 FARMER DIGEST
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Hello farmers!
Summer is winding down and it's time to start (or start thinking about) working on your business rather than in your business. See below for a great list of opportunities that can help. Be sure to check out our Current Opportunities Webpage to see additional open and upcoming grants, workshops, conferences, and more.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If you're feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to turn, WSU Extension's Free Therapy Voucher Program offers 6 free online sessions with a trained psychologist. You are not alone!
Questions or comments about this email? Send us a note: Smallfarms@agr.wa.gov.
WSDA REGIONAL MARKETS PROGRAM UPDATES
LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT NOW OPEN!
The purpose of the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program is to support local food supply chains and market access for Washington farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. The grant funds projects that expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in regional food supply chains in Washington.
This includes equipment, and facilities for post-harvest handling (including slaughter), aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, distribution, or sale of Washington grown, caught, and raised food.
There are two different project types and several different timelines. Please see the grant webpage to learn more. For grant questions please reach out to localfoodinfrastructure@agr.wa.gov.
WA MEAT UP QUARTERLY CALL
Are you poultry curious and interested in getting into raising birds for sale?
Are you currently selling poultry and wondering if its time to scale up?
Do you want a chance to connect with fellow producers and processors and share knowledge and stories?
Join fellow local meat producers, processors, supporters, and more for our next quarterly ALL CALL focused on POULTRY! Come hear from WSDA Food Safety and two great Washington poultry businesses about the ups, downs, ins, and outs of all things birdy.
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Caleb James, SW Regional Manager for WSDA Food Safety will be sharing important reminders for using the WSDA Special Poultry Permit (1,000 bird limit).
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Janelle and Jerry Stokesbury from Stokesbury Sustainable Farm will share stories and strategies they learned over nearly 2 decades of poultry production and processing.
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Lulu Redder from Feral Woman Farms & Feisty Fowl will share her experience of building a poultry processing and production business from the ground up and some tips you might want if you are thinking of doing the same.
When: Wednesday, September 3rd 10:00 -11:45 a.m.
Where: Zoom
OCTOBER 8 IS TASTE WASHINGTON DAY!
Every year on a day in October, schools shine a spotlight on farm to school connections and serve meals featuring the bounty of Washington’s harvest, from fresh fruits and veggies, to dairy, meat, fish, seafood, grains, and legumes. Students learn about the farmers, fishers, and producers who grow, harvest, catch, and make local foods and the importance of agriculture in their community and across Washington state.
Taste Washington Day is not possible without farmer participation! This is a great opportunity to create new relationships with school districts and dip your toes into selling to schools, even if you don’t have a large volume of products available. Farms interested in participating can complete the form below. The information you provide will be shared with school districts looking for local products for their Taste Washington Day celebrations.
OPPORTUNITIES FROM OTHER PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is administering a competitive solicitation process to award 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for proposals that enhance the competitiveness and increase demand of Washington specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). See USDA definition of Specialty Crop.
Eligibility: Non-profit organizations; local, state, federal government entities, including tribal governments; public or private colleges and universities, and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
The project must clearly and directly impact Washington state specialty crop producers or processors. The SCBGP will not award grant funds for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. This program will not provide funds to start or expand a farm or other business venture.
Phase 1 Concept Proposals due: October 15, 12 p.m.
>> See list of 2024 Grant Recipients
>> Read the full Request for Proposals
Questions? Contact specialtycrop@agr.wa.gov
 SEPTEMBER IS EAT LOCAL MONTH!
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Celebrate Eat Local Month and benefit from a marketing boost! Eat Local First has put together a great set of resources to help your farm, ranch, or local food business stand out.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
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NORTHWEST FIELD DAY: FLOWER SEED PRODUCTION
Visit the Organic Seed Alliance Northwest Research Farm and Lunaseed Farm located at Finnriver Farm and Cidery in Chimacum, Washington for an experienced look at organic flower seed production and processing.
This field day offers experienced flower farmers an opportunity for a deep dive into seed yield research, flower breeding, and the ever-present questions of quality vs. quantity. The tour will also include a calendula seed cleaning demonstration with a Winnow Wizard. This workshop is designed for experienced farmers, farmworkers, seed producers, and cut flower producers.
When: Sept 3, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Chimacum
Cost: Tour is free, dinner is $20
PROCESSING OF ACIDIFIED FOODS - JAMS, JELLIES, PICKLES, BBQ AND HOT SAUCE
This workshop will provide the region's small and very small-scale food processors with up-to-date information and technical knowledge of the acid/acidified food product development process for the specialty food industry and how to bring such products to market, targeted to start-up entrepreneurs and food product developers.
Agenda
- What is an Acid/Acidified Foods?
- Microbiological hazards associated with acidified canned foods
- Importance of pH and water activity
- pH of common fruits and vegetables
- Principles of processing of acidified foods
- Applicable food safety regulations
- Basic aspects of labeling
- How to complete FDA process filings?
