Country Life May 2015 by Lynden Tribune

Country Life

Dairy • CL3 Gardening • CL4 County news • CL5

Special Section • Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Nooksack basin declared to be in drought emergency

BRIEFLY Glen Echo Gardens in zoning fight Dick Bosch has turned historic land into Glen Echo Gardens, but he continues to deal with county limits in marketing it. Page CL4.

What action will be needed this summer remains unknown By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

WHATCOM — Count the Nooksack River watershed as droughtimpacted. On April 22 the Nooksack was added, along with 12 other river systems, to the state’s catalogue of areas affected by this past winter’s record-low snowpack. The Washington State Department of Ecology expanded the listing with the concurrence of Gov. Jay Inslee. “Many of our major rivers are forecasted to have April through September runoff volumes that will be the lowest in the past 64 years,” states an order from Ecology direc- The Nooksack River basin has already been declared in a drought emergency. (Calvin tor Maia Bellon that ran as a paid Bratt/Lynden Tribune) newspaper ad May 6. risk of experiencing less than 75 percent of “We expect that the volume of runoff “This shortfall is a serious threat to municipal and domestic water supplies, normal water supply and associated hard- this year in the Nooksack Basin will be the lowest in the past 64 years,” said Jeff Marti, irrigated agriculture and fisheries,” accord- ship.” ing to the declaration. “These areas are at That general prognosis applies to the Nooksack River too. See Nooksack on CL3

Old Forests Young children enjoy old forests as part of a Whatcom WSU Extension program. See more on page CL2.

Annuals for summer color Nursery expert David Vos lets us in on his picks for unique summer plant color. See page CL4.

Veterans, plants thrive on Lynden plot DelBene visits, sees progress at Growing Veterans site By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN — Growing food organically with other veterans, with Mount Baker looking magnificent in the distance, can be part of their healing and reentry process, a Growing Veterans group told Rep. Suzan

DelBene on Thursday. The congresswoman visited the greenhouses and drip-irrigation rows of kale and tomatoes and more, and heard how it all fits together and what it means to the six men now working the soil there. Their three-acre place is just off the Guide Meridian near King Tut Road. In the three years it’s been a Growing Veterans’ project, it appears to be growing in scale each new season. “I love it,” said Sean Dalgarn, who went through three Air Force

security deployments from 2005 to 2009. Growing food with their own hands and hoes offers “a chance to reconnect with something that really matters,” he said. Veterans, immediately when they come off active duty, may not take the time they should for themselves to process what they have gone through, several said. This productive quiet setting helps toward that. The produce goes entirely to the Veterans Affairs hospitals in Seattle and Tacoma.

Here in Whatcom County, the effort also brings together veterans of different ages and war experiences, from Vietnam to Iraq, said Dan Robinson, field manager. Good relationships are cultivated with the Bellingham Veterans Center and local veterans organizations in general. Robinson detailed to DelBene how he is being very attentive to efficient irrigation practices at the plot, both to keep down Growing Veter-

ans’ local water association bill and to do his part against any possible drought. With director Chris Brown, Robinson also talked of a 40-acre Skagit County property recently leased that could allow for more growth for the group, as the Lynden site is maxed out. But the southern site is not fully tillage-ready. Although there are various verSee Veterans on CL2

Superior performance and all-day ability. Get great Green Tag savings on hard-working John Deere equipment!

1023E Sub-Compact Utility Tractor with D120 Loader and Backhoe

4M Series Compact Utility Tractors

• Powerful 22.4 hp5 diesel engine • Twin Touch™ hydrostatic transmission • AutoConnect™ Mower Deck capability

• 43.1–65.9 hp5 engine • Hydrostatic or 12F/12R PowrReverser™ transmission • iMatch™, Quick-Hitch capability • Turbocharged diesel engine

72 % FOR MONTHS

2,500 FOR 72 % 0 MONTHS $

17,799 0

Riding Lawn Tractors

• Comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper warranties on all riding mowers • From the D100 Series to the Select Series™ Lawn Tractors available

Green Tag savings on all Select Series™ Lawn Tractors +

NO INTEREST 12 MONTHS

Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months or if your account is otherwise in default.

