Farm Fund Archives | Community Food Co-op

Pure Nelida: A 2019 Next Step Recipient

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

April 2019

Nelida Martinez and her daughter hold organic veggies on pure nelida organic farm in skagit county washington

Nelida Martinez (at right) and her daughter hold armloads of organic produce grown on her farm in the Skagit Valley.

“Me gusta mucho crecer las plantas, producir buena alimentación, para alguien más. Me gusta mucho, este trabajo es mi pasión!” says Nelida, owner of Pure Nelida Organic Produce.

Translation: I like to grow plants and provide nourishment for everyone. I like it a lot, this work is my passion!

Photo courtesy of Pure Nelida.

Pure Nelida: A 2019 Next Step Grant and Loan Recipient

The story of Pure Nelida began 30 years ago when Nelida Martinez learned to cultivate fruits and vegetables in the fields of California.

For many years, she and her family worked and lived under the hot sun while being exposed to pesticides.

Nelida’s personal interest in organic food comes from her son’s diagnosis of leukemia and her suspicion that the disease arose due to the many years the family spent working in the pesticide-ridden fields of California. Despite a long battle, Nelida ultimately lost her son to the disease.

After moving to Washington, Nelida enrolled in bilingual sustainable farming courses, developed a business plan for an organic farm, and gained experience with organic farming with the assistance of Viva Farms in Skagit County, Washington state’s first bilingual farm business incubator.

Nelida’s passion as a farm owner has her always thinking of ways to improve her farming methods and expand her farm. She is currently farming on nine acres and plans to lease five additional acres.

photo of zlex perez of northwest agriculture business council and jean rogers of community food coop farm fund presenting a big check to nelida martinez of pure nelida

(from left) Alex Perez from Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Nelida Martinez from Pure Nelida, and Jean Rogers from the Co-op’s Farm Fund, gather to present Next Step grant and loan funds to Nelida.

The funds will be used to purchase and construct a large durable greenhouse that will help Nelida expand her business and increase efficiency on the farm

Unfortunately, this past winter windstorms destroyed the greenhouse she used to start her plants. Next Step grant and loan funds will be used to purchase and construct a large durable greenhouse that will help Nelida expand her business and increase efficiency on the farm.

Pure Nelida currently sells produce to the Puget Sound Food Hub, which delivers fresh produce to our stores. Nelida is also working to expand into more wholesale markets. Among other products, the farm sells berries, tomatillos, kale, chard, onions, corn, potatoes, and jalapeño, chili, and bell peppers.

Edited and reprinted with permission of Pure Nelida Organic Produce and Viva Farms.

Learn More

Learn more about Pure Nelida and Viva Farms. Find information about the Co-op's Farm Fund grant and loan programs.

Working Together to Increase Food Access

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

February 2019

Innovative Farm Fund Recipients Increase Food Access

The Co-op’s 2018 Farm Fund and Next Step grant recipients recently wrapped up a successful year. Thirteen farms and food-focused organizations received grants in 2018, and as we were reading their final reports, we noticed an inspiring pattern.

employed creative solutions to increase food access in underserved communities

In alignment with one of the Co-op’s core strategic goals, the following four projects, in particular, employed creative solutions to increase food access in underserved communities.

Along the way, some much-needed new markets for locally produced goods were created and new relationships were forged between neighbors, farmers, and community groups that can continue to blossom in coming years.

close up photo of produce offered at the birchwood community farm stand

Farm stands have proven to be one effective way to increase food access to under-served communities and to benefit small farms by providing new markets for their fresh seasonal produce. The personal interactions at farm stands also foster new relationships that may result in innovative ideas to address food insecurity and barriers to healthy food access. Food builds community!

Photo courtesy of Birchwood Community Farm Stand

Birchwood Community Farm Stand & City Sprouts

In the Birchwood neighborhood, two projects working in concert increased food access for area residents left without a local grocer since the Albertsons store closed in 2016.

City Sprouts cleared one-quarter of an acre to grow mixed vegetables in the heart of the neighborhood, and The Birchwood Community Farm Stand operated every Saturday throughout the summer and participated monthly in the new Birchwood International Market.

Along the way, this project also increased food access by working with and donating food to the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters; donating leftover farmstand produce to Birchwood Manor, a local housing facility for seniors and people with disabilities; and collaborating with 10 other small-scale local farmers to share advice and work together to create a new market for their goods.

photo of the birchwood community farm stand

Photo courtesy of Bellingham Community Farm Stand.

Sustainable Connections Food to Bank On

Food to Bank On, which started as a Co-op Farm Fund project, is a beginning farmer training program providing resources and mentorship to support the success of new farms while providing fresh, local food to area food banks.

The program reimbursed participating farmers for $10,000 in donations to food banks and hunger relief agencies and introduced farmers to innovative programs such as the Community Action of Skagit County loan program in which farmers can repay a loan with produce. One Food to Bank On participant purchased a tractor through the loan program and plans to pay back the loan over three years by growing lettuce for Skagit County food banks.

the pollen folly farm family standing in corn crop

Food To Bank On participants Pollen Folly Farm. Photo courtesy of Diane Padys Photography .

