Port Townsend Local Market Place

Port Townsend now has online farmers

Farmers of the farmers market celebrate year of growth

It's not often that the farmers of Jefferson County get to sit at a banquet of gourmet local food for $75 a plate.

In part, that's because there aren't many banquets made entirely of gourmet local food, though the Port Townsend Farmers Market third annual Harvest Dinner on Oct. 26 was certainly the exception.

But in part it's also because most farmers can't afford the $75. The growth of local farms and the ranks of farmers, marked by the rapid growth of the farmers market here, has not changed the economics of small farms. It's hard work through many hours through many cold months that produces a barely livable wage. That's the way it looks to longtime farmer Robert Greenway of Corona Farm.

"The success of the market truly rests on the farmers," he said, "and this is a raggedy, wily, persistent bunch, for the most part willing to work 60- to 70-hour weeks for a few bucks an hour." While many local farmers have been at it for years, others are new and bring new energy and skills to the fields. Among those new skills, said Greenway, are business models that "show them, rather harshly, just how hard they are working and how little they are compensated for it." There are exceptions, such as farms supported by family money or a strong legacy, he said.

World Peace Produce - Port Hadlock, Rhody Drive

A video postcard of World Peace Produce in Port Hadlock, WA. The fresh fruit and vegetable stand will close in December and open in May 2009.

Currently, local farmers (Nash's, Colinwood Farms, Solstice Farms and Red Dog Farm) organic produce is available from the road side outlet.

Chimacum Farmers' Market

Chimacum Farmers' Market (Map) opens June 1.



Chimacum Farmers’ Market Mission Statement and Vision

The Chimacum Farmers’ Market is committed to local agriculture and community, offering the means for the two groups to come together in a mutually beneficial relationship.

The market helps form and strengthen the relationship between farmers and consumers, improving customer base for the farmers, giving consumers better access to fresh local food, thereby fortifying the food network on the Olympic Peninsula.

Hours: Sundays, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Contact: Molly Fahrenschon (360)821-1035

Full Circle Farm Promotional Video

Full Circle Farm, a family farm growing more than 75 varieties of certified organic fruits and vegetables in the Snoqualmie Valley, produced an excellent short promotional video. To my ear, the music merry-go-round could have been cut, but all in all, it is a good production for small farmers to use as a model to make their own.

Klaus Hintermavr, Hillside Farm

Klaus Hintermavr, Hillside Farm Market Board Member, talks about opening day of the 2007 season.

November 4th Market Memories

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Listen to the interview with Jack Olmsted, 4-H Network News, and Zach Wailand, Dharma Ridge Farm.


Selling produce in the wind and rain.

Good stomping puddles.

Interview: Karyn Williams Old Tarboo Farm

Old Tarboo Farm is 25 acres, a quarter of the original Keher homestead established in 1899 ouside of Quilcene, WA. They cultivate 2 acres of the land; the remainder hosts woods, scrubland, wetlands and 3-acre pond, all of which provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. Tarboo Creek, which runs through the corner of our farm, supports Coho and Chum salmon.

An Interview with Sunfield Farms

Katherine Baril, WSU Jefferson County Extension, talks to Sebastian, Sunfield Farms, at the Port Townsend Farmers Market.

COMMUNITY FOOD AND FARM PROJECT

Sunfield has launched the Community Food and Farm Project thanks to a three year grant from the Community Food Projects Program of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (grant number # 2005-33800-16454). This project will develop an organic farm, using biodynamic methods, to provide local youth with agricultural work experience, job-skills training, entrepreneurial skills and opportunities, and community leadership.

Lana Bayal At Nash's Organic Produce

Jack Olmsted, 4-H Network News, talks to Lana Bayal, Nash's Organic Produce, about farming in the Dungeness Valley.

4-H News: WSU Master Gardeners

Katherine Baril interviews a couple of Master Gardners at the PT Farmers Market.

As trained and certified members of a volunteer program sponsored by Washington State University Extension, Master Gardeners assist the Extension in providing information to home gardeners about sound and sustainable gardening practices. These practices include integrated pest management, efficient watering systems, improving the soil with the recycling of garden wastes and choosing appropriate plants for trouble-free landscapes. More Information

4-H News: Ananda Hill Farms

Dharma Ridge Farm Interview

In the Valley at Dharma Ridge
By Carol Anne Modena, Staff Writer Port Townsend Food Coop

When I got to the muddy end of the road leading to Dharma Ridge Farm in February, I saw green, level Beaver Valley bottomland and the skeleton of a barn. When Zach and Haley Wailand look at these 10 acres, they see a finished barn, greenhouses, fruit trees, berry bushes and fields of organic crops that they dream about to feed their family and their community.

They started feeding us last spring as one of the earliest growers at the farmers market, with crops from the rocky soil at the top of Dharma Ridge, and more from a rented acre with three giant greenhouses on Egg & I Road. They worked hard last year and grew an impressive range of vegetables and fruits. Zach describes more than one occasion of picking well past sundown, guided by their truck's headlights.

But these fertile valley acres, cow pasture for more than 100 years, are where they hope to collect all their efforts in one place. They're experienced and realistic enough to know it will take some time and a "lot of grunting," and they're clear-eyed and focused enough to convince me they can make it happen.

Katherine Baril Interviews Susanne Tradewind Farms

Katherine Baril, Jefferson County Extension Faculty Director Community Development & Leadership, Interviews Susanne, Tradewind Farms, opening day of the Port Townsend Farmers Market.

Showers dampen farmers market, but not the spirit

by EVAN CAEL
Peninsula Daily News

PORT TOWNSEND -- Despite blustery wind and falling raindrops, crowds turned out with excitement on the opening day Saturday of the Port Townsend Farmers Market.

Rows of booths selling fresh, locally grown produce, plants, crafts and food lined Tyler Street where it intersects with Lawrence Street to kick off the 2006 season of the Farmers Market, the largest regular outdoor market west of Seattle.

Beginning at 9 a.m., market vendors provided local residents with what they've been anticipating all winter long. (Read More)

Mikiya Lockhart Willow Wind Gardens

An interview with Mikiya Lockhart, owner Willow Wind Gardens, at the Port Townsend Farmers Market.

Katherine Baril Interviews Jennie Watkins

Katherine Baril, WSU Jefferson County Extension, interviews Jennie Watkins, Anada Hill Farms about her French Chickens on opening day of the 2006 Port Townsend Farmers Market.

Interview: Karyn Williams Old Tarboo Farm

Old Tarboo Farm is 25 acres, a quarter of the original Keher homestead established in 1899 ouside of Quilcene, WA. They cultivate 2 acres of the land; the remainder hosts woods, scrubland, wetlands and 3-acre pond, all of which provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. Tarboo Creek, which runs through the corner of our farm, supports Coho and Chum salmon.