Country Life March 2015

Country Life A6 • Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Agriculture

‘Small-lot ag’ is new planning approach Stronger rural protection is up for discussion in Ag Advisory Committee

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

WHATCOM ­— Get used to a new term in local planning lingo: small-lot ag.

The concept has been discussed since 2013 by county planning staff with the citizen Agricultural Advisory Committee. Now it’s taking more specific shape.

The topic is on the agenda of the Thursday, March 12 advisory committee meeting, starting at 3:30 p.m. in the planning department’s Northwest Annex conference room, 5280 Northwest Dr. Actually, this is an evolution from the 2007 Rural Land Study that looked at how to better preserve rurally zoned Whatcom County land, up to 21,950 acres’ worth, for production agriculture. Such protection could supplement the 84,211 acres that is already in the Agriculture zone, as the county seeks to keep 100,000 acres of soil actively engaged in agriculture.

Two new zones, Ag-5

and Ag-10, could be used, either selectively or across the board, in place of the current Rural-5 and Rural-10 zones.

One goal is to discourage conversion to home-building. Currently, as many as 1,877 dwelling units could be built on the rural land.

The small-lot ag zones would not allow schools and churches, recreational facilities or campgrounds. As currently written, however, they would allow regional parks, on-farm mushroom substrate operations, and ancillary farm uses.

Planners are also looking at how effective another tool, the Agricultural Protection Overlay — tied to types of soils and enrollment in openspace tax breaks — has been since 1997.

The county is working with consultant BERK & Associates to develop an environmental impact statement for its Comprehensive Plan update, due to be completed June 30, 2016. As part of the resource lands section, BERK will also look at the small-ag lot scenarios.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee is asked for its nod to draft code language for the new potential zones, hopefully by May 2015. The overall plan update is also underway.

Business

Whatcom Farmers Co-op moves toward April vote on merger

LYNDEN — As Whatcom Famers Cooperative mulls the option of merging with CHS Inc., a large national farmerowned cooperative, the local group looks toward a likely April date for a stockholder vote on the proposal, a CHS spokesperson said.

A merger requires voting approval from the members of Whatcom Farmers Co-op and the CHS Board of Directors.

The local vote could come as soon as April, but no date has been set.

Lynden Ice and Lynden Meat vow to restructure

LYNDEN — As Lynden Ice Co. and Lynden Meat Co. enter into receivership, owners Rick and Brett Biesheuvel say they are “going through some difficult times right now,” but don’t plan on shuttering their businesses, which remain open.

“We will restructure and come back,” Brett said.

“Understand we are going

CLARIFICATION A story on a new round of federal Water Quality Initiative funding ran on page A6 in the Feb. 25 Tribune. Two local watersheds will get funding.

Whatcom Conservation District executive director George Boggs adds this about the Water Quality Initiative: “There were seven contracts totaling $1.9 million for the first two rounds. It is estimated that there will be at least $500,000 available this round like last round. However, as money frees up across the nation, there could be more. They got an additional $700,000 last round. So, we encourage folks to sign up!

Call Chris Clark in our office for details on the program.”

The office can be reached at new phone number 5262381.

After the winter that wasn’t, the activity of a new agricultural season in Whatcom County is happening soon than normal this spring. On Monday, a helicopter was spraying berries near Noon Road, and the beef cattle of “Farmer Ben” Elenbaas were out in pasture on Van Dyk Road. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

Beef CHS already manufactures, markets and distributes the Cenex brand fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products sold by WFC. “We have been a successful company because we have always planned for future sustainability,” said Jeff Bedlington, president of the WFC Board of Directors. “This decision is about looking ahead to what can help ensure we continue to stay financially strong and viable for the next generation and the one after that.”

Founded in 1982 as a merger of Whatcom County Grange Supply and local assets of Western Farmers Association, today Whatcom Farmers Cooperative has locations in the communities of Lynden, Bellingham, Fairhaven, Ferndale, Blaine and Nooksack.

through difficult times and we will work our way out.”

Lynden Ice and Lynden Meat both operate at 1936 Front St. A notice of receivership was ordered by a state Superior Court on Feb. 20, which allows a receiver to take custody of property, business, rents and profits pending a final decision on disbursement of assets. The notice also alerts creditors and other parties that in order to receive any dividend from the company, they must file a proof of claim.

Green Barn offering grass-fed meats from Burk Ridge Farms Lynden food market makes first move into meat sales

By Mark Reimers news@ferndalerecord.com

LYNDEN — Dave and Tim Burger had been thinking about selling meats out of their small food market for two years. It wasn’t a simple project, given their quality and price requirements.