RSX850i Gator™ Utility Vehicle • 62 hp (46.2 kW)6 engine • Speeds up to 53 mph • Best-in-class cargo box

SAVE

3,500 72 MONTHS 3.9% FOR $

SAVE UP TO

Offer ends 6/30/15. Price applies only to 1023E sub-compact tractor package. Up to a 10% down payment may be required. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase the monthly payment. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Valid only at participating US Dealers. 1 Series Fixed Rate of 0.0% for 72 months. Prices and model availability may vary by dealer. 2Offer ends 6/1/15. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial. Fixed rate of 0% for 72 months. In lieu of finance offer, get $2,500 off the 4M Series Tractors. Cash Off Implement Bonus is in addition to financing and varies by 4M Model and requires the purchase of 2 John Deere or Frontier Implements.Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Valid only at participating US Dealers. 3Offer ends 6/1/15. For consumer use only. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at 17.9% APR if the purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months or if your account is otherwise in default. Subject to approved credit on Revolving plan, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Valid only at participating U.S. dealers. 4Offer ends 6/1/15. $3,500 off only 2014 model year and prior RSX850i models, $800 off XUV825i S4/XUV825i, and $600 off XUV550 S4/XUV550 models. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Available at participating dealers. Before operating or riding, always refer to the safety and operating information on the vehicle and in the operator’s manual. Actual vehicle top speed may vary based on belt wear, tire selection, vehicle weight, fuel condition, terrain and other environmental factors.5Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC. 6The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s web site for additional information. 1

Country Life 2 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

Showing young people old forests After nearly 60 years, students’ tour is shifting to fifth grade level this year WHATCOM — Growing a forest is a project of immense patience and dedication. For nearly 60 years, WSU Extension Whatcom County 4-H has helped organize the Sixth Grade County Forest Tour to impress upon young people the value of one of the Northwest’s greatest resources. This tradition began off the Y Road northeast of Bellingham in 1959 with the first sixth grade tour in a local forest. Since then, over 40,000 students from all over Whatcom County have participated and experienced the immense natural ecosystem of timberlands. Students experience how forests are cultured, protected and enjoyed and how their abundant resources benefit us all. This year, 30 different classes, totaling over 700 students from schools around Whatcom County, will be participating in the educational tour on May 18-21. The tour has been realigned to the fifth grade level, since that is now the age at which public school

children learn about forest ecosystems. Volunteers from several forest-focused organizations are helping create this valuable learning experience: Weyerhaeuser Columbia Timberlands, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, WSU Whatcom County Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom County Farm Forestry Association and Black Mountain Forestry Center. This year, the Sierra Pacific Foundation donated $1,000 to the Whatcom 4-H Council to help pay for bus transportation. These foresters, companies and landowners that are involved are special people with the foresight and commitment to plant trees so there will always be forests for everyone to enjoy and benefit from in the future. Each student on the tour receives a small seedling tree that can be planted and helped to grow, fostering a deeper appreciation of the commitment it takes to nurture this resource and provide for future generations. For more information about the tour, visit: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/4h/foresttour.html.

Students learn about trees and forests on a Forest Conservation Tour of the past. (Courtesy photo)

Veterans: Growing Continued from CL1 sions of veterans’ agricultural groups across the country, they each have their own models and goals, Robinson said. Veterans are hearing of Growing Veterans and finding

their way to northwest Washington to work here to the extent that funding allows, Robinson said. DelBene had already visited Growing Veterans and done some greenhouse duty earlier this year.

