PTFM Education

2020-02-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

The mission of the JCFMA is to support the development of local sustainable farming by cultivating a vibrant farmers market that serves as a community gathering place celebrating local farmers, food producers, and artisans.

In support of this mission, we will:

Educate the general public on how their health and the health of the environment are affected by their food choices.
Engage in and support programs that provide locally and sustainably produced food to needy members of our community and to educate them in making healthy food choices.
Educate and encourage food producers to follow sustainable agricultural practices.
Promote, through publicity and other techniques, the sale of sustainably produced Jefferson County products at the market
Serve as a small business incubator for local farms, artisans & food producers
Actively cooperate with other networks and organizations that are working toward a local sustainable agriculture economy

2010-01-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

Sustainable Farming, Educated Consumers and Farmers Markets: A Symbiotic Partnership

(Based on this original article.)

The Port Townsend Farmers Market is a prize of Jefferson County, not only because it offers people fresh, locally-grown produce, but also because our farm vendors largely make sustainable farming a vital part of their operation. The market is a meeting place for such farmers and their customers, the vast majority of whom live and work right in our community.

Sustainable farmers take on three primary responsibilities to meet their standards. These are:

* Environmental stewardship
* Farming communities
* Farm profitability

Together they comprise the mission of sustainable farming. From the standpoint of the farmer, this means taking care not to overtax the ecological systems of the land they farm, being a part of a larger movement of peers rather than going it alone and thriving rather than just surviving. For the consumer, practicing sustainable farming means spending their money and giving their support to people who live by these principles. This is one of the reasons why farmers markets are so important.

Different Standpoints

Although the farmer and the consumer are coming at the issue from different angles, their causes are united. By adopting principles of sustainable farming, growers of produce have pledged themselves to an agrarian life that makes environmental care an enormous responsibility. Before this movement began to take shape, farmer profitability was only available to those who went the route of industrial farming, a practice that is neither environmentally conscious nor beneficial to the consumer. Those who practice sustainable farming avoid corporate affiliation and instead focus on the local viability of their produce. Since industrial farming or agri-business is such a behemoth, profitability relies upon sustainable farming communities standing together. It also relies upon consumers to take these issues to heart and put their money in support of them.

Sustainable Farming and Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are the marketplace realization of the principles of sustainable farming. Communities organize around the three principles, standing united in core belief and mutual support. As this happens, people in cities and towns where farmers markets are held adopt the same attitudes and help to make the sustainable farms profitable by spending their money at the markets. Because both the farmers and the consumers see environmental stewardship as the centerpiece to agricultural sustainability, they are united in principle and mutually benefit each other. The farmers produce quality sustainable produce while the consumers purchase it, completing the cycle.

Without sustainable farms, farmers markets would be a hollow shell, a corporate produce aisle set up on the street. Thus, the link between sustainable farming and farmers markets is a direct one that shares a cause and effect relationship. Healthy, sustainable produce is provided to the consumer while the farmers are supported for providing it. They can thrive rather than just survive because not only are they supported from within their own communities they are supported from without by conscientious consumers.

Farmers markets serve sustainable farms. Their relationship is symbiotic–without farmers markets, sustainable farms would have few places to sell their wares; without sustainable farms, farmers markets would not exist. Both share in the belief that the principles of sustainable farming are necessary to produce healthy, affordable produce without the interference of speculators and middlemen.

Ultimately, of course, neither farmers markets nor sustainable farms would exist without the committed support of consumers in their local communities. Farmers markets and the number of sustainable farms are growing because people understand the benefits that sustainable agriculture offers in terms of their health, food security, and the physical and social environment in which they live. Shopping at a Farmers Market is a very direct investment in your quality of life.

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JCFMA is dedicated to educating consumers about the health, environmental and community benefits of buying and eating food that is sustainably produced, marketed, and sold. In addition to operating our Farmers Market toward this end, JCFMA has also provided funding to the following organizations and projects:

Educating Consumers
Farm Visits: In partnership with Washington State University, JCFMA is a cosponsor of the annual Jefferson County Farm Tour in which numerous farmers open their farms to the public to educate them on sustainable farming and where their food comes from. Also included on the tour are community gardens and fiber farms. In 2009, JCFMA contributed $3,000 to sponsor the event and promoted it heavily at the market.

Outreach: JCFMA is an active participant in Fresh and Healthy Food for Everyone, an outreach campaign conducted in cooperation with the Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to educate and assist low income individuals and families on the benefits of healthy eating, which has resulted in a threefold increase in food stamp purchases at the PTFM.

In 2008, JCFMA sponsored the first annual WIC-nic, an educational event directed at women in the WIC program. WIC clients learn how to use their checks and are treated to a great lunch and cooking demonstration of a simple recipe using fresh vegetables. Translators and childrens activities are also provided.

Study Groups: In 2009, JCFMA made a $330 contribution to the Northwest Earth Institute, a 501c3 organization, to assist with their educational program “Menu for the Future”, a program designed to explore food systems and their impact on culture, society and ecological systems and to promote sustainable agricultural and individual practices.

