WSU Extension - Island County - Food Systems

12/06/2024

WSU Extension will be offering our Cultivating Success course this winter, and we’d like to share this opportunity offered statewide, online and with Spanish interpretation. (Español abajo)

Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Course
This course will walk you through the steps to create a farm business plan through weekly online classes with guest speaker farmers and resource providers and connections in regional groups.
Tuesdays, January 21- March 11, 2025, 6-8pm with in-person intensives on March 8
Location: Virtual, statewide with Spanish interpretation
Cost: $200 Scholarships available to anyone for whom the class fee is a barrier
https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/courseregistration

07/26/2024

06/13/2024

Feature your Business on the Farm & Food Trail! What is the Farm & Food Trail?The Farm & Food Trail is designed to increase traffic & visibility for farm and food businesses during the peak Harvest season of September. Farm & Food Trekkers will be able to use the map to explore the 4 distinct region...

06/12/2024

06/12/2024

As communities across Washington state prepare for wildfire season, week is an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of disasters and the importance of being prepared.

We work with local, state, federal, and industry partners to support the safety and recovery of citizens, evacuees, and all livestock and companion animals.

Read more about how to be prepared in our blog: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/blog-posts?article=39123

05/03/2024

The EDC for Island County has released a draft of the Island County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2024-2028 for public comment. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on local economic development strategy, including agriculture, that will shape the county’s economic future. Help ensure that the CEDS aligns with our community’s needs and priorities by reading and commenting.

The EDC for Island County is excited to announce that a draft of the Island County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2024-2028 is now available for public comment! Your input is crucial in shaping economic development in Island County.

To provide comments, download the plan and use the comment form link on our CEDS webpage: https://www.iscoedc.com/ceds/. Submit your comments no later than May 17, 2024 5pm PST.

02/09/2024

Our friends at the WSU San Juan County Extension Office are gearing up for the 12th Annual San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit, in-person on Orcas Island, March 8 & 9, 2024.

Online pre-registration is required and runs through March 1st. For more details and registration:

[image img_src="https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2054/2024/01/Facebook.jpg" img_id="7063" ][action label="Register Today for Early Bird Pricing!!" link="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-san-juan-islands-agricultural-summit-tickets-777754995127?aff=oddtdtcreator" style="in-page-action" ] Join us....

02/09/2024

Coming up on February 21 at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts will be three short films on farming, food justice, community, culture, and climate, and featuring the Organic Farm School. Films start at 7pm and afterward will be a Q&A and social hour. Hope you can attend!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming premiere of the documentary "Nourishing Soil, People, and Community" on Feb 21st—a short film spotlighting the vital impact of regenerative agriculture in reconnecting us with our planet and each other.

The evening at on Whidbey Island extends to two additional compelling short documentaries on regenerative farming: the impactful work of Cleveland's and the Navajo-led Spirit Farm in Vanderwagen, New Mexico, both embodying deep-rooted agricultural wisdom.

These Thriving Communities produced films weave together diverse farming practices and perspectives, highlighting today's challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and our lost connection with nature.

Post-screenings, join us for panel discussions, diving deeper into the films' themes. Secure your spot now! https://www.thrivingcommunities.org/event-details/nourishing-soil-people-and-community-the-organic-farm-school-film

01/09/2024

Registration is open for the Whidbey Farmers Forum!
Classes include pasture management, no-till and high tunnel cultivation, fruit and flower growing, financial and market planning, and more.
In addition to sharing knowledge we also want to create time and space for Whidbey farmers, ag experts, and other community professionals to connect and network.
Register now at whidbeyislandgrown.com/farmers-forum.