Rep. DelBene interacts with veterans at the King Tut Road site. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

D E T I V N I E R ’ ! u o YOU Y o t r e w o More P Sales Event USE! O H N E UR OP

AT O

Saturday, May 16th

11am-2pm

LIVE

on-site

FREE

Hempler Hot Dogs

0 Down, 0% Financing for 60 Months

A.P.R.

Offer ends 6/30/15.

Scholten's Equipment, Inc.

8223 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden, WA 98264 www.scholtensequipment.com (360) 354-4071

kubota.com

*$0 down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of select new Kubota models. Available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. Offer expires 6/30/2015. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.

Country Life 3 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

MiElkE Market

Whatcom County Youth Fair results

Milk price slowly recovering The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday, May 1, announced the April Federal Order Class III benchmark milk price at $15.81 per hundredweight (cwt.), up 25 cents from March. That’s $8.50 below April 2014, but $1.59 above California’s comparable 4b milk price. It equates to about $1.36 per gallon, up two cents from last month but well under the $2.09 a year ago. Class III futures portend a larger jump next month. The May contract settled Friday at $16.26 per cwt., June settled at $16.45, with the peak at $17.38 in November, $7.22 below the 2014 peak and record-high $24.60 in September. The four-month 2015 Class III average now stands at $15.75, down from $23.04 at this time a year ago and $17.48 in 2013. The April Class IV price is $13.51, down 29 cents from March and an eye-catching

$9.83 below a year ago. The four-week National Dairy Products Sales Reportsurveyed cheese price used to calculate the April price averaged $1.6122 per pound, up 3.7 cents from March. Butter averaged $1.7355, up 4.1 cents. Nonfat dry milk averaged 96.84 cents per pound, down 5.3 cents, and dry whey averaged 46.1 cents per pound, down 2.1 cents.

California’s April Class 4b cheese milk is $14.22 per cwt., also up 25 cents from March, but $7.51 below April 2014 and $1.59 shy of the comparable Federal Order Class III price. The gap is the same as last month’s and compares to $2.58 a year ago and 67 cents in April 2013. The Class 4a butter-powder milk price is $13.36, down 6 cents from March and $9.95 below a year ago. The 4b average now stands at $13.33, down from $22.97 a year ago and compares to $17.75 in 2013. Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk finished the week at 93.75 cents per pound, up 75 cents on the week but 85 cents below a year ago when it was trading at — better sit down for this — $1.7875 per pound. No powder was traded the week ending May 1 at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the NDPSR-surveyed

powder price hit 95.27 cents per pound, down 1.4 cents. Dry whey averaged 45.74 cents per pound, up 0.2 cent. Dan McBride of the Northwest Dairy Association made these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest producer blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend April $15.81 $14.71 (current) May $16.30 $15.90 June $17.00 $16.50 July $17.35 $16.90 Aug. $17.45 $17.10 Sept. $17.60 $17.20 $17.55 $17.00 Oct. Nov. $17.45 $16.95 Dec. $17.35 $16.75 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly and associate editor of DairyBusiness Update. Whatcom County has about 100 dairy farms.

Nooksack: Less than 75% of historic flows Continued from CL1 spokesperson in Ecology’s water resources program. As of Friday, May 8, all gages in the Nooksack were well below normal, with many of them in the 25 percentile range, meaning less than 75 percent of the historic yearly flows, Marti said. “The low snowpack is already manifesting itself in diminished runoff. The mainstem Nooksack River may actually have had its snowmelt bump in late March/early April this year,” he said. What does it all mean? That’s tied to Ecology’s use of the word “may.” The agency can now take the following emergency actions: 1) issue emergency permits for water; 2) approve temporary transfers of water rights; 3) provide funding assistance to public agencies to alleviate drought conditions; and 4) take other actions depending on future developments. Right now, no specific action is being taken to address emergency water supply in the Nooksack basin, Marti said. “A drought declaration gives us the authority to do what is possible should it become necessary. As conditions continue