Cooking Classes: JCFMA has retained the services of local chef Arran Stark to conduct cooking classes at the Saturday market approximately twice a month during market season. The classes are designed around simple recipes using fresh local produce to create healthful, tasty meals. The demonstrations are open to all. We are looking into purchasing a small mobile demonstration kitchen that could be used to extend our cooking demonstrations to other venues, including schools, the health department, and senior centers.

Providing information: JCFM distributes educational materials at its booth at every market, including recipes, information on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), other farmers markets and organizations, including Tilth, Puget Sound Fresh, and Cascade Harvest Coalition. Our website contains links to other organizations that share its purpose and vision, as well as a reading list of culinary, environmental and agricultural book titles.

Collaboration: JCFM is a member of the Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative, a consortium of 8 community organizations that are working strategically to keep the rural landscape economically viable by offering landowners a variety of tools to assist them in business planning, resource conservation, education, technical assistance, and marketing. Other members include the Jefferson County Conservation District, Jefferson Land Trust, Washington State University Extension, the Food Co-op, Northwest Natural Resource Group, and Shore Bank Enterprise Cascadia. The Collaboratives goal is to help small scale farmers and foresters be economically successful so that agricultural and forest land can remain part of the local landscape.

Celebrations: JCFM holds an annual harvest dinner which is an event designed to showcase and celebrate local and sustainably grown foods, educate the public about local agriculture and how their food is produced, and raise funds to support its many community projects. The event includes an educational program including a keynote speaker as well as shorter presentations by local farmers.

Educating and Helping Farmers and the Community
Developing Locally Adapted Seed: In 2009, JCFMA contributed $2,000 to Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), a 501c3 organization, to help fund a new project aimed at enabling year round sustainable food production on Jefferson County farms. OSA is working with local farmers to develop healthy stores of locally adapted seed varieties for a range of vegetables and grains.

Food donations: For the past several years, JCFMA has coordinated donations of local produce that's left over after the market to the Jefferson County Food Bank, gathering up to 100 lbs. of produce per week for distribution to low-income households.

Supporting small farmers in need: In 2007, JCFMA donated $1,000 to the Olympia Farmers Market to assist farmers who suffered serious losses as a result of catastrophic storms and flooding in West Central Washington.

Non-profit booths: For the past two years, JCFMA has provided complimentary booth space at its market for the following non-profit organizations: Gathering Place (serving the developmentally disabled), Jefferson County Animal Shelter, Greyhound (dog) Rescue, Second Chance (private animal shelter), Master Gardeners, Washington State University, Master Gardeners, Slow Food, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, the Port Townsend Film Festival and the Jefferson Trails Association.

Reading List

2009-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Sustainability:
Ableman, Michael* Fields of Plenty (2005)
Carson, Rachel Silent Spring (1962)
Coleman, Eliot

The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener (1995)
Four Seasons Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long (1999)

Kingsolver, Barbara Animal Vegetable Miracle (2007)
Lappe, Frances M. Diet for a Small Planet (1971)
Manning, Ivy* The Farm to Table Cookbook – The Art of Eating Locally (2008)
Nabhan, Gary

Renewing America’s Food Traditions (2008)
Renewing Salmon Nation’s Food Traditions (2006)

Nestle, Marion What to Eat (2006)
Pollan, Michael

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (2008)
The Omnivore’s Dilemma (2007)
The Botany of Desire (2002)

Schlosser, Eric Fast Food Nation (2001)

NW Cookbooks / Memoirs:
Amster-Burton,Matthew* Hungry Monkey (2009)
Atkinson, Greg*

In Season (1997)
The Northwest Essentials Cookbook (1999)
Entertaining in the Northwest Style (2005)

Beard, James*

James Beard’s Delights and Prejudices (1964)
Beard on Food: The Best Recipes & Kitchen Wisdom from the Dean of American Cooking

Borg, Shannon & Misterly, Lora Lea* Chefs on the Farm (Quillisascut) (2008)
Flinn, Kathleen* The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry (2007)
Lucas, Jimella & Nanci Main

The Ark Restaurant Cookbook (1985)
Bay and Ocean Cookbook (1986)
The Best of the Ark and More! (2000)

Pellegrini, Angelo* The Unprejudiced Palate: Classic thoughts on Food and the Good Life (1948)
Richardson, Noel* In a Country Garden - Life at Ravenhill Farm (1996)
Selengut, Becky* Washington Local and Seasonal Cookbook (2008)
Wizenberg, Molly* A Homemade Life (2009)

Fiction:
Bauermeister, Erica* The School of Essential Ingredients (2009)

* NW author

2009-11-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

Olympic Peninsula Resources and Partners

Jefferson Landworks: www.jeffersonlandworks.org
Jefferson Land Trust: www.saveland.org
Port Townsend Food Co-op: www.foodcoop.coop
Jefferson County WSU Extension Agency: www.jefferson.wsu.edu
Organic Seed Alliance: www.seedalliance.org
Jefferson Conservation District: www.jeffersoncd.org
Chimacum Farmers Market: www.chimacum.org
Port Angeles Farmers Market: www.portangelesfarmersmarket.com

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