Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current, May 18, 2018, Image 2

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Newspaper Page Text2 CapitalPress.com May 18, 2018 People & Places For first-generation farmers Tierney Creech helps form coalition to support young producers Western Innovator By DON JENKINS Capital Press Tierney Creech grew up in a Seattle suburb and became a farmer, surprisingly. “I didn’t know it was an op- tion,” she said. Creech comes from Red- mond, Wash., the home of Microsoft and other high-tech companies. She got a college degree and went to work for a YMCA. Her first move toward becoming a farmer was leaving her Y cubicle. That was about a decade ago. Now Creech, 35, grows vegetables on roughly 2 acres on plots in Maytown and Grand Mound in Thurston County, Wash. She and her farming partner, Julie Puhich, supply about 100 families who sign up for weekly boxes of produce during the growing season. To connect with other fledg- ling growers, she helped found the Washington Young Farmers Coalition in 2010. She’s also on the board of the National Young Farmers Coalition. Most members, she said, are like her. They have small par- cels of land and are making a go at an occupation they didn’t grow up around. “A lot of us are coming in as first-generation farmers,” Creech said. “We can’t look back on generations of knowl- edge in our families.” Advocacy, support The Young Farmers Co- alition combines advocacy, socializing and practical sup- port. Membership in the state coalition is fairly informal. The group’s Facebook page has more than 1,750 friends. “The camaraderie is really valuable,” Creech said. “It’s a Tierney Creech Age: 35 Occupation: Farmer, owns Common Ground CSA in Thurston County, Wash. Positions: National Young Farmers Coalition board; founding member of Washington Young Farmers Coalition Don Jenkins/Capital Press Education: Western Washington University, major in psychology, minor in environmental studies Western Washington farmer Tierney Creech is on the board of the National Young Farmers Coalition. hard thing to go from ‘I want to farm’ to farming.” Last year, the national orga- nization dug into what makes getting into farming hard by surveying more than 3,500 past, current or aspiring farmers under 40 years old. The survey found that the top challenges faced by young farmers were finding land and workers, paying for health in- surance and paying off student debt. An accompanying report recommends more government support for low-interest loans and a variety of farmer assis- tance programs, especially for minorities. The report also ad- vocates student loan forgive- ness for farmers. On the state level, Creech testified in support this year of a bill to provide farmers with free mental health counseling. Her testimony included a sto- ry about a young farmer who committed suicide. Represen- tatives from other farm groups had similar stories. The bill passed. Creech said the state and national chapters of the Young Farmers Coalition started at about the same time. She said her involvement began by attending another or- ganization’s gathering of young farmers. “It was the first time I had ever met other young people farming,” Creech said. Creech graduated from Western Washington Universi- ty with a degree in psychology and a minor in environmental studies. Her interest in the out- doors and summer camps led to the YMCA job. She, however, wanted a foreign adventure. She found it by signing up with Willing Workers on Organic Farms, a cultural exchange pro- gram. She spent a year working on organic farms in New Zea- land, she recalled. “I continued to learn that I loved farming,” Creech said. CSA honor system She came back to Wash- ington and worked on several farms before going into busi- ness with Puhich, the long- time operator of the Common Ground CSA, the initials of community supported agricul- ture. After a couple of years, Creech took over ownership at the beginning of 2017. Customers sign up to re- ceive small or large boxes of vegetables for 25 weeks. A small share costs $450 to $700. A large share costs $700 to $1,000. Customers choose the exact price. It’s a sliding scale meant to tie what customers pay to their income using the honor system. “It’s a great model. It’s re- ally simple,” Creech said. The model has been dura- ble. Puhich started Common Ground more than 25 years ago. The farm has no website. It relies on word-of-mouth ad- vertising. Creech said her customers like fresh vegetables — and who’s growing their food. “It’s a way for people to feel part of a community,” she said. Creech said she tries to deliver about a dozen differ- ent kinds of vegetables each week. “It’s cool to watch the seasons change and watch the boxes change,” she said. Customers assume some risk for poor crops. “If I have a bad year for carrots, they know they’re not going to have many carrots,” she said. This does not relieve Com- mon Ground of responding to market demands. “If I gave them only kale for four weeks, they probably wouldn’t stick around,” Creech said. “We have customers saying, ‘We want more beans.’ At the same time, we have customers say- ing, ‘We want less beans.’” Creech said she hires one full-time seasonal worker. Even with just one worker, Washington’s $11.50 per hour minimum wage — the highest among all states — is a major expense. She said her plans are to keep the enterprise going and to keep farming. “It’s definitely the most satisfying work I’ve ever found,” she said. Kircher appointed to Oregon Dairy Farmers Association board SALEM, Ore. — Robert Kircher, a partner to two or- ganic dairy farms, has been appointed to the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association Board of Directors representing produc- ers in the Willamette Valley. Kircher will complete the remaining two years of a term vacated by Pete DeHaan, ac- cording to an ODFA press re- lease. Kircher has a unique back- ground for a dairy producer. He was born in Kodiak, Alaska, and moved to Oregon when he was two years old. His fami- ly invested in a brew pub, and when Robert was 11, he met Dan Bansen, the owner of For- Calendar To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Submit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 or emailed to newsroom@capitalpress.com. Write “Calendar” in the subject line. Saturday, May 19 Goat Academy 2018. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Latah County Fairgrounds, 1021 Harold St., Moscow, Idaho. An all-day confer- ence on all things goat. The event is limit- ed to 200 participants, and preregistration is required. The full schedule and a reg- istration link can be found under events at www.palousegoatguild.com. Cost: $50 general/$25 4H, FFA. Monday, May 21 Bee workshop. 6:30 p.m. OSU Extension, 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, Ore. Varroa mites: What they are, what they do and what the future holds. Cost: Free Website: http://extension.ore- gonstate.edu/columbia Saturday, May 26 Goat healthcare/nutrition/packgoat seminar. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Workshop, 7211 40th Court NE, Olympia, Wash. Seminar includes handouts and hands- on time with goats. If you are new to goats or just need a refresher for goat care this is a great event. Instructor has 30-plus years of successful goat care experience. Cost is $25 for public; $7.50 for 4-H/FFA members/family/volunteers. For more information contact Donna at 360-742-8310 or dsemasko@comcast. net. Website: edelweissacresobers.com Online www.oregondairyfarmers.org ODFA Robert Kircher, newly appointed board member of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association. est Glen Jerseys. Robert’s father was looking for a dairy to take the brewers grain leftover from Saturday-Sunday May 26-27 Alpaca Shearing Day & Fleece Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas of Oregon, 21345 SW Aebischer Road, Sherwood, Ore. Join EasyGo Farm at Alpacas of Oregon and take a break from the Me- morial Day Winery Tours to watch the alpacas get their annual haircuts. Get up close, hand feed them, and handle their luxurious fleece. Shearing Day is Satur- day. On Sunday, learn to felt an alpaca gift. Phone Suzanne at 503-348-6954 to reserve a spot. $25-$75 covers materi- als and instruction. Cost: Free. Website: www.easygofarm.net/AOOMemDay Saturday-Monday May 26-28 Memorial Day Weekend Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Redhawk Vineyard & Winery, 2995 Michigan City Lane NW, Salem, Ore. Join us for wine and bar- rel tasting, food, our incredible view and music. $12 tasting fee. Website: www.redhawkwine.com Wednesday, May 30 Field to Market Workshop. 1-4 p.m. OSU Extension Service, 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, Ore. Learn from experts about Oregon Department of Agriculture regulations, recipe selection, labeling guidelines and other issues involved in producing val- ue-added products. Cost: $25/person, $40/couple Website: http://extension. oregonstate.edu/columbia/ Friday-Saturday June 1-2 WSU Beef 200 Course. Okan- ogan County Fairgrounds, Annex Building, 175 Rodeo Trail Road, Okanogan, Wash. Topics for Friday night session, which will be 5:30- the beer making process and Bansen was interested. He invit- ed Robert and his two younger 8:30 p.m., include management of lupine on range and beef pairings with wine and beer, with a focus on direct marketing of your beef. Topics for Saturday, which will be 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., include live animal evalu- ation and grading, ruminology 101/ beef nutrition, factors affecting beef quality and palatability, carcass and retail cutting demonstrations, grid pricing, team evaluating and auc- tion, and fetal programming. Spon- sored by WSU Extension and the Methow Conservancy. Access the information brochure and hard copy registration at: http://extension.wsu. edu/okanogan/ Cost: $60/person (additional $25 after May 21); Fri- day or Saturday session only: $40/ person (additional $25 after May 21). Website: https://okanogan- beef200.brownpapertickets.com Saturday, June 2 81st Annual Marion County Lamb & Wool Show. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Turner Elementary School, 7800 School St., Turner, Ore. The show is a day of fun with 4-H & FFA events, wool animals and market lambs. The show also includes craft vendors, an ice cream vendor, a local spinning club and plants for sale. Again this year we will start the day with the children’s classes: Most Beautiful Lamb, Young Herdsman and Young Market Lamb classes for children under the age of 10. Website: http://marioncountylam- bandwoolshow.yolasite.com/ Wednesday, June 6 Our Valley, Our Future Breakfast. 7:15-8:45 a.