So it was a welcome surprise when Burk Ridge Farms approached the brothers and partners with an offer of grass-fed pork and beef.

Much of the pricing work was al-

ready done, Dave Burger said, and the meat quality was top-notch.

The Green Barn already has a full stock of pork to sell, with the beef products scheduled to hit its freezers later in the month.

Burk Ridge Farms is owned and operated by local NFL punter Michael Koenen and his wife Devin, along with Devin’s parents, Vern and Joann Dykstra. The farm offers pasture-raised livestock which is slaughtered and USDA processed on-site in a mobile slaughter trailer manufactured in Ferndale.

The pork is 100 percent free of GMOs, growth hormones and steroids, and has been totally pasture raised and fed a nonGMO, no-soy grain as a supplement.

It just so happens that the pigs also

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snacked on organic veggies grown on the Green Barn’s property.

Burger said on-site slaughtering means less stress on the animals.

“It’s a perfect fit and since (Koenen) does it all from start to finish — raising and slaughtering — that’s what we like,” Burger said. “As few hands in the process as possible. It fits well with what we are already doing in this store.”

Burger said the pricing for the pork and the beef reflects the quality, but is definitely competitive with other outlets, making it a great value.

For more information about Burk Ridge Farms, visit www.burkridgefarms. com. The Green Barn is located at 211 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Call 318-8869 for more information.

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Wednesday, March 11, 2015 • lyndentribune.com • A7

MiElkE Market

Milk price lowest since May 2012

By Lee Mielke lkmielke@juno.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the February Federal Order Class III milk price March 4 at $15.46 per hundredweight, down 72 cents from January.

That’s $7.89 below February 2014, $1.68 above the comparable California Class 4b cheese milk price, and equal to about $1.33 per gallon, down from $1.39 in January.

This is the lowest Class III price since $15.23 in May 2012.

And Class III futures indicate that this will not be the bottom for 2015, either, as the March contract settled Friday at $15.42 per cwt. The turnaround would begin in April, which settled at $15.50, with a peak of just $17.32 in October, $7.28 less than the 2014 peak that occurred in September.

The February Class IV price is $13.82, up 59 cents from January but $9.64 below a year ago.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced the state’s February 4b cheese milk price March 2 at $13.78 per hundredweight, up 3 cents from January but an eye-popping $7.36 below February 2014.

The small rebound reverses

four weeks of decline, but is $8.61 below the record-high $22.39 in September 2014.

The ongoing gap between the week’s announced benchmark milk prices narrowed some. The Federal Order Class III price, at $15.46, compared to California’s Class 4b cheese milk price of $13.78. The gap in 2014 ranged from a low of 84 cents in January, to a high of $3.24 in November.

Rob Vandenheuvel, manager of California’s Milk Producers Council, has often written about the gap in his weekly newsletter and the millions of dollars it has cost California dairy producers. It is also the impetus behind the recent effort to form a Federal Order in the nation’s number 1 milk producing state.

The cheese market con-

tinues to be a very stable situation, according to Dairy Market News. Midwest manufacturers view this period as one of business as usual.

Heavy milk supplies continue to move to Midwest cheese vats over other dairy products. Buyers continue buying cheese, although at a slower pace from some plants, as inventories begin to fill.

Fresh cheddar is fairly easy to locate and purchase.

Many cheese sellers do not anticipate any imminent factor that will significantly move markets off the current resting point, although there remains a “calm before the possible storm” apprehension with other manufacturers, who are nervous about the market’s lack of any clear direction and dread the unknown. There is an awareness of the potential for what some manufacturers believe could be minor softening in domestic cheese prices, as the spring flushes in the U.S. and Europe progress.

Don’t let the stability in dairy product prices convince you that commercial disappearance is behind it. Jerry Dryer, editor of the Dairy and Food Market Analyst, said in Friday’s “DairyLine” that he would hesitate to use the word “stable,” when describ-

ing commercial disappearance. He said the market “appears to be in reasonably good balance,” but he thinks we’re going to get “overloaded with product here in the not too distant future.”

When asked how low prices will go, he said butter only has a small amount of downside left but he sees the possibility of 10-15 cents coming off the cheese prices “pretty easily,” and his longrange forecast has nonfat dry milk trading below $1 per pound as we get into the spring flush.

