Roots run deep at Washington farmers markets

Laura Raymond
Food Access and Regional Markets Program

Walk most any farmers market in Washington state this week (and I hope you will) and you’ll encounter a dizzying variety of products.

This week is Farmer’s Market Week by proclamation of the Governor. Now at the height of the growing season, farm tables offer up glowing peaches, nectarines, and plums, glossy eggplants and peppers, fragrant melons, heirloom tomatoes, vibrant greens, crunchy cucumbers, pastured meats and cheeses, and a constellation of fresh cut dahlias and lilies.

Washington farmers grow more than 300 fruits, vegetables and other commodities but it might be the deep-rooted carrot that best represents what’s so valuable about farmers markets.

Farmers markets aren’t just the magical places where grocery lists go to be transformed from being a chore. They transform into places for new recipes, fun and adventure. Farmers markets provide multiple, and deep rooted benefits to shoppers, farmers and communities.

Farmers markets are places of direct and joyful commerce where you get to talk directly to the farmer who grew your food. They are incubators for fledgling enterprises that often grow into generational businesses. Last year, sales at farmers market members of the Washington State Farmers Market Association topped $44 million dollars. That’s “no small potatoes” in terms of local economies. The dollars shoppers spend at farmers markets go directly to the producers, keeping farming viable and keeping farmers on the land and caring for the agricultural landscapes we all can enjoy.

Neighborhood businesses

Farmers markets add sparkle and energy to neighborhoods. Commerce spills over the edges of the markets and supports many neighborhood businesses. As places where people come together from many walks of life, markets also cultivate community. With music, community information, chef demonstrations, kids’ activities, and time to talk while you shop, farmers market days can become not-to-be missed social events.

If you’ve had the opportunity to chomp down on a fresh-picked, sweet and crunchy carrot, you know the availability of delicious, fresh produce at farmers markets makes it easier to eat healthfully. Most farmers markets in Washington accept WIC and SNAP benefits markets, making healthy produce more accessible for all.

That’s why when a group of creative farmers market supporters came together to choose an image that captures what farmers markets mean to farmers, communities, shoppers, and our state, they chose the deep and intertwined roots of a row of carrots. A series of graphics, including "These Roots Run Deep," have been produced in English and Spanish through a WSDA Specialty Crop Grant Program Project awarded to the WSU Small Farms Program. One goal is to promote buying specialty crops (mainly fruits and vegetables) directly from growers at farmers markets.

Farmers Market Week Aug. 7-13

Farmers Market Week runs Aug. 7-13 and many markets are adding special activities to celebrate. Find a market near you at the Washington State Farmers Market Association website.

Gypsy Moth Outbreak Tour

Karla Salp
Pest Program

Gypsy moth tour route

At the end of July I flew back East to see first-hand the devastation that the gypsy moths had caused in the largest outbreak the area had seen since 1981 – damage so vast it could be seen from space. The tour gave me a good idea of the risk these invasive pests can pose to our own region. Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing in more detail about the trip and what I learned. Here is an overview of where I went and the gypsy moth situations there.

Connecticut

Female gypsy moths and egg masses on oak tree

Connecticut was where I saw my first-ever live gypsy moths. After meeting with the nation’s oldest agriculture research station in New Haven, I continued on Interstate 95. Not far out of New Haven I began to notice defoliation, got off at the next exit and found female gypsy moths laying eggs on trees.

Rhode Island

My meeting with a forestry employee fell through, but that left more time for touring the state. I went up and down the state, which even weeks after the caterpillars were gone still showed massive defoliation mile after mile.

Cape Cod

Gypsy moths mating on tree limb in Cape Cod

Gypsy moths in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, developed well behind Connecticut and Rhode Island owing to its cooler climate. Although the moth peak was the week before I arrived, there were still plenty male and female moths to see and a lot of mating happening. Many of their forests were barely beginning to releaf out after having been completely defoliated. In addition to the defoliation of the oak trees, many pine trees had also been munched on.

Massachusetts 

Partially eaten leaves and new leaves starting

The last stop on the trip still offered new things to discover. The Shawme-Cromwell State Forest had been nearly completely defoliated not just this year but last year as well. The oak trees showed signs of stress, such as a last-ditch effort at survival by sprouting leaves along the trunk. Many atypical plants were defoliated, such as rose and blueberry bushes. Most dramatic, and foreboding for Washington, were the evergreens. Several had been completely defoliated and stood dead in the forest, awaiting removal by the park service.

The trip allowed me a chance to capture a number of videos and photos of the gypsy moth and the damage it can cause. I’ll share more of that in future posts on this blog.

Testing reveals additional products used in marijuana production contain undeclared pesticides

Hector Castro
Communications

WSDA has updated its list of products containing undeclared pesticides, and removed one product that was previously on the list.