Seed Money, a project of Bellingham Food Bank

Seed Money, a project supported since its inception by the Farm Fund, entered into agreements with five expanding organic farms to provide “seed money” in exchange for growing produce for distribution through Bellingham Food Bank.

In addition to Bellingham Food Bank’s central distribution and two satellite food pantries at Christ the King Church and Alderwood Elementary School, produce was also shared with the migrant farmworker community through a partnership with Sea Mar Community Health Centers and Agape Service Project, and with families at Lummi Nation through Lummi Housing Authority and Lummi Tribal Health Center.

The Seed Money project also fosters long-term relationships between Bellingham Food Bank and Whatcom County farms. Nearly half of the food bank’s largest current contract accounts are with former participants in the Seed Money project.

sorting fresh produce at the bellingham food bank

Sorting fresh produce at Bellingham Food Bank. Photo courtesy of Damian Vines.

Twin Sisters Market

Twin Sisters Market, in the underserved areas of Nugent’s Corner and Kendall, nearly doubled its 2017 sales with a grant nicknamed “Pile it High and Watch it Fly” that paid farmers for excess product brought to its Saturday markets.

As a result, more than $3,000 worth of fresh food was donated to the Foothills Food Bank near Kendall. In addition to the nine farms that directly benefited from the grant funding, market customers benefited from increased product selection, and an additional 14 farms selling as vending members indirectly benefited from the substantially larger market presence and increased overall sales.

Who benefits from the Co-op’s Farm Fund? We all do!

We are excited to see the creativity and initiative that these Farm Fund recipients took to leverage their grant funds and expand their projects beyond the initial proposed goals. No wonder farmers are renowned for their wide-ranging know-how and ingenuity. From fixing busted tractors to creating innovative markets for their products, with the proper resources, farmers can accomplish great things.

The Co-op is excited to see the innovations of the 2019 Farm Fund recipients.

Be a Farm Funder

The need in the farming community is clear, and with more resources the Farm Fund can help. Donating is easy. The next time you shop, let your cashier know that you’d like to round up to support the farm fund or donate online.

What is the Co-op’s Farm Fund?

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

February 2019

The Community Food Co-op’s Farm Fund works to increase the supply of local, sustainable, and organic food by supporting and establishing projects that strengthen the local farming community.

The Farm Fund also works to educate consumers, increase access to local food, and encourage ecological and socially responsible stewardship of our farmland.

Who benefits from the Co-op’s Farm Fund? We all do!

The Community Food Co-op’s Farm Fund works to increase the supply of local, sustainable, and organic food by supporting and establishing projects that strengthen the local farming community.

The Farm Fund also works to educate consumers, increase access to local food, and encourage ecological and socially responsible stewardship of our farmland.

Over half of the Whatcom and Skagit county farms supplying our produce department have directly benefitted or participated in a Farm Fund-supported program as well as various suppliers to the Co-op’s meat, dairy, frozen, and prepared food departments.

produce aisle clerk at Community Food Co-Op

How Does It Work?

Since 2000, the Co-op Farm Fund has provided $383,825+ to more than 55 local food and farming projects through grants, loans, scholarships, and emergency funds.

The Co-op dedicates a portion of its annual donation budget to the Farm Fund, but it couldn’t exist without the many organizations and individuals that support its mission with monetary donations and volunteer hours.

the Co-op Farm Fund has provided $383,825+ to more than 55 local food and farming projects

Our partner organizations—Sustainable Whatcom Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation, Industrial Credit Union, and Sustainable Connections—not only help with funding, but also help by contributing their areas of expertise.

The all-volunteer Farm Fund advisory committee of local farmers, food and farming advocacy groups, and Co-op member-owners, reviews annual grant and loan applications and helps identify ways in which the Farm Fund can grow to meet needs in the farming community.

From the inception of the Farm Fund, Co-op member-owners have donated

And, most importantly, you—the Farm Fund-ers! From the inception of the Farm Fund, Co-op member-owners have donated to the fund and we simply couldn’t do it without your support.

staff at broad leaf farm hand weed rows of organic garlic

Staff at Broad Leaf Farm in Everson, one of Whatcom County's oldest established organic farms, hand weed rows of garlic. Farm owner Dusty Williams has been selling his organic produce to the Co-op since the turn of the century (yeah, we had one of those recently).

The farm, which has been certified organic since 1996, grows an abundant diversity of crops and delivers fresh produce to the Co-op produce departments three times per week during the harvest season.

Photo by Matt Curtis

What’s Next?

After nearly 20 years of demonstrated success, the Farm Fund is in a strong position to strive for even greater accomplishments in the coming years. The need in the farming community is clear, and with more resources (aka money) the Farm Fund can help.