Whatcom eligible for EQIP help on greenhouse gases SPOKANE — Whatcom is one of 12 Washington counties eligible for funding and technical assistance to improve air quality, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced April 30. Specifically, Whatcom is eligible on greenhouse gases, in contrast to particulate matter in a number of eastern Washington counties. NRCS will make assistance available through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) National Air Quality Initiative. This initiative will provide producers with program support to address air quality concerns related to particulate matter and greenhouse gases. “This initiative is designed to help producers meet air quality compliance requirements, as well as an opportunity to put into place conservation practices that address impacts associated with particulate matter and greenhouse gases,” said Jeff Harlow, assistant state conservationist for programs. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Sources of greenhouse gas may include practices from traditional agricultural productions such as natural animal digestive processes, on-farm vehicle combustion, fertilizer use and tillage. Producers who qualify can receive assistance for implementing conservation systems and practices to help reduce particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions such as no-till, windbreaks, cover crops, nutrient management and more. For an extensive list of practices offered for this initiative, view the Washington State NRCS website. Eligible counties for greenhouse gases are Adams, Franklin, Grant, Yakima, Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish. NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. All applications for fund-

to become more challenging, we will be prepared to assist,” he said. Could ample rainfall from now on through the summer alleviate the situation? It might help crops, but the passing storm doesn’t do much in terms of raising streamflow, Marti said. “The summer climate outlook is for warmer, drier conditions, which is going to add to the insult from the low snowpack. We don’t foresee a summer where long periods of cooler, rainy weather come to the rescue,” he said. Apart from the low snowpack, western Washington has had pretty normal precipitation this year, and not all streams are dependent on snowmelt, so lowland streams may have about normal flow. On the other hand, the general recent trend is toward lower than normal precipitation, Marti noted. This is further rationale for the drought emergency declaration: Statewide snowpack conditions continued to worsen this spring. The statewide average was at 20 percent, far below the 40 percent of average present in 2005 when Washington State last experienced

ing consideration during this fiscal year must be received by June 1, 2015. To learn about EQIP and

a statewide drought. As of April 22, more than 70 percent of Washington State snow monitoring were at record lows. “In watershed originating on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, there is a high risk that fish populations will experience extreme low-flow conditions this year. Low flows mean that hatcheries will face a high likelihood of operational challenges ranging from warm water, disease management, and interruption of water supplies. Tributaries and small streams may drop to levels where stream channels become impassible to fish. Pools of water will become disconnected from other pools, isolating fish from other fish and increasing the risk of predation and harassment.” Nine of the newly listed river basins are in western Washington, including Lower Skagit-Samish and Upper Skagit, while four are in central Washington. Eleven river systems, or Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs), were declared to be in drought emergency in March. No action taken is supposed to impair or infringe upon the treaty reserved rights of Indian tribes.

other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/Get-

Started or your local USDA Service Center.

LYNDEN — The 27th annual Whatcom County Youth Fair was held April 10-11 at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. The two days were filled with educational events for 555 youths ages 6-18 years from 10 Washington counties. “Thanks to the community for their support. It was one of our best fairs — and no rain either!” said manager Chris Paul. These are the special award, trophy and rosette winners of the 2015 fair:

