Sequim chamber hears of farms branding campaign

SEQUIM — The teenage boy, speaking with conviction, set the tone Tuesday for a rousing discussion of the farming life.

He was Carson Lewis, 15, a Future Farmer of America, and as he addressed a roomful of Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce members, he pointed the way toward a bright, delicious horizon.

Reciting the FFA creed as if it came straight from his heart, the Sequim High School student began with his belief in “the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.”

Lewis’ finish was as strong as his start. “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life,” he said, “and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”

Next up, to further inspire the crowd, was Curtis Beus, a seasoned promoter of small family farms and the Washington State University Extension agent for Clallam County.

Sequim and its environs have lost 70 percent of the farmland that once produced grain, dairy products, vegetables, hogs, sheep and beef, Beus began.

But he said there’s still a good 22,000 acres out there of fertile ground — along with people who want to grow food — so now is the time to put our money where our mouths are, he said.

Branding campaign

Beus is working on a branding campaign for local farmers and local food, and while the effort is in its earliest stage, he envisions a sector of the local economy that’s filled with flavor and good for us in several ways.

And so he reeled off a top-10 list of right things about having small family farms in your county.

• Local food tastes better, since it wasn’t bred to be tough enough for machine harvest and long-distance travel.

• Family farms protect the environment, as small-scale growers tend to be good stewards of the land.

• “Buying locally grown food conserves precious resources,” Beus said, since jets and trucks didn’t have to bring it here.

• “Thriving family farms strengthen rural economies,” by putting people to work and by forming community organizations.

• Buying local lets you learn how your food was grown, and helps you to select safe, nutritious food from farmers you know.

• “Family farms help children learn healthy values; it’s fun,” said Beus, to take them to visit a farm.

• Local farms often protect and promote genetic diversity, which is necessary for the health of our food supply.

• Local farms grow a feast for the senses, whether you’re out for a Sunday bike ride or sitting down to a dinner of local grass-fed beef, Ozette potatoes and fresh carrots, with apple crisp for dessert.

• Local farms keep taxes in check, since farmers and large tracts of land don’t require intensive government services.

• Diverse family farms contribute to the security of our food supply by ensuring that nutritious products will be available in the event of a disaster that cuts off shipments from outside the North Olympic Peninsula.

“We do not know what the future holds,” Beus said. But he believes having land and the people who farm it provides the seeds for future generations.

“Local farms provide security,” so we don’t want to let them slip away, he said.

Isolated, uncertain

Local growers tell him, however, that they feel isolated and uncertain about sustaining their farms.

Although many people want to buy local, Beus added, they don’t have time to go to a farmers’ market that’s only open a few hours a week.

“We need a community campaign. We have to figure out how to get local food to be more convenient and accessible,” Beus said.

“This is something we’re working toward. We want to partner with as many organizations as we can.”

In an interview after his talk, and after applause from the chamber members, Beus added that he welcomes calls from groups interested in this local-sustenance effort at his WSU Extension office.

He can be reached at 360-417-2280.

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Janet Lucas, left, finds a special purchase of a “mail manager” at Swains early Friday morning. Black Friday shoppers descended on the Port Angeles store at 8 a.m. There were dozens of early risers who went looking for special bargains on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Black Friday

Janet Lucas, left, finds a special purchase of a “mail manager” at… Continue reading

Clallam adopts housing needs

Population projected at 86,700 by 2045

The Wall That Heals, a Vietnam War memorial, coming to Port Townsend

Opening ceremony to be held at Jefferson County airport on Sept. 11

Sherry Phillips, chair of the Festival of Trees design committee, stands next to the tree Twelve Days of Christmas, which she designed personally. (Leah Leach/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles woman shares joy of decorating trees

Sherry Phillips lends talent for all of festival’s 34 years

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Public hearings set on proposed 2025 budgets

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

Serving up a Thanksgiving meal are, from left, Taylor Hale, Gina Landon, Shawn Lammers, Ryan Lammers, Sara Taylor and Jean Ball, all volunteers with Holiday Meals, located in the Tri-Area neighborhoods of Chimacum, Port Hadlock and Irondale. The group expected to serve up to 460 full Thanksgiving dinners with 287 being picked up, 118 delivered and 55 eaten at the Tri-Area Community Center. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Thanksgiving meals kick off holiday joy

Smiles, warmth light up Queen of Angels Catholic Church

From left, Gail Jangarrd, Bob Dunbar and Sammy Dionne treat a lucky dog to a biscuit made with organic, healthy and human-grade ingredients.
Gatheringplace to open public phase of capital campaign

Nonprofit to construct building for developmentally disabled

Port of Port Townsend on track to hit revenue goal

Agency receives eight bids on stormwater treatment project

The outside of the Vern Burton Community Center is decorated with giant Christmas balls and lighted trees on Wednesday for the opening ceremonies of the Festival of Trees. “White Christmas” was played by the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra’s brass quintet and then sung by Amanda Bacon. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Festival of Trees opens

The outside of the Vern Burton Community Center is decorated with giant… Continue reading

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on… Continue reading

Grants to help Port Angeles port upgrades

Projects, equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Joseph Molotsky holds Jet, a Harris’s hawk. Jet, 14 or 15, has been at Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue for about seven years. Jet used to hunt with a falconer and was brought to the rescue after sustaining injuries while attempting to escape an attack from a gray horned owl in Eastern Washington. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Wild bird rescue to host open house

Officials to showcase expanded educational facilities