foodandfarm

Daily News: Wahkiakum small farms are coming back, big time.

2007-06-18T03:32:26-07:00

Today's Longview Daily News has a nice story on the resurgence of local food in Wahkiakum County. Tony Lystra spoke with the Stockhouses and Howells of Two Island Farms Market, Ginni Callahan and Jennifer Johnson who said that at the market "You drive up and they greet you and there's a popcorn machine and people are sitting around talking and having a glass of wine. I love it. We're spoiled out here."

She's certainly got that right!

I've had two lovely meals with lamb from Greyfield's Farm, vegetables from the Stockhouse's CSA and the market in as many nights and I am feeling pretty spoiled myself. Since the market opened this year we've also enjoyed Kathleen's pies and, of course, the Speranza's bread while our garden has benefited from the variety of plants available at the market. Stopping by the market on Friday afternoon is also a great way to catch up with your friends and neighbors as you linger over beautiful fresh vegetables.

Article: In Wahkiakum 'small farms are coming back, big time'

Eat local! Wahkiakum County farms make it easy to find tasty foods close to home

2007-05-24T22:52:19-07:00

CATHLAMET -- “No longer is it necessary to drive an hour or more for top-quality produce and breads,” says Heidi Heywood of Skamokawa. “Our family has loved joining the ‘slow food’ movement, made easy by purchasing naturally-raised vegetables from Stockhouse’s Farm, pasture-raised meats and eggs from Wooden Bridge Farm and wonderful artisan breads from the Inn at Crippen Creek Farm.” She says her daughters eat more vegetables and eggs as they see first hand where their food comes from, “and who can argue with a six year old falling in love with artichokes?”

Locals are increasingly falling head over heels for delectable farm-fresh goodies. Currently there are more than a dozen small farms in Wahkiakum County dedicated to growing and selling top-quality foods direct to customers. These farms are gaining a strong customer base by working together with WSU Wahkiakum County Extension to promote themselves and reach more local customers.

They began their work together in October 2004, when WSU Wahkiakum County Extension, Lower Columbia EDC and the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments initiated the first Wahkiakum Ag Summit. At the Summit, interested folks met each other and were excited to learn that they all had a common desire to grow and produce or buy local food. Participants identified a need to promote small farms with their top ideas being starting up a Farmers Market, creating a cooperative effort among farmers to market their products, and creating a Farm Map to advertise small farms and their products. A little over two years later, all of these ideas are reality thanks to the hard work of local farmers and WSU Wahkiakum County Extension.

WSU Extension Small Farms Coordinator, Carrie Kennedy, sees tremendous growth in locally. “People are surprised when I tell them how many vendors we have at the Farm Market, or how many farms we have in the Food and Farm Guide,” she says. “While the face of agriculture in Wahkiakum County has changed over the years, farming remains a thriving part of the Wahkiakum economy. More and more, farmers are finding revenue in agritourism and specialty organic or all-natural products.”

2006 was the first year Stockhouse’s Farm offered CSA (community support agriculture) for subscriptions produce grown on their farm. Produce subscriptions were an overwhelming success says Diane Stockhouse. The Stockhouse’s, along with Mike and Kim Howell of Little Island Farm, opened Two

Islands Farm Market in August. With a few other vendors, the community response was once again very positive. Market Manager Rob Stockhouse says “This will be our first full year and we are planning for more vendors and a much larger customer base. People are still learning that we are here.”

Two Islands Farm Market opens May 4 and will be open every Friday 3-6 p.m. through October. Stockhouse says about 10 vendors have signed up, selling vegetables, eggs, baked goods, perennials and meats. Wahkiakum County Master Gardeners will also have a booth, handing our plant growing advice along with educational posters and some kids’ activities. The Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network was initiated at last year’s Ag Summit. They work together with WSU Extension to promote small farms in the county, including publishing the Wahkiakum Food and Farm Guide. Last year, the first Guide included six farms. This year more than 14 farms and food purveyors are in the Guide, which includes a Farm Map. The Guide was distributed in the Eagle the first week of May, and is also available at several Wahkiakum locations; including the PUD, Chamber of Commerce and the Two Islands Farm Market.

Most of the Farm Market vendors are also members of the Food and Farm Network and are full time Wahkiakum County residents. The notable exception is Ginni Callahan and David Noel who, when they aren’t gardening are running their full time kayak business, in Mexico in the winter and on Puget Island in the summer. They specialize in onions and garlic which can be grown even when they are away.