Rich Waldemar, Sr. Inspirational Award — Titus Ungersma, Lynden, and Taylor Slocum, Everson. Bob Veenstra Inspirational Award — Jaymee Graves, Oak Harbor, and Shelby Jones, Bellingham. Special Division Awards, judged and presented by Whatcom North County Rotary members — Dairy Division and Homemaking division. 4-H Livestock Judging Contest — Senior: Lacey Biemold, Everson. Intermediate: Mailia Linville, Blaine. Junior: Haley Biemold, Everson. Top Oral Reasons: Grace Douge, Lynden. Jay Paul Memorial Scholarships for $500 each — Tyler Eldred and Juan Gavette, both Lynden FFA students, for further education in an agriculture-related field. Mark Stap Memorial Scholarship for $200 — Katie Jo Conley, Mount Vernon, for help with her livestock project. Mark Stap Project Animal Grant — Alexis Kudsk, Blaine, to help purchase an animal project. Trophies and Rosettes were awarded in divisions as follows: Beef — Kaylee Knaus, Acme; Hunter Elenbaas, Lynden; Katie Beld, Everson; Taylor Mezo, Deming. Cavy — Gracelyn Zander, Deming; Gillian Ladner, Bellingham; Ella Radvany, Bellingham; Melia Holsather, Lynden. Chess — Cael Button, Blaine; Steven Wilson, Bellingham. Country Crafts/Horticulture — Darmon Ghanbari, Bellingham; Samantha Lunde, Blaine; Suzanne Moles, Bellingham; Emily Otero, Blaine. Dairy — Novice 1: Tabitha DeJong, Lynden; Josh Holtcamp, Sedro-Woolley. Novice 2: Laurin England, Custer; Cora Floyd, Ferndale. Novice 3: Emily Schneider, Bellingham; Payton Elenbaas, Lynden. Class 4: Jessica Hearn, Lacey; Jacob Tolsma, Lynden. Class 5: Rick Heslinga, Duvall; Michael Bareman, Lynden. Class

6: Caleb Bareman, Lynden; Taryn Abercrombie, Lynden. Class 7: Lillian Nienhuis, Lynden; Leah Galusho, Snohomish. Best of Show: “Lagerway of Autumn Elsa” Jersey shown by Alexis Neil, Bellingham. Dogs — Brooke Sager, Maple Falls; Sunny Stiles, Bellingham; Walker DeWaard, Lynden; Cade Bennett, Lynden; Samara Byma, Ferndale; Raeghan Cobb, Blaine; JJ Kalsbeek, Maple Falls; Taylor Neyhart, Sumas; Madealyn Olson, Maple Falls. Entrepreneurship — Miranda Hutchings, Blaine; Delara Ghanbari, Bellingham; Indy Pinney, Ferndale; Melia Holsather, Lynden. Horses, Herdsmanship — Good job all! Top Teen Leader — Kadesha Webster, Sedro-Woolley. Showmanship — Allison Stremler, Lynden; Hailey Wikstrom, Lake Stevens; Nate Collins, Ferndale; Evi Ruyle, Sedro-Woolley; Dausha Leghorn, Blaine; Team of Allison Stremler, Lynden, and Cailyn Likkel, Everson, and top teen leaders Rachael Beebee, Sarah Zanda, Emma Mckay, Gemma Wilson and Tory Powell. Lawn Mower Pulling and Jay Paul Inspirational Trophy — Zachary Sweitzer, Ferndale. Photography — Katie Hoefakker, Blaine; Faith Harrison, Lynden; Amica Hamilton, Ferndale. Posters and Educational Displays — Joanna Seelye, Sequim; Kazia Park, Bellingham; Jill Adolphson, Port Angeles; Hannah Thomas, Bellingham; Sarah Bertapelle, Snohomish. Poultry — Aurelio Farias, Maple Falls; Gwen Berglund, Bellingham; Tasya Farias, Maple Falls; Evelyn Moreau, Ferndale; Gabriel Armacost, Moses Lake; Dakota Lahr, Ferndale; Jamie Oman, Bellingham. Rabbits – Emily Heinrichs, Ferndale; Hillary Apps, Lynden; Ella Archer, Ferndale; Becky Thompson, Bellingham; Melissa Kelly, Ferndale; Kendra Pham, Bellingham; Victoria Shanaham, Everson; McKenzie Pham, Bellingham. Rodeo — Abby Mangum, Bellingham; Dawson VanDalen, Lynden; Micah Jardinski, Lynden; Caleb Kingma, Everson; Zaccheaus Price, Everson. Round Robin — Overall Winner: Kylee Myhre, Lynden. Sheep — Kayden Mcgary, Ferndale; Claire Hume, Blaine; Anwyn Thompson, East Sound; Miette Woolworth, East Sound. Swine — Aaron Slocum, Everson; Destiny Dunlop, Nooksack; Erik Slocum, Everson. Cats, Homemaking, Goats and Woolcrafts not available at press time.

