Want to prevent salmonella illness? Don’t snuggle the poultry

Hannah Street
Communications 

Recent cases of salmonella illnesses in Washington state serve as a reminder of the importance of practicing good hygiene when handling or working around poultry.

Earlier this month, the state Department of Health reported 16 confirmed cases of salmonella originating from live poultry in a dozen counties on both sides of the state. Though no deaths have been reported, five people were hospitalized.

Our local cases are part of a larger, multistate outbreak of human salmonella linked to live poultry. As with the Washington state cases, those who became sick reported obtaining poultry from feed supply stores, hatcheries, relatives or from the web.

Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacteria that can be found on live poultry dropping, feathers, feet and beaks. People become infected when those germs make contact with the mouth area.
Certain factors can speed the spread of salmonella, such as the inclination of young children to handle ducklings and chicks, which are in turn more likely to shed salmonella bacteria in their droppings. Since children are less likely than adults to wash their hands after handling these animals, it is vital that adults supervise children to ensure they practice good hygiene when handling poultry.

Medical attention
Symptoms of salmonella in humans include fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain. These symptoms tend to show up within three days of infection, and while symptoms can go away on their own, severe cases can require medical attention.
Healthy poultry can carry salmonella, so it’s important to maintain proper care of and hygiene around poultry.

Prevention  
Although outbreaks are becoming more common as more people are getting backyard flocks, salmonella isn’t inevitable if you live or work around poultry. Diligent hygienic practices decrease the chances of contracting poultry-related illnesses.
The best defense is washing hands with soap and water after handling. And while poultry, and baby chicks in particular, can invite affectionate handling, never nuzzle or kiss live poultry.
Other prevention methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control include:
• Keeping pens outdoors, as well as any equipment used around poultry.
• Thoroughly cooking and handling eggs from hens.
• Refraining from eating or drinking around poultry.
• Supervision of young children around live poultry.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control webpage, Keeping Backyard Chickens, for more information salmonella and poultry.

Connecting farmers and buyers in the Methow Valley

Katie Lynd 
WSDA Regional Markets 

Recently, more than 30 farmers, chefs, school nutrition workers and others gathered together in the Methow Valley to connect, tour local farms and discuss the challenges they all face in the local agriculture region.

The gathering was the Methow Valley Farm-to-Chef & Shelf Farm Tour and Business Networking Event, held on May 8. The project was a partnership between WSDA’s Food Assistance and Regional Markets program, or FARM, and the Methow Conservancy’s Agricultural Program. The group included small to mid-sized diversified farmers, buyers from restaurants, schools and resorts as well as retailers.

Stina Book explains the grafting process for fruit trees at Booth Canyon Orchard.

The WSDA FARM Team’s Local Buying Mission Project aim is to connect Washington specialty crop farmers with interested buyers, and educate both sides on the components of a successful buying and selling relationship.

Participants visited two farms to learn about their unique marketing outlets within the Methow region and the Seattle area. One was Booth Canyon Orchards, which has more than 55 varieties of organic tree-ripened pears and apples that they sell into the Seattle area market. The other was Willowbrook Organic Farm, a diversified row crop operation specializing in serving the Methow Valley market with produce ranging from micro-greens and root crop vegetables to value-added sauerkraut varieties. These farm stops highlighted the diversity of farming opportunities in the Methow and got buyers out on the farm to see the grit and hard work that goes into daily farming operations.

The afternoon wrapped up with a group discussion on the opportunities and challenges in sourcing and selling in the Methow Valley.

During the discussion, the group explored reasons why farmers in the Methow choose to sell outside of the region, with some farmers explaining that it is harder to make multiple small deliveries in a fairly large region like the Methow Valley than selling in the Seattle area, where they can get a higher price and sell larger volumes.

Buyers expressed interest in sourcing from Methow producers and their commitment to finding innovative ideas to make it work.

Participants sample kraut at Willowbrook Organic Farm’s commercial kitchen.

The farmers attending the event were happily surprised by the support they have in the region and expressed gratitude towards having shared values of local food in their community.

The day concluded with additional time for participants to network, establish new relationships and explore potential sales. You can visit www.methowgrown.org for more information about the diversity of farmers and the products they offer in the Methow Valley.

Farmers market season and food security

Jasmine Sanborn
WSDA Food Assistance & Regional Markets

As the sun stays out longer and the days get warmer, it can only mean one thing – farmers market season is once again upon us.

Washington state is known for growing a wide variety of products – from apples (generating nearly 64 percent of the nation’s supply) to potatoes and hops. Wherever you go in Washington, you can always find a diverse variety of fresh and delicious produce grown right here at home.

Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Food Assistance programs are also supporting efforts for low-income families to receive fresh and nutritious foods at food pantries and farmers markets in collaboration with the state Department of Health’s USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives (FINI) grant.

Through this program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shoppers are able to stretch their benefits by using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at various farmers markets throughout the state. Each farmers market offers different benefits, so it is best to check your specific market before visiting. Some markets offer a dollar-for-dollar program where for every $5 spent with EBT, you receive another $5 in “bonus tokens” to be used on fresh produce.

One in six residents in Washington relies on food pantries that are supported by WSDA resources to put food on the table each month. In 2016, a total of 1,223,244 people received an average of 16.9 pounds of food per visit to their local food pantry. This level of use shows the value of the FINI grant in expanding options for low-income residents to obtain fresh produce.

