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CapitalPress.com Friday, January 24, 2020 Center helps farmers and businesses sell products overseas By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press More countries are looking for U.S.-grown and -processed agricultural products than ever before, a trade expert says. Value-added products and agriculture both have a bright outlook, said Vern Jenkins, international trade business adviser for the Small Busi- ness Development Center in Spokane. Jenkins and Allan Peterson, a certified business adviser and global business profes- sional for the center in Moses Lake, Wash., will offer a one- hour training session on suc- ceeding in international busi- ness at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Room 401C. Many tariff issues will hopefully be resolved soon, Jenkins said in December. They created changes in the volume of U.S. goods pur- chased by foreign buyers in targeted sectors. Moving forward. Giving back. Equal Housing Lender This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 8 “ We ’ v e never been in a more politi- cally charged environment in 30 years of my expe- Vern rience,” Jen- Jenkins kins said. Tariffs get the attention in the mainstream media, but Jenkins said many countries still rely on prod- ucts from the U.S. or Can- ada to round out their food supply. “Those are not shrinking,” Jenkins said. “Those continue to grow. That demand contin- ues to grow.” Jenkins has worked for the center 10 years. He’s been involved in international busi- ness for more than 25 years. “At this point in my life, my favorite part is assisting com- panies with entering foreign markets in a successful way,” he said. If a company has a product ONLINE https://wsbdc.org/ or interested buyers, the cen- ter can help it enter the market, make the sale, ship the product, learn the regulations, deter- mine who to work with, and other things, Jenkins said. Jenkins will give examples of resources, market-entry best practices and research to help small or medium-sized compa- nies enter a foreign market. The center also helps small or medium-sized farm opera- tions that have opportunities to sell value-added food products. The state Department of Commerce handles raw agri- cultural products, he said. The center also offers two-day workshops in east- ern and western Washington and no-cost advising and free international foreign market research to any company in the state, Jenkins said. Turfgrass seed commission to meet during Ag Show By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press Our mission is to support agriculture with reliable, consistent credit. As a cooperative, our members benefit through patronage dividends and our support of rural communities. A century of helping Northwest producers has positioned us well to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. And we’ll continue moving forward and giving back for another 100 years. 800.743.2125 | northwestfcs.com S162596-1 The Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission will have its annual meeting during the Spokane Ag Show. “The Spokane Ag Show is a great time of year for peo- ple to come together,” said Travis Meacham, a Moses Lake farmer and commis- sion president. “We thought it would be good for us to couple that, to make it eas- ier for our growers if they’re already attending the show, to come to our meeting, and just make their schedule a lit- tle easier.” There are more than 200 turfgrass seed growers and industry representatives east of the Cascade Mountains, said Kara Rowe, spokes- woman for the commission. The meeting will include speakers on international marketing. Much turf- grass seed is exported. The com- Travis mission will Meacham also hear a status report from the state Department of Ecology’s Office of the Columbia River. Farmers in the state grow both dryland and irri- gated turfgrass seed, Rowe said. The agenda includes updates on grass seed and on philosophies about xeri- scaping, or yard maintenance using less water, Rowe said. “Grass as a part of your landscape is a benefit,” she said. “How do we get that message out to peo- ple so they know grass is a good thing to have in your yard? It’s a topic we need to discuss from a market- ing and research standpoint. Let’s talk more about those benefits.” Quality is a top priority for all Washington turfgrass seed growers, Meacham said. The commission looks for ways to improve quality, including reducing weed and disease pressure. “That’s been our focus for a long time, creating tools to help growers,” he said. “That translates into quality.” Rowe hopes farmers leave the meeting energized, not- ing that leadership wants to work on their behalf. “Their say is vital,” she said. “We’ve got to hear from our growers so that the commissioners know what their main challenges are.”
