The Regional Small Farms (RSF) Program is a robust branch of WSU Extension. Their hub is in Port Hadlock, the team serves Kitsap, Clallam and Jefferson farmers. From livestock to vegetables, pest management to farm business management, the Regional Small Farms team brings a lot to the table to support, network and educate local farmers.
3 Ways RSF Supports Local Farms in 2023:
This year kicked off the latest edition of Cultivating Success, an in-depth farm and food business planning course. The 12-week course walks you through the necessary steps to create a business plan for an existing farm-based business or a completely new enterprise.
The Cultivating Success course has evolved into a fantastic state-wide offering in collaboration with the WSU Food Systems team. The course is a hybrid of online learning with a state-wide group of about 100 participants, and with a regional breakout group of 15 people that meet in person. Our tri-county regional group consists of new farmers starting farms, farmers expanding on existing farms and farmers fine-tuning existing farms. This year Cultivating Success also directed outreach to Spanish speaking communities in the state and it includes live translation in Spanish. Spread the word about this incredible course, it just keeps getting better. Learn more here.
Dirt Talks are a series of Farmer-to-Farmer events, the idea was created after our regional farmers asked for such an opportunity to be created. This ongoing series networks farmers in the region while also giving them a chance to share their knowledge about their specific farming niche or expertise. In most cases, the farmers are doing the teaching and the participants are local farmers and growers.
This year there will be a variety of on-farm topics, a fascinating look at Aquaponics just took place, and there’s an upcoming livestock series, for small and large livestock. These will be at farms in our local region. In the virtual classroom an Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M) series is planned in partnership with Laurel Moulton, the IPM specialist for WSU Extension’s RSF. Later this year the Dirt Talks will cover soil health and composting. Jump on their newsletter here to stay in the loop of the next Dirt Talks.
Food Safety Courses are coming right up, as requested by local farmers. With the FDA requiring different certifications around food safety, WSU RSF has undertaken the necessary steps to certify a staff member as an official food safety facilitator. Kellie Henwood has been trained through the Produce Safety Alliance and will now be teaching and advising farmers in regards to this topic. The 3 upcoming Food Safety Courses include:
- Developing a Food Safety Plan: This training helps small to medium food processor fulfill Food Safety Modernization Act regulations that all personnel should be trained at least annually in food hygiene, food safety and food defense!
- Good Manufacturing Practices & Basics of Sanitation: This course provides basic information about sanitation and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for food plants. CGMPs help to ensure the safety of food. The course walks through the principles of sanitation, sanitation chemicals, employee practices, plant design, and other related topics.
- Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training: The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.
Click here for more details about the courses and to register.
In addition to these great learning opp’s, the RSF program has ongoing farmer support in a whole variety of ways. For example:
Request Technical Assistance
Do you need assistance diagnosing a crop problem, identifying a pest issue, or any farm related question in Clallam, Jefferson or Kitsap Counties? We have a specialist right here in our region that can help you. Please fill out the Farmer Technical Assistance Request Form to get started. Click here to fill out the form.
Check out their website and learn even more about the breadth of this fantastic program.