The need in the farming community is clear

A snapshot of what can be accomplished with increased funding includes:

more low-interest loans and grants
an emergency fund, land access support
adaptations for climate change
increased representation and funding for women, Latino, and underserved local sustainable farmers.

How Do We Do It? We Need You!

Join the growing numbers of Farm Fund-ers! Together we can do an even better job of strengthening and stabilizing our local farms and protecting agricultural land for future generations to benefit from a reliable supply of local organic food for years to come.

Learn More

Learn more about the Community Food Co-op's Farm Fund on our website and donate online to support local, sustainable organic agriculture in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

2018 Farmer Award Recipients!

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

October 2018

Remember September? We can't stop reminiscing about the fun we had together!

To kick off Eat Local Month, the Co-op and Sustainable Connections hosted the Hootenanny to Benefit the Co-op’s Farm Fund at Boundary Bay Brewery.

All ages gathered together to celebrate community, dance, enjoy a delicious meal with ingredients specifically sourced from local farms, and to present the Local Farmer Awards.

woman at farm fair balancing pole on chin

photos by FotoMataio Fotografia on Instagram @fotomataio, courtesy of Eat Local First

We are thrilled to present the 2018 Local Farmer Award winners and tell you a little about each one.

As the late harvest season winds down it’s a perfect time to highlight the winners of the Local Farmer Awards, announced at the Farm Fund Hootenanny in September.

All the farmers who were nominated were fantastic, and selecting the recipients was a tough decision. As one nominator said, “pretty much all around classy group of people no matter where you turn.”

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated by their fellow farmers and local eaters.

2018 BRIGHT SPOT FARMER AWARD

Helen Solem,
Sumas River Farm

Some wonderful local farmers that add spark to our local food system were nominated, so we created a new award.

It is an honor to announce Helen, owner of Sumas River Farm as the recipient of the first Bright Spot Farmer Award.

Helen's many contributions run the gamut: delicious and unique produce and berries, participation and support for many food and farming events, sharing the history of Whatcom County farming, dedication to social justice, and the all-around warmth she brings to the work she does. Helen has worked tirelessly on her beautiful farm in Sumas, and brings dedication and positive energy to every project she is involved in. Well deserved, Helen, we appreciate you!

2018 NEW FARMER AWARD

Jen Finch & Colin Fischer,
Wanderwood Farm

If you’ve been to Wanderwood Farm’s booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market, you’ve probably seen or tasted their delicious produce and enjoyed a warm reception from these friendly folks.

Wanderwood got a big thumbs up from fellow farmers who nominated them for the New Farmer Award. One person said, “Jen has long been a part of the farmer and farmers market scene. They are a great addition to the farming community: active in the Bellingham Farmers Market board, and really have their act together.” Congratulations, Colin and Jen, and here’s to a great future for Wanderwood Farm!

2018 INNOVATOR FARMER AWARD

Griffin Berger,
Sauk Farm

Griffin has brought a unique, ambitious, and valuable new endeavor to our local food system and is bringing new products to the marketplace.

Specializing in apples and grapes, Sauk Farm just received its organic certification, which makes it one of the only organic apple growers on this side of the mountains. Griffin has also put a lot of effort into the infrastructure of Sauk Farm. The processing facility has a cider press and a certified organic dehydrator, which Griffin generously shares with other farms. Look for Sauk Farm ciders and dried and fresh apples (available seasonally) at the Co-op. Welcome, Griffin, and thanks for your creativity in bringing local, organic apples and grapes to our plates and glasses!

2018 MENTOR FARMER AWARD

Anna & Geoff Martin,
Osprey Hill Farm

Osprey Hill Farm is a mainstay of the local farming community and has grown steadily as a premier organic farm in the South Fork Valley.

Anna and Geoff have shared their expertise generously for many years with new farmers in Whatcom County. One nomination stated, “Anna is so generous with her time in supporting beginning farmers. Every season she teaches Cloud Mountain interns about the importance of business planning. Her passion for sharing her experience with young farmers is inspiring.” Anna has also been a mentor for Sustainable Connections’ Food to Bank On program for the last seven years, and is a participant and an original member of the Puget Sound Food Hub. Thanks, Anna and Geoff, for your stewardship of local farming!

Farm Fund Update: Next Steps Report

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

June 2018

The Community Food Co-op Farm Fund’s Next Step Project supports local farmers who are working to expand their farms and supply us with fresh, healthy food. Next Step gives a boost to farm expansion projects through grants and low-interest secured loans, and our 2017 recipients quickly made good use of the funding.

Congratulations to the 2018 Next Step recipients:

The Growing Garden, Terra Verde Farm, Wanderwood Farm, Foothills Farm, Mariposa Farm, Southern Exposure Family Farm, Wild Acres Family Farm, Boldly Grown Farm, and Ashmore Farm.

We look forward to following these nine farms through the growing season and will report on their accomplishments throughout 2018 as their projects progress.

