Submitted by Rhys Hansen, Ag Summit Coordinator
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit returns to San Juan Island for the seventh year of education and celebration of islands’ food and farming communities. Offering a selection of 20 different workshops and sessions, this year’s summit is sure to have something for everyone engaged with the local food system.
The summit kicks off Saturday, Feb. 2, with eight hands-on workshops around the island. Dive deep with local and regional experts during morning and afternoon topics like “Understanding and Managing Soil Health,” “Funding for Farmers” and “Keeping it Cool: Cold Storage Options and Implementations.” These stand-alone workshops are $25 with advance registration, $30 day-of.
The whole community is invited to kick back Saturday night at the Summit Hoedown at Brickworks from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy live music from local group River Rye while savoring a barbecue dinner from San Juan Island Cheese. Tickets will be sold at the door and will cost a $5 cover and $20 dinner inclusive. Discount tickets are available for youth and kids. Check out the Facebook event page for full information.
Gather on Sunday, Feb. 3 at Friday Harbor Middle School for a day of classroom sessions. Attendees will hear from University of Washington climate scientist Dr. Heidi Roop. Her keynote address, “From Coastlines to Crops: What Climate Change Means for the Puget Sound” will highlight the range of climate impacts we expect in the region. She will dissect the science of climate change communications and propose steps to catalyze the action needed to confront the climate change challenge head-on.
The full Sunday program includes a selection of 12 classroom seminars. Highlights include a history of farming and agriculture in the San Juans, navigating on-farm labor practices, plant breeding and climate change, water rights, pasture renovation and more. Sunday’s all-inclusive ticket includes lunch, keynote and all 12 Sunday sessions. The price is $75 advance registration and $85 at the door.
More information including the full event schedule can be found at https:bit.ly/2C5cqB6, or by contacting summit organizers at sji.agsummit@wsu.edu or calling WSU San Juan County Extension office at 360-370-7667. Find the event on Facebook and share with friends. While the summit is geared toward adults, youth are encouraged to attend at no cost. Contact staff to register any youth under 18 free of charge. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact staff at least two weeks prior to the event. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
The staff thanks the generous summit sponsors to date: Taproot Farm, Skagit Farmers Supply, Oak Knoll Farm, San Juan Island Grange, Island Petroleum Services, Scratch and Peck Feeds, Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Sunset Builders, Lopez Locavores and Skagit Valley Co-op. This event is brought to you by the 2019 Summit Partners, Washington State University.