Dan McBride of the Northwest Dairy Association made these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend Feb. $15.46 $15.45 (current) March $15.45 $15.25 April $15.35 $15.15 May $15.35 $15.40 June $16.00 $15.75 July $16.50 $16.30 Aug. $17.00 $16.65 Sept. $17.10 $17.00 Oct. $17.30 $16.85 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly and associate editor of DairyBusiness Update. Whatcom County has about 100 dairy farms.

4-H Report COUNTRY PARTNERS Reporter: Kelly Klem March has arrived and so has spring, it appears. It’s been sunny and warm and soon the peak of spring will arrive with all the gifts it has to offer. Soon there will be new crops of baby chicks, calves, lambs and anything else you may see down at the farm. Baby animals will emerge into the spotlight to be smothered with affection by the kids of 4-H, whether it be squeezing baby bunnies and smothering them with love, dawdling around the yard after fluffy yellow chicks, or wrangling kittens to pose them in doll clothes.

Last month, our club kept busy prepping our public presentations for the fair. In case you don’t know how public presentations work, each 4-H member learns about a topic or learns a procedure of their choice and has to present it with a certain set of skills on a rubric in front of a table of judges. It’s fun as well as educational, especially since there’s such a huge range of topics our club members are knowledgeable of. One minute you’re learning how to shear a sheep and the next minute you’re given a presentation on how to survive a zombie apocalypse. Everyone is free to pick a topic of their own interest and the judges are very interested in hearing what everyone has

to say.

Our presentations are very important not only because by doing so we are developing social speaking skills, but we also learn to become knowledgeable about a certain topic and learn to present the information we’ve retained. We do a public presentation day annually, so that means each year you come back and get a new score. It’s rewarding to see how each 4-H person has grown and gotten better at delivering their thoughts to a group of people which will be most beneficial for the rest of their days of 4-H and their life careers.

On another note, this month the Country Partners club went rollerskating in Lynden as an entertaining casual event for the kids.

I mean, what other time in your life will you find it the coolest to roll around on bulky roller skates decked out in glowsticks than when you’re young? It was a grand outing and just another one of the reasons why being in 4-H is one of the greatest things you can be involved in.

BARNYARD KIDS Reporter: Luke Wolfisberg On March 5, Barnyard Kids 4-H Club held its monthly meeting. As our president was absent, Luke Wolfisberg led the meeting, which

was called to order at 7:10 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kai Wolfisberg, and Jacob Tolsma led the 4-H Pledge.

We had a new member introduction of Leena Heeringa. Luke read the minutes from the last meeting, followed by project reports from Michael Bareman, Rafe Wolfisberg and Kai Wolfisberg. Juli Dickinson and Rafe then proceeded with activity reports on demonstrations and Quiz Bowl, respectively.

In new business, the Hoard’s Dairyman Judging Contest entries will be due on March 16. The Springtime Youth Calf Sale will be held March 21 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, with a judging practice preceding the event. Whatcom County Youth Fair entries are due March 18, and the fair will be April 1011. Our theme will be “John Deere” for our silent auction basket, and each family is asked to contribute an item. The Evergreen Junior Dairy Show will be held April 24-25 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. Entries for that are due March 23.

To close the meeting, Abbey Bareman and Juli Dickinson both presented fantastic demonstrations on “How to Make an Orange Milkshake” and “Dairy Diseases.” The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Outdoors

Giving decks an aesthetic flair Bellinghambased Artistic Decks specializes in deck designs and patterns

By Cameron Van Til sports@lyndentribune.com

BELLINGHAM — With Artistic Decks, one of the few limitations is one’s own imagination.

“We’ve made all sorts of designs and we love a challenge,” owner Tyler VanKatwijk said. “If you can dream up some curves, we can make it happen.”

Artistic Decks, based in Bellingham, covers a broad spectrum of outdoor living, but specializes in building decks and railings. And its signature distinction is the ability to create decking with designs and patterns.

“Those are the decks that

we love to build,” VanKatwijk said. “It’s when we can really let our artistic side show.”

Artistic Designs is able to create such decks by using specialized equipment such as heat blankets, which can heat up and bend composite decking into beautiful designs and patterns.

“We heat up the decking until it’s soft enough to bend like a noodle,” VanKatwijk said. “If you get to the right temperature, you could tie a bow if you wanted.”

Last year, for example, VanKatwijk made a deck with a large compass design on it.

Artistic Decks use a 3-D design program, which helps with the creative process and allows customers to see every detail of the deck before it’s built.

“Our aim is to work closely with the homeowner so that we can design their deck down to the last inch and build it exactly the way they want it,” said VanKatwijk,

who began building decks for himself in 2002.