Inspectors with WSDA’s pesticide and fertilizer compliance programs have found several products commonly used in horticulture and hydroponics, including marijuana production, with undeclared pesticide chemical compounds in their ingredients.

WSDA issued several “stop sale” orders and Notices of Corrections to the manufacturers and the businesses selling the products, and partnered with the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board to notify licensed marijuana production operations and retailers.

One product, SNS 217C All Natural Spider Mite Control Concentrate, was originally included on the list of stop sale items, but has been removed after further testing revealed the product did not contain pesticide ingredients.

Samples tested

Testing is being done on 39 product samples taken March 9 and 10 from four businesses in Clark and King counties. Results so far indicate 17 of the products contain pesticide ingredients not declared on the label.

WSDA is still awaiting results on one final product. The products identified as including undisclosed pesticides so far are:

1. Safergro Mildew Cure for Powdery Mildew Control
2. Humboldt Roots
3. Olivia’s Cloning Gel
4. Optic Foliar AT-AK
5. Optic Foliar Overgrow
6. Optic Foliar Switch
7. Rock Resinator Heavy Yields
8. Root 66 1-1-1
9. The Hammer
10. Frost Protection Plus
11. NPK Mighty Wash
12. OG Rapid Flower + Hardener
13. Pyyro K 0-3-7
14. Vita Grow Thunder Boom
15. SM 90
16. Ultimate Wash
17. Mega Wash

The notice and list of products found with undisclosed pesticides is posted on the agency’s Pesticide and Fertilizer Use on Marijuana in Washington web page and will be updated as additional test results become available.

New WSU president and agricultural representatives get acquainted

Kathy Davis

Communications

Washington State University, established in 1890, has a long history of working with and supporting our state’s agricultural community. And the diverse array of farming, ranching, processing and growing interests across Washington are well aware of that connection.

WSU President Kirk Schulz and
WSDA Director Derek Sandison

That was confirmed at a meet-and-greet with industry representatives and WSU’s new president, Kirk Schulz, initiated and hosted by WSDA’s Director Derek Sandison. With only 45 days under his belt at the helm of this institution serving more than 29,000 students, President Schulz said he appreciated the opportunity for face time with the 25 agriculture reps who attended the gathering in Yakima on July 28.

In his opening remarks, Schulz noted that he grew up in large urban areas and knew little about ag. “While attending Virginia Tech, I met a student majoring in poultry science – I didn’t know there was such a thing,” he joked.

But his seven years as president of Kansas State University – as well as teaching stints in Mississippi, Michigan and North Dakota -- gave him experience with the vital connection between education, research and agriculture.

Washington Cattleman's Association Executive VP Jack Field
speaks with WSU President Kirk Schulz.

Every person at the meeting acknowledged the importance of their partnership with WSU. Representing fruit, beef, dairy, wheat, grain, wine, potatoes, mint and more – attendees around the table gave the president an overview of their area and sparked discussion of issues important to them.

From the animal diagnostic lab to endowments; the Wine Science Center to on-campus greenhouses, speakers cited examples of how WSU adds value to their industry.

For instance, Jay Gordon with the Dairy Federation, lauded “a neat WSU program that has kids milking cows and making cheese and ice cream.” He noted that veterinary students get to work on a dairy and food science students learn about dairy products. The cheese-making expertise from the famous Cougar Gold brand has broad value, he said.

President Schulz emphasized that he’s a big believer in collaboration and cooperation, across industry interests, as well as with other academic institutions such as the University of Washington and University of Idaho.

He ended the session by suggesting that the group convene regularly.
“It’s important to have these conversations on a regular basis, not just when there are problems,” he said.

WSDA names assistant state vet, search for state vet continues

Hector Castro
Communications 

A veterinarian with extensive experience with large animals and agriculture will be joining WSDA as the new assistant state veterinarian.

Dr. Scott Haskell

Dr. Scott Haskell, whose family raised beef cattle, sheep and tree crops, has more than 30 years experience as a veterinarian. He begins his new position with the agency on Aug. 1.

Dr. Haskell is originally from Oregon and studied at the University of California, Davis. He was in large animal veterinary practice for 18 years before entering academia and public service, serving as a professor with Yuba College in California, where he was the director of the Veterinary Technology Program and chair of the school’s Agriculture and Plant Science Program.

Dr. Haskell is experienced in disease outbreak investigations and biosecurity and has a long history of working with the livestock industry, agriculture fairs and is currently a 4H advisor.

Washington’s Office of the State Veterinarian has a wide range of responsibilities which include enforcing state and federal regulations on livestock movement, investigating animal disease outbreaks, maintaining animal health records, and other animal movement records, as well as safeguarding the public by identifying and limiting the exposure to zoonotic diseases through disease surveillance, identification and traceability.

WSDA is continuing its search for a new state veterinarian, a position that is currently vacant.