{"id":2240,"date":"2023-02-16T05:26:58","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T05:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/?p=2240"},"modified":"2025-01-30T13:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T21:21:46","slug":"enriching-our-regions-farmers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/regionalsmallfarms\/2023\/02\/16\/enriching-our-regions-farmers\/","title":{"rendered":"Enriching our Region’s Farmers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Blogpost<\/a> by Lisa Bridge, WSU Clallam Communications

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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. <\/span><\/p>\n

3 Ways RSF Supports Local Farms in 2023:<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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This year kicked off the latest edition of Cultivating Success,<\/b> 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 <\/span>enterprise.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dirt Talks are a series of Farmer-to-Farmer events<\/b>, 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.<\/p>\n

This year there will be a variety of on-farm topics, a fascinating look at Aquaponics just took place, and  <\/span>there\u2019s 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\u2019s RSF. Later this year the Dirt Talks will cover soil health and composting. Jump on their newsletter here<\/a> to stay in the loop of the next Dirt Talks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Food Safety Courses are coming right up<\/b>, 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 a<\/span>n 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:<\/span><\/p>\n