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1515 College Way, Mount Vernon, Wash. Join us for our fourth annual celebration of past, present and future Skagit Valley agricultural brothers to spend the day with him and learn about the farm. That one-day visit turned into a job after school, working week- ends and during summer break. Kircher graduated from Or- egon State University with a degree in agriculture and a fo- cus on dairy science. He spent a term on a conventional dairy in Hilmar, Calif. Following his graduation, he returned to the farm full-time. He worked his way up to farm manager and became a partner in the busi- ness with his brother, Stewart leaders over a hearty breakfast. This year our keynote speaker will be Cis- coe Morris of King 5 TV. Awards will also be presented to honor the Skagi- tonians that shape our industry. This event is a great way to connect with regional businesses and farmers, cel- ebrate successes, and start the day feeling informed and inspired. Cost: Free; donations requested Website: http://www.skagitonians.org/events/ valley-future-breakfast/ Tuesday-Friday June 12-15 Agriculture Transportation Coali- tion Annual Meeting. Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce St., Tacoma, Wash. The meeting will be the largest annual gathering of ag shippers sourcing and delivering to for- eign markets. The agenda includes an off-the-record best practices session for members, a port tour and sessions on other topics. Website: www.agtrans.org/ events Wednesday, June 13 Sherman County Field Day. 8:40 a.m.-noon. Sherman County Station, 66365 Lone Rock Road, Moro, Ore. Topics include wheat breeding and variety testing, weed control, disease control and agronomy. Website: http:// cbarc.aes.oregonstate.edu Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.-noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the first session of a six-session course on forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife hab- itat, and other forestry topics. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@uidaho.edu Saturday-Sunday June 16-17 84th Annual Glenwood “Ketchum Kircher, and Dan Bansen. They currently milk 1,500 organic Jerseys on two farms. Kircher and his wife Cal- lyn have two children. Kircher graduated from ODFA’s Dairy Leadership Program and cur- rently serves on Organic Val- ley’s Dairy Executive Commit- tee. The Oregon Dairy Farmers Association is governed by eight producers from across the state and one industry rep- resentative. ODFA was found- ed in 1892 to work on behalf of Oregon dairy farmers. ODFA represents Oregon’s 218 multi-generational Grade A dairy farming families. Kalf” Rodeo. 12:30-10 p.m. The Glen- wood, Wash., Rodeo Association is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that sponsors this rodeo. Cost: $10 for adults, $3 for ages 4 to 12. Wednesday, June 20 Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.-noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the sec- ond session of a six-session course on forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife hab- itat, and other forestry topics. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@uidaho.edu Saturday-Sunday June 23-24 Aquaponics in Oregon Confer- ence. Smith Hall, Western Oregon University, 345 Monmouth Ave., Monmouth, Ore. Hear from some of the top commercial growers, innovators and educators in this emerging green industry and dis- cover the challenges and oppor- tunities aquaponics present. Cost: $135/person. Website: https://bit. ly/2KdDXSM Wednesday, June 27 Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.-noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the third session of a six-session course on forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife habitat, and other forestry topics. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@uidaho.edu Wednesday, July 11 Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.-noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the fourth session of a six-session course on forest ecology, silviculture, wildlife habitat, and other forestry topics. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@uidaho.edu Capital Press Established 1928 Board of Directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Harrison Forrester Mike Omeg Cory Bollinger Jeff Rogers Corporate Officers Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer Rick Hansen Chief Financial Officer Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2018 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ......................... 800-882-6789 Email ........ Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas .......... 208-860-3898 Boise Brad Carlson .................... 208-914-8264 Cent. Washington Dan Wheat ........................ 509-699-9099 W. Washington Don Jenkins ...................... 360-722-6975 E Washington Matthew Weaver .............. 509-688-9923 Oregon George Plaven ................. 406-560-1655 Mateusz Perkowski .......... 800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ..................... 800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Ad fax .............................. 503-364-2692 or ...................................... 503-370-4383 Telephone (toll free) .......... 800-882-6789 Online ......www.capitalpress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $3.75/month (direct with- drawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com marketplace.capitalpress.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo Index Dairy ...................................... 8 Innovations .......................10-11 Markets ............................... 13 Opinion .................................. 6 Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.