Following is a snapshot of how the 2017 Next Step recipients have put the funds to use.

Spring Time Farm in Everson

Nick Spring and Sarah Robinson

Project: farm property purchase and infrastructure expansion

Accomplishment: invested in four new greenhouses, a walk-in cooler, and a wash station

Quote from the farmer: “It’s going to give us expansion potential and a more sustainable farm, with long-term control over managing the land. It feels amazing to build a long-term business. We have access to more land now, and the goal is to increase production and product availability. We supply the Co-op and have
a multi-year contract with the food bank.”

Terra Verde Farm in Everson

Amy and Skuter Fontaine

Project: farm property and equipment purchase (cultimulcher and mower)

Accomplishment: cultimulcher saved a lot of time and replaced rototilling; Skuter used to be out till 10 pm and now can be home in time to do deliveries

Quote from the farmer: “The cultimulcher saved a lot of time with field prep and I don’t even know how we’d get into the blueberries without it (the mower). It’s been fantastic, really been helpful for our operations.”

Misty Meadows Farm in Everson

Melissa and Mark Moeller

Project: infrastructure improvements and increase flock

Accomplishment: the farm has excess eggs for the first time

Quote from the farmer: “New chickens are busting out eggs all over the place!”

Osprey Hill Farm in Acme

Anna and Geoff Martin

Project: chick brooding infrastructure projects to enable poultry flock expansion

Accomplishment: now hatching 750 chicks every 3 weeks; preparing to add another brooder next year and increase that to 1,000 chicks

Quote from the farmer: “It (the new brooding room) is the core of the farm and hugely important, and knowing the Co-op has our back, we couldn’t do it without your support.”

Alluvial Farm in Everson

Katie Pencke and Matthew McDermott

Project: land and equipment purchase and upgrade to local custom bulk feed mix from Scratch & Peck

Accomplishment: increased from 10 to 50 animals (pigs) and sold all of them; signed first wholesale client

Quote from the farmer: “Without the Next Step grant and loan, it (purchasing custom feed) simply couldn’t have happened.”

Sauk Farm in Concrete

Carol, Jesse, and Griffin Berger

Project: purchase equipment (apple washer, automated fruit slicer, and heat pump dehydrator)

Accomplishment: only organic honey crisp producer in our area

Quote from the farmer: “The Next Step grant allowed us to purchase equipment that we use to make our grape and apple cider and our dried apples that are all available at the Co-op.”

Well Fed Farms in Bow

Well Fed Farms produce featured at the Co Op.

Erik Olson

Project: equipment purchase (seeder, cultivating tractor, disc harrow)

Accomplishment: started supplying product to the Community Food Co-op through the Puget Sound Food Hub; picked up sales to another local business and plans to add additional buyers

Quote from the farmer: “The increased production efficiency that I’ve gained through the tools purchased with the grant funds has definitely helped to move my farm in the direction necessary to grow larger volumes of produce with better consistency/quality and to find extra time and energy to market to new customers in Whatcom County.”

Lopez Bros. Farm in Mount Vernon

Feliciano Lopez

Project: purchased 1,500 berry plants; wholesale potential for other unique organic produce

Accomplishment: supplied berries to Community Food Co-op and Skagit Valley Food Co-op; recognized with the Innovator Local Farmer Award

Quote: “We were pleased to add the delicious berries from Lopez Bros. Farm to our produce departments and are eager to continue working with them.”
—Wynne Marks, Cordata store manager

Learn More

Learn more about the Farm Fund and see how you can donate and support local farms on our website.

Meet the 2018 Farm Fund Grant Recipients

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

April 2018

We are excited to introduce the 2018 grant recipients and share a brief introduction to their projects. Look for updates about these projects throughout the year.

Since 2000, the Co-op’s Farm Fund has granted funds to innovative projects that benefit local, sustainable, organic food and farming.

Co-op Farm Fund projects benefit not only the grant recipients, but benefit our entire community by helping to ensure the future of a vibrant and resilient local farming community and an ongoing supply of local, organic food for all of us. The Co-op Farm Fund is partially funded by your donations—this is your money at work!

Bellingham Food Bank Seed Money Project

In 2018, Seed Money will partner with up to five farms to supply fresh, local produce to Bellingham Food Bank. Here’s how it works: the food bank pre-pays wholesale contracts in March. Farms will grow one or two in-demand crops: cabbage, beets, or winter squash. When crops are ready for harvest, farms call Bellingham Food Bank’s Small Potatoes Gleaning Project and the gleaners harvest, pack, transport, and deliver the produce to Bellingham Food Bank. Farmers are responsible only for growing the food and providing an invoice for what has been harvested.