Dates/Locations:
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Sept 3 / Ferndale / 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Sept 4 / Friday Harbor / 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Sept 5 / Snohomish / 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Sept 15 / Newport / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Sept 16 / Prosser / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Sept 17 / Dayton / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $30, includes snacks, materials, and lunch
ACCESSING CAPITAL FOR FARM & FOOD: A DEEP DIVE
Join Business Impact NW, in partnership with the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center (NWRM RFBC) Right-Size Investing and Infrastructure team, for a deep dive into accessing capital for farm and food businesses. On Monday, Sept 8, 3:00-4:00 p.m., Kyle Lovell, Chief Lending Officer at Business Impact NW, will present an overview of flexible loan products to help start or grow your business and the basics of becoming loan ready with Q&A time. Later in the week, book 1-on-1 sessions with Business Impact NW Loan Officers to discuss the specifics of your individual business and capital needs. Find out what lending options might be available now or in the future to grow and scale your farm or food business and receive recommendations on next steps.
When:
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Workshop: Mon Sept 8, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
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Loan Officer 1-on-1 Virtual Sessions: Wed, Sept 10th; Thu, Sept 11th; Fri, Sept 12th - Appointment times vary
Where: Virtual
PROCESSING FOR SMALL SCALE MAKERS AND/OR BECOMING A CO-PACKER
Join the Northwest and Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Business Center, Oregon Food Hub Network, and Hannah Kullberg to learn more about two different aspects of the business of food processing. Each session includes a presentation and Q&A.
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1:00-2:00 p.m.: Hannah will introduce our new Processing for Small Makers Toolkit and walk you through common questions, best practices, and resources to help you get started with your food business. This portion of the workshop is designed for both small and beginning makers, and the organizations who work with and advise small and beginning food makers.
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2:00-3:00 p.m.: Hannah will introduce our new Becoming a Co-Packer toolkit as well as work through common questions, best practices and resources. This hour is for those of you who are already processing and are interested in exploring offering processing services.
These sessions will be recorded. Recordings, slides and toolkits will be made available in the OR Food Hub Network resource folder.
When: Sept 9, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Optional free Office Hours:
AG MOVEMENT WORKSHOP
Join Labor-Movement for a movement health and wellness workshop from an athletic perspective for those whose livelihoods rely on their body. Discussion of how athleticism fits into physical labor and what movement self-advocacy is. These workshops are grant funded through Western region Extension Risk Management Education centers and are only open to those working in agriculture (land or sea).
Topics covered include:
- overall health related to athlete well-being
- learn tips on managing food, fluid, sleep, and stress
- high use movement patterns: hinge, squat, and carries
- ways to reduce occurrence of low back pain and injury
When:
- Wednesday, Sept 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m. OR
- Sunday, Sept 14, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual
AG ENTREPRENEURS SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization have partnered with Consortium Leadership Development, LLC to develop and leverage business, and conservation plans to aid agricultural enterprises (farms and ranches) and small businesses on how to function as successful operations. Learn from the Small Business Association, NRCS, Rural Development, Farm Services Agency, SCORE and other partners to learn about the various tools, resources, and opportunities available to support your agricultural business.
When: Sept 11, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Where: Olympia
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CULTIVATING SUCCESS: WHOLE FARM PLANNING
WSU Extension will be offering their Cultivating Success courses this fall. Courses are offered statewide, online and with Spanish interpretation. This course will cover a broad range of topics including production and markets for today’s small farm! Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you’ll learn what it takes to create, sustain, and grow a viable small farm. Spanish interpretation provided.
When: Sept. 22nd through Nov. 3rd, Mondays from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Online course through Zoom with regional in-person opportunities
Cost: $200 registration per farm (up to 3 participants). (Scholarships available for anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier).
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PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING
Who Should Attend: Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’
What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course: The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
- Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
- Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
When: Sept 24 & 25, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Cost: $125
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NATIVE GROWN AND GATHERED FOOD EXPO
Join Tahoma Peak in Seattle for a vibrant gathering celebrating Native food systems and Tribal Food Sovereignty. The Native Grown & Gathered Food Expo unites Tribal nations, food producers, chefs, artists, and advocates from across the Northwest and beyond. Whether you’re a supporter of Indigenous foodways or simply looking to experience the richness of Native food traditions, storytelling, and innovation, we invite you to be part of this powerful gathering.
When: October 1-3, 2025
Where: Seattle, WA
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FIRE PREPAREDNESS FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners in Northeastern Washington are invited to gather at Lazy R Ranch for a day of community-building and hands-on learning. The gathering is for small to mid-sized producers who are interested in learning more about building resilience to fire through management and community support.
We’ll spend time discussing regional fire risks, touring Lazy R Ranch to learn how fire has impacted their operation, and exploring strategies for building community resilience to mitigate fire danger.
Join American Farmland Trust for part one of a four-part series, based on the award-winning curriculum from Farmer Campus.
When: Sat October 4, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Cheney
Cost: Free. Travel stipends available.
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