Skagit Valley Farmers is my video journal of personal stories told by the women and men who farm Skagit Valley. Learn about their families, sacrifices, mentors, hobbies, ag issues, organic+conventional farming from field to office. We need more farmers. BUY something GROW something SAY something. My name is Denice and I'm an urban gal who made a rural transition and wants to connect you with Skagit farmers. I ♥ DRIVING TRACTORS and farm equipment.
Photo taken at Golden Glen Creamery / Jensen & Son Dairy in Bow, WA
Fewer than 1/4 of Farmers Markets nationwide are set up to accept EBT-SNAP cards so people who rely on EBT (formerly food stamps) aren't able to make purchases of healthy farm fresh foods directly from these farmers. Recent USDA funding will be used to provide electronic technology so that Farmers Markets can accept EBT cards. It's a win-win that will provide access to healthy farm fresh foods and increase the customer base of farmers across the U.S.
In the Summer of 2011 I spent half a day with Anne Schwartz
of Blue Heron Farm in Rockport, WA. Anne's video is in 2 parts. I was also able to speak with 2011 intern Hailey Michel-Evleth and that's part 3.
I met Anne at the land she organically farms at the foothills of the North Cascades. Late morning July temps were beginning to rise. She was late because
she had to answer an EMT call. Such is life up river where residents are both
self-sufficient AND reliant on each other (the nearest hospital is over 30 miles
away, the fire department is volunteer driven). When she hopped out of her pickup I was pretty surprised.
Farm Talk of Anne is large and strong so I didn’t expect to be greeted by a
cute, petite lady with an enviably long ponytail and nurturing smile.
The more I listened to Anne, the clearer it became: this woman is living her heart. Anne's become one of the most respected farmers and agricultural activists in our area. I think you'll really enjoy her stories.
Anne offers a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) which you can buy shares of. She’s a North Cascades Institute Foodshed Partner. And she's involved with the WSU Major in Organic Agriculture Systems which is the first program of its kind to be offered in the U.S. Currently, Anne's planting tomatoes and peppers and warm loving veg in the greenhouse and planting greens, radishes, cilantro, brassicas, peas, squash, corn, beans, carrots and just about everything the weather is allowing.
If you’d like to volunteer at the farm during summers or purchase a CSA subscription give Anne a call (info below).
