Cascadia Grains conference puts a spotlight on local grains

Karla Salp
Communications

With a focus on local grains and food, in this case barley salad,
 the Cascadia Grains Conference brought people together.

A century ago, nearly every community had a grain mill. If the dreams of the attendees at the
Cascadia Grains Conference come true, that’s the direction society will soon head again.

Last Saturday, WSDA joined hundreds of farmers, bakers, millers, brewers, researchers and others to acquire new ideas, network, and learn about growing the local grain community in the Cascadia region, a reference to a growing area that includes all of Washington and other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

The conference embodied WSDA’s “Focus on Food” initiative – diverse people with diverse interests coming together over a common interest: food.

This was most evident in the hands-on cooking classes offered at the conference, which included the opportunity to learn how to make sourdough bagels, puff pastries, and even traditional tortillas – all using local grains.

Whole grain flour and butter come together for puff pastry. 

Those interested in growing local grains could take a farm tour, learn from farmers already growing grains for local mills, and even get the latest research on growing grains locally.

While the local grain movement may bring visions of small farmers, mills, and bakers, using local grains is not just for the small guy. The keynote speaker, Mel Darbyshire, is the head baker at Grand Central Bakery for both Seattle and Portland. She spoke about building the opportunity and overcoming challenges to sourcing local grains in their large and thriving business.

When thinking of grains and their uses, visions of fresh-baked bread often come first to mind. But another loved use of grains is for brewing and distilling. Not only were brewers able to connect with growers and talk about growing malt, but attendees had the opportunity to taste several new brews released just for the conference.

The conference was a unique opportunity to bring all sectors – literally from farmer to consumer – together with the goal of improving the availability and viability of local grain economies.


To learn more, visit the Cascadia Grains Conference webpage and watch for future conferences and local events.

WSDA asks beekeepers to look for and report Asian giant hornet

Karla Salp
Communications

This year when beekeepers receive their annual reminder to register their hives, they will receive something else as well – a call to action to report Asian giant hornet sightings and attacks.

Asian giant hornets are the world’s largest hornet. While they will eat various types of insects, they have a favorite: honey bees. A handful of Asian giant hornets can kill an entire hive of bees in just a few short hours. They then take over the hive and defend it as their own, taking the brood and feeding them to their own young.

In December, WSDA received and confirmed two reports of Asian giant hornet in the areas of Blaine and Bellingham.

Identifying Asian giant hornet

You can spot an Asian giant hornet by a few characteristics:

• Usually 1.5 - 2 inches long
• Large orange/yellow heads with prominent eyes
• Black and yellow striped abdomen
• Form large colonies that usually nest in the ground

Asian giant hornet attacks

You may not see Asian giant hornets themselves, but you may see the aftermath of an Asian giant hornet attack. These hornets will leave piles of dead bees, most of them headless, outside their beehive, as shown in the photos below.

Bee kill photos courtesy of Teddy McFall

Reporting sightings/attacks

If you believe you have seen an Asian giant hornet or if a beekeeper has noticed the aftermath of an attack, we want to hear about it. There are several ways to report:

• Use the online reporting form at agr.wa.gov/hornets
• Email pestprogram@agr.wa.gov
• Call 1-800-443-6684

When reporting a sighting, please provide as much of the following details as possible:

• Photos of the hornet or beehive damage.
• Your name and contact information.
• The location where the hornet was spotted or the location of the impacted hives.
• Description of the loss or damage to a hive (if photos are not available.) 
• Date or approximate date observed.
• Direction of flight when the hornet flew away. 

Asian giant hornet imposters

Don’t be fooled! Several native species can be mistaken for the Asian giant hornet.

Paper wasp 

Paper wasps are more slender and smaller overall compared to the Asian giant hornet. They also do not have an orange/yellow head.

Bald-faced hornets 

Bald-faced hornets are about an inch long and are mostly black with white stripes and spots.

Yellow jacket  

Photo credit: M. Asche

Yellow jackets are less than an inch long. They have distinctly yellow faces with a black area near the top of the head.

Elm sawfly 

Photo credit: Neil Boyle

The elm sawfly can be as large, or larger, than the Asian giant hornet. They have a black face and yellow stripes, but they lack a stinger.

Use extreme caution near Asian giant hornets

Asian giant hornet abdomen and stinger

Asian giant hornets have a much longer stinger than honeybees. Typical beekeeping attire will not protect you from Asian giant hornet stings. Additionally, their venom is more toxic than that of local honeybees and wasps and they have a comparatively greater supply of the venom as well.

Asian giant hornets can sting repeatedly. Those who are allergic to bee or wasp stings should never approach an Asian giant hornet.

Never try to remove an Asian giant hornet nest. If you find an Asian giant hornet nest, report it immediately to WSDA.

Asian giant hornets are not generally aggressive towards humans, pets, or other mammals, but they can attack if they feel threatened. Asian giant hornet stings – especially repeated stings – can require medical attention, even in those who are not normally allergic to bee or wasp stings. Several hornet-related deaths occur each year where they are native in Asia. 

Updated on May 22, 2020 to correct the number of confirmed sightings.