City Sprouts Farm’s Birchwood Community Farm Stand

Since the Birchwood area Albertsons grocery store closed in 2016, residents have sought solutions to food availability. The Birchwood Community Farm Stand (BCFS) will be centrally located in the Birchwood neighborhood to provide fresh, locally grown produce once a week. Birchwood farmers including City Sprouts Farm, Wild Rye, and Ten Fold Farm will provide fresh vegetables, eggs, and other food items such as locally made bread. The BCFS addresses food access issues and will give customers the opportunity to meet local growers. The stand also provides a marketing opportunity for farmers and producers to sell their goods based on cooperation rather than competition. Weekly information about organic, sustainable vegetable production and how to prepare the available produce will also be provided.

Matheson Farms’ New Rancher Camp

New Rancher Camp is a five-day intensive course for people interested in becoming farmers or ranchers. Participants learn new skills and discover a holistic approach to farming, life, and land management. The retreat-style hands-on camp teaches about livestock, business, grazing, and more. The camp hopes to help to fill the demand for skilled farm and ranch workers and to meet the future demand of retiring farmers and ranchers who would like to find someone qualified to take over their operations. Matheson Farms is a 60-year-old multi-generational local ranch that produces wholesome grass-fed and humanely raised beef and yak.

Sustainable Connections’ Food To Bank On

Started by the Co-op’s Farm Fund and now a Sustainable Connections program, Food To Bank On (FTBO) is a farm incubation project providing resources and mentorship to support the success of new farms while providing fresh, local food to area food banks. In 2018, FTBO will provide an annual series of agriculture-focused business planning workshops and projects to help participants develop successful, long-lasting farm businesses; contract with participating farms to grow food for partner hunger relief agencies, paying wholesale market rates; connect beginning farmers with experienced mentor farmers available for questions, guidance, experience, and to exchange farm visits; provide scholarships for farmers to attend relevant conferences and workshops; give farmers free access to Sustainable Connections’ resources; promote FTBO farms and provide marketing assistance; increase farmers’ access to professional business planning services; and collaborate with WSU Extension to offer farmer field days and Good Agricultural Practices trainings.

Twin Sisters Farmers Market

Twin Sisters is a cooperatively run mobile market that serves Nugent’s Corner and Kendall every Saturday from June through October. Its mission is to support development of a strong local food system in the Foothills region of Whatcom County by increasing affordable access to locally grown, healthy foods. Grant funds will be used to purchase unsold produce (at wholesale rates) remaining after the market closes and deliver it to Foothills Food Bank. This would allow participating farmers to bring more produce to the market, making the market more appealing to customers, while reducing risk for farmers supplying the market with perishable produce. Community members will benefit by having a greater selection of produce at the market, and the 150 families served by Foothills Food Bank distributions will benefit from the additional fresh local produce.

About the Co-op's Farm Fund

Who benefits from the Co-op’s Farm Fund? We all do! Learn more on our website.

Donations accepted at any Co-op register. For information contact Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator, at 360-734-8158 ext. 311, or jeanr@communityfood.coop.

Making Year-end Donations? Donate at the Co-op

Co-op shoppers are known for their generosity. As of early November, shoppers have contributed $28,280.78 to various causes in 2017. Thank you for being a caring community!

If you are still planning year-end donations, consider donating at any Co-op register for the following causes:

Co-op Farm Fund
Co-op Member-Owner Seed Fund
Bellingham Food Bank
December SEED recipient—Whatcom Civil Rights Project

Cause Contributions

Co-op shoppers donated a total of $5,729.14 to—

Bellingham Food Bank • Community to Community Development • Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief • SEED Fund Recipients • Standing Rock Sioux • Texas Food Bank Hurricane Relief

Barista Contributions

Co-op baristas donate 100% of tips from all three of our espresso bars, which added up to $5,930.27 in donations to—

Community to Community Development • Co-op Give Fund (assists Co-op employees in times of crisis) • Growing Veterans • Kulshan’s Angel Fund • LAW Advocates • Make a Wish Alaska & Washington • Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood • Northwest Youth Services (Co-op staff secured matching funds bringing this donation to a whopping $6,472.52!) • Whatcom Homeless Service Center

Farm Fund Contributions

Co-op shoppers donated $6,621.37 to the Co-op’s Farm Fund.

We were honored and grateful to recently receive an additional $10,000 anonymous donation to the Farm Fund Next Step Project from a local Whatcom County resident and Farm Fund supporter.

When local, sustainable, and organic farms benefit from the Farm Fund, we all benefit!

Other Contributions

Throughout the year, shoppers donate goods to in-store collection bins for the Bellingham Food Bank, and for the first time this year we participated in a drive for the Whatcom Humane Society Pet Food Bank in November.

And the 2017 Local Farmer Awards Go to …

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

October 2017

On Labor Day weekend we gathered at Boundary Bay Brewery for the fifth annual Hootenanny to benefit the Co-op's Farm Fund. We danced, we ate, we were entertained, but most importantly we awarded the 2017 Farmer Awards!

Thanks to the farmers for taking time out during the busy harvest season to join us at the event. And, thanks to our event co-hosts: Sustainable Connections Food & Farming Program and Boundary Bay Brewery.