“The part I love the most about building decks is to design a project and see it come to life, especially the more creative or challenging projects. It’s a great sense of satisfaction when you can stand back and see what you have built.”

Artistic Decks had a booth at this year’s Whatcom County Home & Garden Show, where VanKatwijk showcased four or five different mini-sections of decks with a surrounding border frame and different color selections, in addition to some railing displays.

In addition to decks and railings, Artistic Decks builds and installs gazebos, outdoor kitchens, awnings, motorized awning, pergolas, water features, pavers, concrete and more.

Also, Artistic Decks is one of few contractors building steel-framed decks, VanKatwijk said, adding that steel is straighter, stronger and lasts much longer than wood.

Artistic Decks specializes in waterproofing decks as well, has many green products and can offer solutions for LEED-certified building.

“We are lucky to live here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and are thankful for such a great community that has always taken care of us,” VanKatwijk said. “We strive to work with local companies and contractors to keep our community strong.”

For more information, visit www.bellinghamdeckb u i l d e r. c o m / i n d e x . h t m l , email artisticbuild@gmail. com or call 360-224-2647 for a free estimate.

Two complete Kulshan training

zenga to perform abdominal ultrasounds using a newly purchased ultrasound machine at Kulshan. The ultrasounds are read by a specialist.

The pair also completed and passed the Oncura Partners echocardiography training program.

Kulshan has again received its American Animal Hospital Association certification.

LYNDEN ­ — Lacie Howe and Sheryl Huizenga, licensed veterinary technicians at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital, have compled and passed the Oncura Partners abdominal ultrasound training program.

This training and certification allows Howe and Hui-

In Bloom

Spring is here — get to work!

By David Vos

So, how about that winter? For the last two months, I’ve cautioned against getting too excited about the springlike weather we’ve enjoyed for fear that a good dose of winter could still arrive. Although a slim chance of winter weather still exists, with March well underway it’s time to plow full speed ahead with spring and all it involves. Are you ready?

Given the non-winter we had this year (save for one good dose of cold around Thanksgiving), my money is on a bad year ahead for bug problems. Normally, a few good freezes throughout the winter help to keep insect populations in check, but with so few cold stretches this winter, a lot of bugs have likely survived just fine.

Last month, I wrote about spraying for insects, and for smaller shrubs and trees that’s a great option. If you have larger trees that are difficult to spray, however, or if you just don’t like the idea of spraying, there’s an alternative: systemic insecticide. For bug magnets in particular — ornamental cherry trees and several varieties of spruce, to name a couple — March is the perfect time to treat for bugs.

A product like Bayer Tree & Shrub is easy to use, requires no spraying and protects your plants from bugs for a full 12 months. If you’ve battled insects before or have concerns about the possibility in the coming year, remember that it’s much easier to prevent an infestation than to try to beat one back later, after your plants are already damaged.

Now, spring is off to an incredibly early start, but don’t get too far ahead of yourself — we still have several weeks to go before you start thinking of planting your geraniums or impatiens. That doesn’t mean that it’s not time to start planting, though! March is a great time to start planting shrubs and trees around your yard; in fact, with several months until hot summer weather arrives, if you plant now, you’ll have a lot less watering to do come July and August as your plants will be rooted in and growing.

With plants arriving at lo-

cal nurseries, now is the time to start browsing what’s available for the coming year and discover what would work well in your yard. Personally, I love conifers — with their evergreen foliage, they provide great anchor points throughout a garden and give year-round structure and character. One of my favorite plants to work with over the last couple of years has been Whipcord cedar.

If you’ve never seen Whipcord, imagine a shrub with a bad hair day … or maybe a Chia Pet gone awry. This strain of Western Red cedar has long, grass-like strands of evergreen foliage that gently move in the wind, but unlike many grasses, it looks good year-round and is incredibly hardy. A slow grower, Whipcord eventually tops out between four and five feet tall and about as wide, so it will work well even in small gardens.

Also, take time this month to fertilize your lawn. If you applied a winterizing fertilizer last fall, your grass benefited from the late feeding all winter long, but now it’s time to get your lawn going for spring.

Scotts Turf Builder with Moss Control provides an excellent blend of nutrients for earlyspring feeding and will green up your turf nicely. As a moss killer, this fertilizer is mediocre, so if you haven’t yet killed moss, do so separately — it’s never too late.

Our beautiful weather this winter may turn into a cool, rainy spring or summer ahead. So while the sun lasts, enjoy the fun of getting outside and playing in the dirt.

David Vos is the general manager of VanderGiessen Nursery in Lynden.

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