By Island County Extension Agent, Donald B. Meehan

BUYING LOCALLY GROWN FARM PRODUCTS

Whidbey Island is certainly no agricultural Mecca, but a part of its economy is made up by agricultural enterprises like dairy, cattle, vegetable and fruit production. These farm activities give the Island its rural character. Most of the farms are small family operations. One of the major difficulties for small farmers in Island County is the marketing of their farm products. Wholesale buyers are on the mainland which forces farmers to transport their goods off-Island. Profit margins are so small that transportation costs can be significant. Many of the small farmers have chosen to sell their products locally. They are relying on their marketing skills to attract you, the buyer. Buying locally-grown farm products has several benefits. It obviously helps the farmer, but it also helps your family and Island County's economy. Here is how I think you help your family if you are buying local vegetables or fruit. This summer you will have a couple of options for buying produce, using the Farmers Markets or going to a farm and picking your own. Either way, you will most likely find produce fresher and cheaper than at supermarkets. You will be able to buy bulk quantities and save even more. For those who want to try the U-Pick way, they will find the experience a good one for all members of the family. The kids are going to learn something about where food comes from and will probably encounter a few other farm experiences not likely to be found in your backyard. The whole family will find the experience entertaining and rewarding. There is a sense of accomplishment about sharing part of the responsibility for putting food on the table. You'll soon discover how friendly farmers are, unless of course you bring your family dog along to run and play while you pick fruits or vegetables. They also like cars to be parked in certain specified areas. If you haven't tried buying at the Farmers Markets or done U-Pick then you have missed out. It's not too late, strawberries are just now coming into season and many vegetables have been available for some time now. You can purchase many things at the Farmers Markets or at local farms. For example, eggs, beef, pork, lamb, a wide variety of vegetables, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bedding plants and landscape plants. How does the County benefit from all this? One needs to fall back to the basics of what makes an economy healthy. Two elements are diversification and dollars spent in the economy. Our economy is pretty well defined by the size of our Island. Having local agricultural activities insures a supply of quality food which also competes with California corporation farm products. Money spent on a pound of raspberries or strawberries grown by your neighbor farmer will stay in the economy to be spent on something else instead of being sent off Island to growers in California or some other area. That is a plus for strengthening our local economy. Economists often use the term recycled dollars. The value for every dollar recycled in the local economy increases by 2-3 dollars by remaining in the economy. Local farmers work hard to produce food to sell to the public. There is no magic to raising crops or animals, just hard work, high risks, long hours, and high costs. Next time you pass a sign that says U-Pick, U-Cut, Farmers Market, or Farm Fresh Produce, stop and think about the benefits to your community and family if you purchase locally. By the way, did I mention that Washington-grown farm products are tastier? Sure seems that way to me. If you are wanting to sell farm products that you are growing, please send me a letter. Include directions on how to get to your place if you are U-Picking, or let us know if you market through any of the Farmers Markets. Include in the letter the types of agricultural products you are selling. Early this summer I hope to develop a list to hand to people looking for farm products. This will also help our office in providing important educational information to you as producers. Our address is Island County WSU-Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 667, Coupeville, WA 98239. Farmers Markets are operating on Saturdays at the Coupeville, Main St. site and in Bayview next to Bills Feed and Tack. Several U-Pick Farms are also in operation around the Island. Watch for road signs.



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