“Local is the new organic” is a catch phrase used often these days. Wahkiakum farmers agree that it is more important to buy food grown and sold just a few steps or miles from where you live. Although most of these farms grow with no or few chemicals, Sarah Brown and Connor Voss of Elk Valley Guest Farm are unique in that, fresh out of collage, they have been hired to turn an old farm in Skamokawa into a certified organic operation. With all the energy of the young, they are growing veggie plants, fruits and produce to sell at the Farm Market while working towards the certification.

Keeping the local dollar at home is also important. “Pesticide and hormone free vegetables, eggs and meats are healthier, keep our planet healthier for all of us and bring dollars to the local economy while providing us all with the opportunity to engage socially and improve the quality of our lives,” says Bernadette Goodroe of Cathlamet who shops both at the Farm Market and through farmers she has contacted through the Food and Farm Network Guide.

Produce is not the only focus of this food effort in Wahkiakum County. Several farms are growing chemical free, pastured meat animals. Loren and Caroline Jennings at Greyfields offer pork, lamb, duck and goose. Scott and Dolly Hartzell of Kathleen’s Animal Protein grow free range chicken, turkeys and pork. Mike and Kim Howell at Little Island Farm raise Boer goats and sell them for stock or meat. Dan and Cindy Turner of Wooden Bridge Farm take orders for turkeys butchered for Thanksgiving. Eggs from free range chickens are available at many of the farms and always at the Farm Market.

Bed and Breakfast establishments have long been associated with good food. Kathleen Morgain who along with her husband, Steve, owns Twin Gables Bed and Breakfast in Skamokawa sells delicious pies she made that morning from local fruit at the Farm Market. Don and Kitty Speranza of The Inn at Crippen Creek Farm sell warm from the oven artisan bread at the Farm Market as well as through bread subscriptions and at Skamokawa Center grocery.

And what is in the future for this group of Wahkiakum farmers? Kim Howell of Little Island Farm sees promise in staying true to the area’s agricultural heritage. “Wahkiakum County has been largely dependent upon timber revenue to support the County budget. To sustain the level of services we've all come to expect, our revenue source needs to diversify. Encouraging agriculture related business is one way to do that. Supporting our local farmers and WSU Extension is a great way build agritourism and our local economy.”

Photos by Kathleen Morgain. Artwork by Caroline Jennings.

Wahkiakum County’s 3rd Annual Ag Summit

2007-04-27T22:50:02-07:00

Join local food enthusiasts and farmers on Saturday, May 5th to network and hear from agricultural and marketing experts, and learn to tap into expanding markets for organic and locally produced foods.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with keynote speaker Tim Crosby of 21 Acre Farm in Woodinville, Washington. Crosby was recently featured in the Capital Press emphasizing the value of eating locally produced foods to food security and the economy. "When food is fresh, local and tied to farmers who are benefiting their communities, everyone comes out ahead," he explained.

Morning sessions will also include Gary Burkhalter, a Rosburg dairy farmer, speaking on his family farm’s transition to organic and selling through Organic Valley cooperative.

A representative from the WSDA Organic program will speak in the afternoon on organic certification. Afternoon sessions also include Mary Embleton, executive director of Cascade Harvest Coalition and Puget Sound Fresh. She’ll speak on their promotion of Puget Sound farms with the Puget Sound Fresh brand. Also, we’ll hear from Jennifer Johnson, Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce director, on local efforts to create a regional brand for products grown in the Lower Columbia region.

Lunch is available for a small fee. Call or e-mail Carrie at the WSU Wahkiakum County Extension office to RSVP: 795-3278 (cakennedy@wsu.edu)

Mark your calendar:
Saturday, May 5th, 9:30 – 3:30
River Street Meeting Room, 25 River Street, Cathlamet, WA

Hope to see you there!

Stockhouse Farm Receives Community Award

2007-02-18T22:08:20-08:00

Rob and Diane Stockhouse, owners of Stockhouse Farm and Rog’s Retreat, were recently awarded the Laddie Metcalf Award by the Lower Columbia Economic Development Council (LCEDC). The award is given each year to recognize businesses in Wahkiakum County that contribute to making our communities better places to live, work and play through both their economic activities and their civic involvement.

In 2006, Rob and Diane started the county’s first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription service; offering the community an opportunity to purchase weekly bags of freshly harvested vegetables, eggs and cut flowers all produced on their Puget Island farm. They were also instrumental in starting the weekly Two Islands Farm Market last summer, which not only offered naturally grown farm products for sale, but also became a community happening – a place for friends and neighbors to meet and visit. In addition, the Stockhouses are both active members of several Boards of community service organizations and give generously of their time and talents for the betterment of our community. We are truly lucky to have them as members of our community!

This portrait of Rob and Diane Stockhouse was painted by David Goodroe and presented along with the Laddie Metcalf Award.

