Lean Farming at Around the Table Farm

Join Kristofer Bejval, farm assistant at Around the Table Farm in Poulsbo, where they will be sharing their expertise around maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste in farming processes, otherwise called lean farming.  

This farm walk will take a broad approach to the idea of lean farming at 3 levels.  

1) the level of the individual farmer 

2) the level of the team unit 

3) and the farm system as a whole.  

We will discuss logistical avenues for setting up proactive and efficient farm systems, ways to understand and implement streamlined workflow models, and will address how to articulate and achieve sustainability goals within the whole farm context.  

Participants will identify Quality of Life goals and will discuss methods for achieving them. The class will include a facilitated discussion on efficiency within the farm system and ask attendees to consider ways in which we can proactively integrate efficiency as a value in our day-to-day experience of the farm system. It will invite participants to consider how we can use efficiency not as a competitive shaming force in our day-to-day, but instead as an invitation towards supporting ease and longevity in our work. The class will include a farm tour with an emphasis on lean farming concepts in our small-scale draft-powered flower and vegetable production farm. 

Dirt Talk Farm Walks provide farmer-to-farmer education to promote the exchange of ideas and innovations related to sustainable and organic farming in our region. This farm walk is open to all beginning and current farmers, not to the general public. 

Registration Details 
 Date: April 26th, 2023 @3pm – 5pm (in-person event!) 
Location:  Poulsbo, WA – Address will be provided to registered attendees 
Audience: Farmers, Homesteaders and Producers Only 

Registration link: Please only register for the farm walk if you plan to attend as there is limited space for this event. If you register and are unable to come, we kindly ask that you inform us at least 48 hours before the event so that we may open up registration to other interested farmers.   

If you go to register and there are no spaces available, please email jess.sappington@wsu.edu to be put on our cancellation list. 

Kristofer Bejval Bio: 

Kristofer grew up in rural Kitsap County in the woods of Seabeck, around horses and with a big garden. They are a white settler of Czech and Italian heritage. Kristofer has been immersed in small-scale organic agriculture since 2016, working at farms of varying scales across the country and running and managing their own flower and vegetable production market garden for two years in Jefferson County.  

Currently, Kristofer works as an EMT in Jefferson County and as a draft horse teamster at Around the Table Farm in Poulsbo. Their agricultural background has included an emphasis on systems thinking, labor management, efficiency, and lean farming as a way to maintain small-scale production farms. They believe good systems can lead to better quality of life for farmers. 

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Jess Sappington (345 6th St. Suite 550, Bremerton WA / jess.sappington@wsu.edu / 360- 228-7308) at least two weeks prior to the event.