Many Thanks To Randy Smith at CB ParkShore For The Support
Young Farmers Make Big Impression At The August KCAA Meating.
Kudos to Diane Fish, Mark Boardman, Mike Shepherd, Kelly Fisk, Nancy Rauch and Katie Vetter for making our last educational meeting one to remember. Building a local food network can sometimes seem like impossible work but it was such a shot in the arm for all of us to have the future in our midst, up close and personal. Here is the list of presenters for the evening:
· Steers (Allie Burgh, Tim Crabtree)
· Lambs (Kayleigh Randall, Kaitlyn Eckles)
· Hogs (Katie Vetter, Amber Holloway, Bryan Patison, Amber Bumbalough, Kyle Stroble, Josh Wilson)
· Goats (Michelle Turk)
Cheryl Ouellette, president of the Puget Sound Meat Producers Co-op came to demonstrate how young animal farmers can utilize the co-op to build their future with expanded access to markets for protein.
Erin Frederichs and two friends who are interns with Brian McWhorter at Butler Green Farms this past season gave us some insight on how things are going for them and what their future might be in farming.
The young people were all very impressive and I hope that they all consider a future in farming and animal husbandry. You know, the KCAA has decided to focus our efforts on young and new farmers for the next few months. From this first meeting I can tell that we will be having a lot of fun.
Diane Fish has provided us with a report on the auction rules and procedures. Market Animal Auction Facts
The KCAA will be forming a group to buy one or more animals to be prepared for the Peninsula Local Food Chef Showoff coming up on September 15th. Anyone who wishes to join our buying pool should contact me, Jim Freeman, at jimfreeman@jimfreeman.com. More to follow about our big September event but this will take the place of our regular meeting so no meeting on the second Tuesday.
The purpose of the evening was to showcase their efforts to raise animals for the Kitsap 4-H and FFA Market Animal Auction to be held at the Kitsap Fair on Saturday, August 29th, beginning at 11:00 am. The auction could be the best place for peninsula residents to get quality, local protein at a bargain price. Proceeds of course will help the young farmers and their youth programs. These are well worth supporting if the poise and maturity are any indication of what these programs do for them. It was very refreshing to witness how they had learned about taking responsibility for the care of an animal, learning about food production, health, biology, economics, etc.
The Kitsap Fair begins Wednesday, August 25th and continues through Sunday the 30th. Operating hours are 10:00 am to 10:00 PM through Saturday and 10:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday. For more information and to get a free pass to the fair on Saturday visit
Will either the KCAA or the Kitsap Food Co-Op development people have a booth at the Fair? If so, I’d be willing to help greet people and hand out info. to help educate the public.
Hi Marianne,
Yep, you bet. The main KCAA display will be in the cat barn. I think we also have a presence in the President’s Hall. See you at the fair!
Josh is a swell guy – too bad he’s so angry all the time!
Hey Beachrat12 – how’s it going. apl?