The farmers markets listed below are participating in the FINI program. Be sure to visit www.doh.wa.gov/CompleteEats for a complete list of markets offering bonus tokens this summer.

Benton 
Historic Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market
Prosser Farmers Market

Chelan 
Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market

Clallam 
Port Angeles Farmers Market

Clark 
Camas Farmers Market
Salmon Creek Farmers Market
Vancouver Farmers Market

Franklin 
Pasco Farmers Market

Jefferson 
Port Townsend Wednesday Farmers Market
Port Townsend Saturday Farmers Market
Chimacum Farmers Market

King 
Auburn Farmers Market
Ballard Farmers Market
Bellevue Farmers Market
Burien Farmers Market
Capitol Hill Broadway Farmers Market
Carnation Farmers Market
Central Area Farm Stand
Columbia City Farmers Market
Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market
Duvall Farmers Market
Federal Way Farmers Market
Harborview Farm Stand
High Point Farm Stand
Lake City Farmers Market
Lake Forest Park Farmers Market
Madrona Farmers Market
Magnolia Farmers Market
New Holly Farm Stand
Phinney Farmers Market
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market Express- City Hall
Pike Place Market Express - Denny Regrade
Pike Place Market Express – First Hill
Pike Place Market Express - South Lake Union
Queen Anne Farmers Market
Rainier Beach Farm Stand
Renton Farmers Market
Shoreline Farmers Market
University District Farmers Market
Vashon Farmers Market
Wallingford Farmers Market
West Seattle Farmers Market

Kitsap 
Bainbridge Island Farmers Market
Bremerton Farmers Market
Port Orchard Farmers Market
Poulsbo Farmers Market
Suquamish Famers Market

Mason 
Belfair Farmers Market
Shelton Farmers Market

Okanogan 
Okanogan Valley Farmers Market
Okanogan Valley Farmers Market - Omak
Tonasket Farmers Market

Pierce 
Broadway Farmers Market
Eastside Farmers Market
Fife Farmers Market
Orting Farmers Market
Proctor Farmers Market
Puyallup Farmers Market
South Tacoma Farmers Market
Steilacoom Farmers Market
Waterfront Farmers Market of Gig Harbor

Skagit 
Anacortes Farmers Market
Bow Farmers Market
Mount Vernon Farmers Market
Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market

Spokane 
Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market
Fairwood Farmers Market
Hillyard Farmers Market
Kendall Yards Night Market
Millwood Farmers Market
South Perry Thursday Market
Spokane Farmers Market

Stevens 
Chewelah Farmers Market
N.E.W. (Northeast Washington) Farmers Market

Walla Walla 
Downtown Farmers Market (Walla Walla)

Whitman 
Pullman Farmers Market

Yakima
Yakima Farmers Market

Exotic moth trapping gets underway

Susan Brush
Pest Program

We are quickly approaching the time of year when insect pests begin to emerge from their cozy winter state to enjoy the beautiful summers here in the Pacific Northwest.

Our exotic moth surveillance team is gearing up to begin installation of traps specifically targeted to detect three moth species of great concern: the Siberian moth, Nun moth and the Rosy moth.

WSDA trapper hanging delta trap

Unlike the European and Asian Gypsy moth, Washington State has never detected any of these three moth species. But established populations in Asia and Russia have devastated large swaths of evergreen forests. Since we have vast evergreen forests here in the Pacific Northwest these pests could devastate our environment should they make an international voyage to Washington’s shores.

The main way these pests arrive is through commercial shipping from infested areas. In order to intercept any moths that may have hitched a ride, the exotics team will be monitoring for the presence of these species at all 11 marine freight ports in our state.

Each species of moth surveyed uses a different type of moth trap coupled with a species-specific female pheromone to lure reproductive males to the moth trap.

Traps start to appear in the port areas at the end of May. The traps will be monitored throughout the summer and will be removed at the end of September.

If you see a trap in your area, please don’t disturb it while it’s performing the important task of protecting the beautiful forests here in Washington State. If you see one on the ground, we would love for you to let us know. Please contact us at gypsymoth@agr.wa.gov or call our hotline at 1–800-443-6684 if your find a trap on the ground or have any questions about the program.

Director Sandison recognizes FFA for fostering next generation

Kathy Davis
Communications

WSDA Director Derek Sandison greets
FFA State President Alyssa McGee 

For nearly 90 years, FFA has supported the rich tradition of agriculture. By promoting leadership, personal growth and career success, the organization prepares young people to work in the agriculture sector and related industries. 

That’s why WSDA Director Derek Sandison presented a Director’s Citation Award to the Washington State FFA at the organization’s 87th annual conference at the WSU campus in Pullman.

Sandison said that in determining who to recognize with this award, it seemed like a “no-brainer” to honor an organization that is “providing the skilled leadership training that gives young people the tools to take the reins of Washington state agriculture.” 
  
The FFA was once known as Future Farmers of America but changed to simply the FFA to better reflect the great diversity of careers in the agriculture industry that include everything from scientists and researchers to communication specialists and educators. 

Washington FFA has more than 10,000 members in chapters throughout the state.

Watch the presentation below!