Across the country various organizations are organizing volunteer events and work parties to physically give back to their communities directly. From packing meals to environmental restoration, there is any array of the types of service folks are putting in.
AmeriCorps, which I have the great privilege of being a member of, has been a great leader for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service, striving for nationwide engagement within communities large and small.
The University of Washington Farm is joining the nation by holding our own Day of Service event! We are asking our lovely community members to join us on Monday, January 17th, at the Center for Urban Horticulture!
On the only federal holiday that is designated as a national day of service, we will be working the land, preparing it for the upcoming growing season. We hope you can join us for this national day of service!
News and Noteworthy:
Growing Profitable Farms
Hosted by Washington State University
Farming can be a good economic opportunity as well as a great lifestyle choice. However, success requires farming be viewed as an enterprise that must sustain itself and the farm family for the long term. Beginning farmers must look at their farm like any new business venture, while existing operations considering diversification or expansion must evaluate how changes can affect land, labor, capital, and family resources.
WSU Snohomish County Extension and WSU Clark County Extension, in partnership with Snohomish Conservation District, will offer Cultivating Success: Agricultural Entrepreneurship to help new and current farmers gain skills in business planning, risk management, and direct marketing. The entire course will be on Zoom.
Classes begin January 15th. Sign up and learn more about the courses here
Red Dog Farm: Now Hiring
Hosted by Red Dog Farm
Settled in the fertile Center Valley of Chimacum, Washington, Red Dog Farm boasts gorgeous views, salmon-bearing creek frontage, and prime growing conditions. We are certified organic and grow over 150 different varieties of vegetables, berries, cut flowers and plant starts on 23 acres.
Getting Involved during the Winter Season and the Holidays
Most Food Banks organize non-perishable food drives during the holidays. While you are shopping for your dinner, check out these links to see what you can pick up to donate to your choice of food bank:
Salvation Army will hold food drives at more than 30 QFC supermarkets across Western Washington
Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online
The Weekly Dirt is produced once a week by the University of Washington Farm, a program of the UW Botanic Gardens, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment. It is published nearly year-round for educational purposes and the majority of the content is written or contributed by students and farm staff.
This issue's contributors:
Around the Farm, Dannette Lombert, UW Farm AmeriCorps Member Editor: Diana Knight, Advancement and Communications Manager, Department of Chemistry Photo Credits and Other Content: Perry Acworth
Other photos retrieved from the internet and noted in sections
However, success requires farming be viewed as an enterprise that must sustain itself and the farm family for the long term. Beginning farmers must look at their farm like any new business venture, while existing operations considering diversification or expansion must evaluate how changes can affect land, labor, capital, and family resources.