As we savor the bounty of the late harvest season, it’s a perfect time to highlight the winners of the Local Farmer Awards, announced at the Farm Fund Hootenanny in September.

All the nominated farmers were were fantastic and selecting the recipients was a tough decision for the Farm Fund Committee and Sustainable Connection’s Food and Farming Program.

We are thrilled to present the 2017 award winners and tell you a bit about why they were selected.

Innovator Farmer Award

Highlighting a farmer who has contributed innovative or sustainable practices to local farming. We had a tie for this award and are happy to feature two excellent winners.

Feliciano Lopez,
Lopez Brothers Farm

Feliciano Lopez is being recognized as the first Latino farmer to receive a Next Step grant from the Farm Fund and for his commitment to principles of sustainability for the health of his family, his workers, and his customers. Lopez Brothers Farm is introducing organic Oaxacan produce to our region including purple corn; red, pink, and purple beans; tomatillos; papalo and pepicha (two delicious aromatic herbs); and chilacayotes (a gourd that tastes like squash). “People love chilacayotes in our culture,” said Feliciano. The farm also supplies organic berries to our co-op and the Skagit Valley Food Co-op.

Jason Weston, Joe’s Gardens

(pictured is Nathan Weston, accepting the award on behalf of his brother Jason)

Jason Weston of Joe’s Gardens was honored for his work to revive the Planet Jr. walk-behind tractors, built from the 1870s to the 1960s for use on small farms. Years ago, Jason refurbished Joe Bertero’s (the founder of Joe’s Gardens) 1950s Planet Jr. and then began searching for and purchasing old machines and parts for resortation, sometimes fabricating parts and creating new attachments. He also established a Facebook group to share info about rebuilding and using the Planet Jr. and small wheel hoes. According to Jason, in 2016 four Planet Jr. tractors were in use and this year there are a few hundred in use on 40 to 50 U.S. farms.

New Farmer Award

Highlighting an outstanding new farm.

Kevin and Briana Buck,
Twin Cedars Farm

Customers raved about Twin Cedars Farm. Here’s just a bit of what they had to say.

“Over the last few years I have been silly happy with the fresh food they provide me. Not only that, they always seem happy to mentor me with my own home garden … no matter how busy or tired they are. For me, this demonstrates that they are interested in empowering the future of food by empowering their friends and customers with knowledge and healthy food to boot!”

“When I’m buying garlic from the grocery store, I just pick it out, and move on. But when I buy it from Kevin and Briana, I get a lesson in food that I can then remember and reproduce.”

Mentor Farmer Award

Highlighting a farmer who has shared experiences, skills and support with other local farmers.

Myrle Foster, Circle F Farm

2017 local farm award recipient alluvial farms

Myrle Foster, of Circle F Farm, received especially enthusiastic comments from Farm Fund grant and loan recipients Katie Pencke and Matthew McDermott, owners of Alluvial Farm. Katie said, “Myrle has gone above and beyond to share experiences, skills, and support with other local farmers. Myrle’s work has paved the way for the cooperative to establish the necessary infrastructure to distribute its first product under a shared label. Mr. Foster has also been instrumental in supporting Alluvial Farm’s pastured pork business, lending us space to farm on his family’s historic site on the Mount Baker Highway and providing equipment, a hand with pig herding, and endless words of encouragement.”

Learn more about the Farm Fund. Information about the farmers was drawn from nominations and the Puget Sound Food Hub.

Local Vendor: Spring Time Farm

by Meggan Simpson, Downtown Produce

July, 2017

spring time farm nick spring and sarah robinson

Farmers Nick Spring and Sarah Robinson enjoy a quiet moment on their farm in Everson with farm dog Henry.

photo by TwoFish Photography

Here at the Co-op we realize that farming is hard work, seven days a week, and a pretty challenging way to make a living. It is also an integral part of our community and local food system, which is why the Co-op has created programs like the Farm Fund that offer resources to help small farms like Spring Time Farm make their dreams of bringing fresh, nutrient-dense food to their community a reality.

Sarah Robinson and Nick Spring took the next step, with the assistance of a Co-op Farm Fund Next Step grant, and purchased property for their expanding produce and flower farm.

Nick Spring and Sarah Robinson at Spring Time Farm recently received a Next Step Grant—a relatively new Farm Fund program designed to help small farms take the next step and scale up to provide the wholesale market—and we are so happy to help them expand to their very own property. After farming their first four years leasing land, sharing tools, and receiving mentorship from Dusty Williams at Broad Leaf Farm, they are now in the process of moving to their recently purchased 37-acre property where they plan to farm 5 to 7 acres at a time while rotating their crops to ensure soil fertility and health.

