December 2011 WSU Stevens County Extension News

December 2011 WSU Stevens County Extension News, a monthly newsletter with Extension event and program news. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends and family that might benefit from the information. If you do not wish to receive this e-mail newsletter please email Ivy Nelson at inelson@wsu.edu and ask to be removed from the list. We hope you enjoy the newsletter – Debra Kollock, County Extension Director

WSU Stevens County Extension workshops and events. For more information on any of the following events, contact us at 509-684-2588 or extensionstevens@wsu.edu. Or visit us at 986 S. Main in Colville.

Master Gardeners

January 9: Master Gardener applications deadline had been extended to Jan 9. 2012. If you are interested in gardening then this class is for you. Master Gardener training covers a wide variety of horticulture topics. Take this class and become a WSU Master Gardener Volunteer or take the class without the volunteer requirement for a higher fee. The WSU Master Gardener training in Stevens County begins January 17, 2012. Classes will be held in Colville, on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through April. The Class fee is $125 and requires 40 hours of volunteer service per year or this class without becoming a volunteer for $225.

4-H Youth Development

Check out the January 2012 edition of Clover Courier the 4-H newsletter. Included is information on Sensational Saturday, reporting volunteer hours, 4-H scholarships, hippology and more! Click on the link to view the newsletter online.

February 4: Save the date for our annual 4-H Sensational Saturday program. It’s a day of fun workshops to learn more about your 4-H project or explore a new project. The event is free and open to all school age youth.

Agriculture

January 21: Learn how to use local grains and supplements to build your own poultry feed.

February 25: Learn how to use local grains and supplements to build your own hog feed.

These workshops are for those growers who wish to develop their own feeds based on high quality local grains and do not include GMO products. Both classes start at 10:00 am at the Valley Transportation Center on Hwy 395. Reservations are necessary, and is limited to 25 participants. For questions on the program, contact: Al Kowitz 738-2227 or 499-1360. Sponsored by the Community Agriculture Development center (CADC). Instructor: Fred Stringer, retired voc-ag instructor from Reardan

Forestry

January 20: The 20^th Annual Family Foresters Workshop is designed to strengthen the skills of consulting foresters, state-employed service foresters, and other natural resource professionals who work with family forest owners. It serves as a forum to provide updates on emerging technology and knowledge applicable to family forestry. The program can accommodate up to 100 people. Registration forms should be returned by January 13, or go to the online registration. The $85 pre-registration fee ($95 after Jan. 13) includes lunch and refreshments. For questions on the program, contact: Chris Schnepf at 208-446-1680 or Andy Perleberg at 509-667-6658.

986 S. Main Ste. D

Colville, WA 99114

509.684.2588

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.

Proclamation By Governor Chritine Gregoire

Market Manager Nils Johnson, Lori Musgrave, Gary McNiel, Krisan LaHew

12th Annual National Farmers Market Week

July 15, 2011
Nils Johnson
Market Manager Chewelah Farmers Market Chewelah, WA

Dear Mr. Johnson,
Every day this summer, communities are converging to celebrate a simple miracle: farmers, as stewards of rural America, coming together to share a harvest that's feeding local families. The result? More viable regional economies; increased access to fresh, nutritious food; and stronger social networks that help keep communities strong. It's the miracle we know as farmers markets.
United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 7-13, 2011 as National Farmers Market Week. On behalf ofThe Farmers Market Coalition, I am writing to commend the Chewelah Farmers Market for their innovative contribution to the Chewelah commu nity in honor of National Farmers Market Week.
This year marks the 12th Annual dedication, and it marks an important milestone. Since the USDA began declaring National Farmers Market Week in 2000, the number of farmers markets has more than doubled, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to 6,132 in 2010. These numbers have continued to rise in 2011 as farmers markets become fresh food mainstays for shoppers across all socio-economic, political, and ethnic ranges. The Chewelah Farmers Market is one of twelve stand-out farmers markets from across the nation that the Farmers Market Coalition is recognizing this year.
Farmers markets help more dollars circulate in local economies, support agricultural diversity that keeps our farms, air, and water healthy, and offer unparalleled diversity of fresh, nutritious foods. The Farmers Market Coalition recognizes the valuable contributions of Chewelah Farmers Market in creating a sustainable market in a small town, supporting the economy and rural preservation. Chewelah Farmers Market is a testament to the herculean accomplishments of volunteers all over the country dedicating their time to make farmers markets succeed in serving farmers, consumers, and communities. Chewelah Farmers Market volunteers and community members should be very proud of their efforts to support their farmers. By raising funds to help a farmer that needed surgery in 2010, that farmer is still a regular provider at the Chewelah Farmers Market.
Congratulations, Nils, on your leadership in making farmers markets an outstanding vehicle for positive social and economic change.
Sincerely,

Stacy Miller, Executive Director Farmers Market Coalition

P O Box 504

Charlottesville, VA 22902

info@farmersmarketcoalition.org

www.farmersmarketcoalition.org

434-984-0175 877-362-0553

This year, the Farmers Market Coalition is celebrating the 12th Annual National Farmers Market Week (August 7th_13th) by recognizing markets nationwide that have made notable accomplishments based on specific themes throughout that week:
· Sunday, August 7th
Farmers markets and community education: innovative partnerships that allow market to serve as hubs of information.
· Monday, August 8th
Farmers markets and public health: promoting good nutrition and healthy habits
· Tuesday, August 9th
Farmers markets as economic engines: business incubation, job development, and local spending
· Wednesday, August 10th
Farmers at the center of the system: governance and policies that put farmers first
· Thursday, August 11th
Farmers markets and food equity: improving access to healthy foods in underserved neighborhoods
•• Friday, August 12th
Farmers markets ana civic engagement: growing social capital and engaging volunteers •• Saturday, August 13th
Farmers markets and rural renewal: supporting agricultural diversity and farm viability, while inspiring a new generation of producers -
All farmers markets are worthy'of celebration, not only during National Farmers Market Week, but throughout the year. The following diverse mix of markets are being recognized during National Farmers Market Week 2011 for their innovation and demonstrated success in serving farmers, consumers, and communities:
Oregon City Farmers Market, OR Port Townsend Farmers Market, WA Morton Grove Farmers Market, IL Columbia Farmers Market, MO Easton Farmers' Market, PA Chewelah Farmers Market, WA
Hub City Farmers Market, Spartanburg, SC Fayetteville Farmers' Market, AR Skowhegan Farmers' Market, ME Lawrence Farmers Market, KS
Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI
Historic Lewes Farmers Market, DE