production:
Growing Christmas Trees in the Pacific Northwest
National Christmas Tree Association
Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association
Puget Sound Christmas Tree Association
Weed and Vegetation Management Strategies in Christmas Trees
- Patrick Shults, Lewis County WSU Extension County Director & Extension Forester
- Livestock & Dairy
Western WA Animal Agriculture Staff & Faculty:
- Gary Fredericks – Cowlitz County WSU Extension County Director
(360) 577-3014 ext. 3 garyf@wsu.edu - Joan DeVries – Skagit County WSU Extension Livestock Advisors Program Coordinator
360-395-2370 joand@wsu.edu - Stephen Bramwell – Thurston County WSU Extension County Director & Agriculture Faculty
(360) 867-2161 bramwell@wsu.edu
Mason Conservation District Farm Assistance Program:
- Nick Schneider, Agricultural Resource Technician
(360) 427-9436 ext. 111 nschneider@masoncd.org
WSU Livestock Nutrient Program
WSU Animal Agriculture Website
WSU Regional Small Farms Program Animal Agriculture Resources
See the ‘Food Safety’ section for links to resources on the processing and selling of livestock & dairy products.
- Gary Fredericks – Cowlitz County WSU Extension County Director
- Local Food Hubs
South Sound Fresh:
South Sound Fresh is an online marketplace of locally grown and produced food. We make it possible for farmers to work together to meet the growing demand for local, sustainable food in your area. Farmers benefit from the marketing, selling, packaging and delivering of their produce and prepared foods. Our marketplace brings fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food to you, the buyer, in a cost-effective manner on a weekly basis.Evergreen United Food Hub: Primarily provides fresh, local, unique produce to restaurants in the South Sound area. All of their produce is grown and delivered within 100 miles of Seattle from farms that are long term partners. Most are Certified Organic. They pick up product at the farm and deliver straight to our customers from Seattle to the South Sound.
Evergreen United Food Hub Website
Southwest Washington Food Hub: The Southwest Washington Food Hub is a farmer-owned cooperative food aggregation, distribution, and marketing service currently operating in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Mason, and Pacific Counties.
- Marketing Resources
WSU Regional Small Farms Program Marketing Resources
- Organizations
-
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Washington State Farm to School Network
WA Center for Women in Business
Washington Beekeepers Association
Mason County Conservation District
Washington Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
- Poultry & Eggs
Mason Conservation District Poultry Processing Equipment Program:
The Mason Conservation District has two Poultry Processing Units that include scalder units, pluckers, and kill cone stands for holding up to 8 kill cones at a time. We also have a Poultry Processing Trailer that can handle larger flocks. The units are available for rent to minimize schedule conflicts and help poultry producers be more efficient.
Cost:
$35 per day or $70 per weekend Featherman Units
$50 per day or $100 per weekend for larger Poultry Man Poultry Processing TrailerClick Here for More Information about Poultry Processor Rental
Eggs – Farmers Markets & Direct to Retail
Farmers selling eggs (from a chicken, goose, turkey, duck, guinea, or any species of fowl) at farmers markets and through direct to retail sales (i.e. restaurants and grocery stores) must comply with the requirements of RCW 69.25 and be licensed through the Washington State Department of Revenue (WSDOR) as an Egg Handler/Dealer. Local health districts have jurisdiction over farmers markets in their areas and may conduct market inspections to assure vendor compliance with local rules and regulations.
Direct to retail sales also require obtaining Egg Seals from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Eggs – On-Farm Sales & CSA
Poultry or egg producers may sell eggs from their own flocks directly to the end consumer from the place of production without the purchase of an Egg Handler/Dealer License or Egg Seals from WSDA
Shell eggs are a perishable food and must be handled properly with care under cold and sanitary conditions to assure consumer safety.
Resources:
WSDA Meat & Poultry Assistance Program
WSU Veterinary Medicine – Poultry
American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA)
Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network
See the ‘Food Safety’ section for links to resources on the processing and selling of poultry & egg products.