Sarah washing lettuce. Look for signs identifying their organic produce and flowers in our stores this summer and support these up-and-coming local farmers.

photo byTwoFish Photography

So where did it all begin for Spring Time Farm? Nick Spring is originally from Portland, Oregon, and was attending Western Washington University in 2012 while running a garden system in town called Bellingham Urban Growers Syndicate (BUGS). You may have seen him bicycling around between classes with rototillers, rakes, and shovels in his trailer, or perhaps you owned one of the 11 plots of land he grew veggies on throughout town. He didn’t grow up farming or gardening but it is in Nick’s genes.

The name Spring Time Farm was the name of the farm Nick’s grandfather ran until he was 90!

Not only was BUGS a transition to reconnecting Nick to his farming heritage and his realization that he wanted to make a career growing food for the community, but BUGS is also how Nick met his amazing and talented partner Sarah Robinson. Sarah grew up in Maryland, went to college in Boston, and spent many years bicycle touring the continent before coming to Bellingham. It was here with the already passionate vegetable-growing Nick that she discovered her love for farming. With the constant and diverse challenges of farming—keeping her mind and body engaged while allowing her to be outside connecting with nature— she was hooked!

Nick with an armfull of giant alliums. The farmers of Spring Time Farm found a natural division of labor with Nick Spring taking the lead on the vegetable side of things and Sarah Robinson using her decidedly green thumb as the lead farmer-florist. Of course, they both frequently work together across all areas of the farm.

photo by Sarah Robinson

Nick and Sarah have been farming together for four years now and the quality and abundance of fruits, veggies, and flowers they bring to the community makes me feel like they have been doing this for so much longer. He is “in charge” of the veggies and she is “in charge” of the flowers, and they have a wonderful employee named Josiah who has been there from the beginning and whose knowledge, hard work, and fresh perspective have been an integral part of their success.

Sarah, Nick, Josiah, and the rest of the crew at Spring Time Farm are always trying new things, looking for new ways to nurture their land and preserve their bodies so they can continue to farm for a very, very long time. And we hope they do!

Nick and Sarah are such a joy to be around, you can see and feel the genuine passion for what they do, and for life in general, shine through in even the smallest interactions with them. You may see them delivering sun-kissed boxes of produce or flowers to either
Co-op store or selling at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturdays. Either way, we hope you get a warm and happy feeling when you put something from their local farm into your reusable shopping bag.

nick and sarah jumping for joy during the garlic harvest

Nick and Sarah's enthusiasm for organic farming is contagious. Here they are jumping for joy during the garlic harvest.

photo by Meaghan Flesch

We all benefit from the vibrant local organic farming community in Whatcom County. Maybe you have never grown a vegetable, or just didn’t have time to plant a garden this year, or perhaps all your greens have bolted—don’t fear! Spring Time, Broad Leaf, Terra Verde, Cascadia Mushrooms, Rabbit Fields, Viva Farms, Cedarville, Moondance, Spring Frog, and so many others deliver their
farm-fresh produce to the Co-op to make sure you have delicious and healthful local food to eat.

We know the hard work, dedication to sustainable farming, and connection to nature of these farmers is a large part of what makes the Co-op where you love to shop and Whatcom County such an amazing place to live, eat, and play. Thank you, Hamsters, for supporting your community and all the people who make it go round.

Learn more about the Co-op’s Farm Fund. The fund is supported by donations. You can join your friends and neighbors who support the Farm Fund by donating at any Co-op register or on our website.

Take a closer look at Spring Time Farm.

Next Step Grants Continue to Grow Local Farms

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

March 2017

More than 52 local farms and 18 food and farming organizations have benefited from Farm Fund grants and loans.

Increasing the stable supply of healthy local food for Whatcom County residents is a primary mission of the Community Food Co-op Farm Fund. In 2015, the Co-op Farm Fund, with the support of the Sustainable Whatcom Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation, created the Next Step Project to offer assistance to farmers making significant investments to increase the amount of local food available to local markets. Next Step grants help growing farms attain a scale that provides economic resiliency without overextending themselves in the process.

The first round of grants was extremely successful and we are excited to announce the next group of recipients. You will recognize some steady Co-op suppliers, along with some wonderful newer farms that we hope will become familiar to you as their products become more available in local markets. Here is a look at our most recent Next Step farms and the projects they hope to accomplish.

Over the course of the growing season, we will follow the progress of the Next Step farms and share their stories. Thanks to all our member-owners and shoppers who have made the Next Step grants possible. When you read these success stories, remember that you were part of making them happen. It takes a community that supports and appreciates the hard work of its farmers to create and sustain a healthy food system. We look forward to enjoying the delicious products from these local farms for years to come.

Learn more about the Farm Fund on our website. Farm Fund donations are accepted at all Co-op registers or by mail.

Misty Meadows Farm

A certified organic pasture-raised poultry farm, rated among the highest in the nation for animal husbandry practices, Misty Meadows is adding another flock of chickens to keep up with the demand for their eggs.

Terra Verde Farm

A family owned and operated organic farm, Terra Verde is purchasing 7 acres of land in addition to 15 acres they currently lease. To manage their expansion the farm is purchasing a “cultimulcher” to eliminate hours of field prep, reduce tillage, and improve soil structure; and a mower to keep fields clean post-harvest to reduce problematic bug pressure.