New Additions at Little Island Farm

2007-01-18T15:44:55-08:00

Mike and Kim Howell of Little Island Farm recently welcomed four new additions to their Boer goat herd. Born just after Thanksgiving, these four new “kids” are full of spunk and personality. Pictured here are two full blood registered bucklings with daughters Ailea and Lynnea. These two are currently being bottle-fed.

The Howells are raising percentage, purebred and full blood Boer goats, a breed known for quality meat production and breeding stock.

Did you know that goat meat (chevon) is the most highly consumed meat in the world? In fact 80% of the world’s population eats goat meat. Offering less calories and fat than other types of red meat, chevon is both flavorful and healthy. Supplying the growing U.S. demand for goat meat is an emerging business opportunity that Mike and Kim plan to capitalize on.

New Addition to Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network

2007-01-05T17:36:39-08:00

Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network welcomes new members Ginni Callahan and David Noel of Slow Boat Farm. Ginni and David showcased their delicious produce at last summer's Two Island Farms Market, including sweet Walla Walla onions. Ginni and David have rehabilitated an old Puget Island farm into an inspiring sustainable small farm and kayak guiding business -- see their progress on their website at http://www.columbiariverkayaking.com/sbfarm.html

Slow Boat Farm
Ginni Callahan & David Noel
422 East Birnie Slough Rd Cathlamet, WA 98612
360-849-4016
ginnical@yahoo.com
http://www.columbiariverkayaking.com/sbfarm.html

Products:

Fruit:(September) Apples
Berries: (July-August) Strawberries
Vegetables: (July-September) Arugula, Beans, Carrots, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Favas, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Peppers, Squash, and Tomatoes.
Flowers: (July-September) U-Cut or Cut-to-Order Sunflowers, Calendula, and Wildflowers.

Thursday Market at Puget Island

2006-08-29T11:30:57-07:00

Now you can purchase Wahkiakum-fresh foods on a regular basis at the Two Island Farms Market, Thursdays 3-6 p.m., located at Stockhouses Farm on West Bernie Slough Rd. The market has a great selection of fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables -- and now bread! Fresh-baked artisan breads from the Speranzas are available, but come early because these delicious breads go FAST! Be sure to try the Foccacia; Don Speranza won first place at the County Fair for this treasured recipe.

Fairgoers Connect with Farmers Market

2006-08-29T11:17:25-07:00

The Wahkiakum Farmers Market sold lots and made great connections with County Fairgoers. Many came by Saturday and Sunday for seconds and thirds of green beans or beets, saying their first tastes on Thursday or Friday of local, fresh foods were "so good!" Thank you to all the farmers and to the Elochoman Valley Partners for providing beautiful crafts, plants and produce to our community!

County Fair, Here We Come!

2006-08-06T15:29:20-07:00

Wahkiakum County Fair, August 17th- 20th, will be featuring the Wahkiakum Farmers Market each day 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Look for fresh produce from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring selections from Little Island Farm and Stockhouses Farm. Local artisans will offer a variety of products throughout the day, including handcrafted jewelry. The Skamokawa Grange will also be selling hot-buttered corn at the market -- straight from a Skamokawa farm to you!

What is the Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network?

2006-08-01T16:00:00-07:00

The Wahkiakum Food and Farm Network works with local farmers, WSU Extension Wahkiakum County and conscientious consumers to encourage awareness of Wahkiakum-grown farm products, and to develop relationships between farms and the community. Buying local farm products is a healthier way to feed yourself and your family and helps to preserve our rural way of life.

Formed during the Second Annual Ag Summit in February 2006, the Food and Farm Network has already brought together members of the local farming community and consumers in significant ways. We have restarted the local farmer's market and created a guide to local farms.

The farmer's market is taking place in conjunction with events in the county to maximie the potential interaction between food producers and consumers. Upcoming farmer's markets include the Grays River Covered Bridge Festival on August 5th and the Wahkiakum County Fair on August 17th-20th. (Farmer's Market press release.)

The Wakhiakum Food and Farm Network guide offers a centralized directory of local farms and food producers, making it easier for customers to locate and purchase fresh, nutritious and healthy products. The first edition of the guide includes a range of farmers with fresh produce, nursery plants, flowers, eggs, and a variety of meats including lamb, goat, turkey, and chicken. For information about future editions of the guide, contact Carrie Kennedy at 360.795.3278.

This site provides a way for local food producers and consumers to come together and discuss a variety of things: what's being harvested this week, upcoming events, interesting news related to food and food production, and so on. Future activities will also be announced here. We invite interested persons to join us (both online and in person) to share their ideas and help the local food community thrive.