Osprey Hill Farm

A 15-acre farm in east Whatcom County, Osprey Hill is expanding productivity with a 150 percent increase in pastured poultry production. The farm made building improvements and purchased equipment for the brooding stage of the chicks.

Spring Time Farm

A certified organic vegetable and flower farm entering its fourth year of production, Spring Time recently purchased a 37-acre farm. They will be purchasing a tractor and other equipment to prepare for expanded production, and will use the Next Step grant to make payments on the substantial investments related to the farm expansion.

Alluvial Farm

With 13 years of farm experience, accomplished farmers Katie Pencke and Matthew McDermott are investing in infrastructure to provide local, pasture-raised pork. A double win for this Next Step grant is that Alluvial will be purchasing certified organic feed from local business Scratch & Peck Feed.

Lopez Brothers Farm

Located in Skagit County, the farm is investing in berry plants to expand the acreage in production over the next three years. Feliciano Lopez’s goal is to increase the yield of locally sourced, sustainably grown berries from farmworker-owned farms for the wholesale market. As part of his commitment to building a healthy local environment for farmworker families, Feliciano participates with Community to Community Development and farmworker union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia.

Sauk Farm

The only grower of organic table grapes and organic honey crisp apples in Western Washington, Sauk Farm is expanding production of fresh apples and value-added products such as juice and dehydrated fruit. To deliver products that are affordable for wholesale markets, the farm is using a Next Step grant to purchase an apple washer, automated fruit slicer, and heat pump dehydrator.

Well Fed Farm

The farm produces certified organic vegetables and pasture-raised livestock on 15 acres in Bow. Having grown steadily over the past eight years, Well Fed Farms is purchasing equipment to expand and increase their vegetable production and lower production costs. The farm recently secured a three-year lease as a stepping stone to their ultimate goal of purchasing land.

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

April 2019

Pure Nelida: A 2019 Next Step Grant and Loan Recipient

Learn More

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

February 2019

Innovative Farm Fund Recipients Increase Food Access

Birchwood Community Farm Stand & City Sprouts

Sustainable Connections Food to Bank On

Seed Money, a project of Bellingham Food Bank

Twin Sisters Market

Who benefits from the Co-op’s Farm Fund? We all do!

Be a Farm Funder

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

February 2019

Who benefits from the Co-op’s Farm Fund? We all do!

How Does It Work?

What’s Next?

How Do We Do It? We Need You!

Learn More

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

October 2018

2018 BRIGHT SPOT FARMER AWARD

Helen Solem, Sumas River Farm

2018 NEW FARMER AWARD

Jen Finch & Colin Fischer, Wanderwood Farm

2018 INNOVATOR FARMER AWARD

Griffin Berger, Sauk Farm

2018 MENTOR FARMER AWARD

Anna & Geoff Martin, Osprey Hill Farm

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

June 2018

Spring Time Farm in Everson

Terra Verde Farm in Everson

Misty Meadows Farm in Everson

Osprey Hill Farm in Acme

Alluvial Farm in Everson

Sauk Farm in Concrete

Well Fed Farms in Bow

Lopez Bros. Farm in Mount Vernon

Learn More

by Laura Steiger, Outreach Team

April 2018

Bellingham Food Bank Seed Money Project

City Sprouts Farm’s Birchwood Community Farm Stand

Matheson Farms’ New Rancher Camp

Sustainable Connections’ Food To Bank On

Twin Sisters Farmers Market

About the Co-op's Farm Fund

Co-op shoppers are known for their generosity. As of early November, shoppers have contributed $28,280.78 to various causes in 2017. Thank you for being a caring community!

Cause Contributions

Barista Contributions

Farm Fund Contributions

Other Contributions

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

October 2017

Innovator Farmer Award

Feliciano Lopez, Lopez Brothers Farm

Jason Weston, Joe’s Gardens

New Farmer Award

Kevin and Briana Buck, Twin Cedars Farm

Mentor Farmer Award

Myrle Foster, Circle F Farm

by Meggan Simpson, Downtown Produce

July, 2017

photo by TwoFish Photography

photo byTwoFish Photography

photo by Sarah Robinson

photo by Meaghan Flesch

by Jean Rogers, Farm Fund Administrator

March 2017

Misty Meadows Farm

Terra Verde Farm

Osprey Hill Farm

Spring Time Farm

Alluvial Farm

Lopez Brothers Farm

Sauk Farm

Well Fed Farm

enews-sign-up-image

Helen Solem,
Sumas River Farm

Jen Finch & Colin Fischer,
Wanderwood Farm

Griffin Berger,
Sauk Farm

Anna & Geoff Martin,
Osprey Hill Farm

Feliciano Lopez,
Lopez Brothers Farm

Kevin and Briana Buck,
Twin Cedars Farm