Your New Northwest Cadman Dealer

G�� S��! B�� . P�� D�� – CALL 366-5239 M-F�� 7-4 | S�� 8-1 ��.P��P��.�� FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE • FINE LOCAL CRAFTS • READY TO EAT FOOD

SATURDAY, 10AM TO 3PM, APRIL - DECEMBER DEPOT MARKET SQUARE, 1100 RAILROAD AVE, BELLINGHAM, WA

WEDNESDAY, 12 TO 5PM, JUNE - SEPTEMBER FAIRHAVEN VILLAGE GREEN, 1207 10TH STREET, FAIRHAVEN

got cows? CALL TODAY! FOR PRICES!

ut Check o ces! pri w o l r u o

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT TRAVELERS • POWER UNITS • PUMPS

Competitive prices on all grades of butcher cattle.

NEW!

Live internet auction service!

Stop by or call for Pick-up Open 5 Days a Week 9am-12pm

Albert: 220-8429

Used Farm Equipment www.tjequipmentllc.com Lynden • 360-815-1597

Country Life 4 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

In Bloom

Unique annuals for summer color By David Vos

As a gardener, I’m always looking for new and exciting plants. And I know I’m not alone — many gardeners I meet are constantly on the lookout for what’s different and exciting. With spring now well underway and the planting season for flowers upon us, here are a few of my favorite unique annuals to enjoy all summer long. The first of my favorite plants is a climber, ideal for pots situated in front of a post or trellis. Thunbergia, commonly referred to as blackeyed Susan vine, is a gorgeous climbing annual that no garden should be without. Having grown it on my own patio, I’ve seen how this vine climbs vigorously and blooms heavily all summer long and well into fall. Last year, even after the rest of the plants in my pots started looking tired, my black-eyed Susan vines were continuing to look great — and that was in early November. Most commonly found with bright yellow or orange blooms, thunbergia’s only resemblance to a black-eyed Susan is its color; the flowers themselves actually look more like a petunia. With no deadheading needed and a six-month blooming season, the black-eyed Susan vine deserves a spot in your containers. My second favorite annual is an entire species rather than a single plant. With so many new introductions over the last five years, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but if you haven’t looked at coleus lately, look again. Traditionally considered a shade-lover, today’s varieties of coleus are much more versatile, with many varieties now well-suited for sun or shade. Depending on the variety you choose, coleus may grow as tall as four feet, so choose a plant that will fit with the size of your container. Available in shades of pink, orange, green, yellow, red and near-black, coleus works well with any color scheme and can provide a much-needed neutral backdrop for the other flowers in your pots or beds. The third new plant I’m excited about is (I realize I’m cheating) actually two relatively new types of verbena, namely Twister Red and Twist-

Plowing Match this Saturday LYNDEN — The International Plowing Match, a local tradition of powerful draft horses in action, will take place on Saturday, May 16, starting at 11 a.m., in Berthusen Park. Take West Badger Road to the west side of the park. There is no admission charge. This is a plowing match history written in part by Elvina Magill Verduin, married to multiple winner Cornie Verduin, who with Jack Elliott and Fred K. Polinder helped start the plowing match tradition back in 1942: One spring day in 1942 as Cornie and Jack were driving through the country and admiring the freshly plowed fields, one of them said, “Let’s have a plowing match.” Not knowing how to go about such an enterprise, they took a jaunt to Chilliwack, B.C., where a plowing contest was well established. The Canadian Plowing Society members willingly gave them valuable assistance in organization, classes, rules, scoring and judging. A Canadian plow person even came down to Lynden to assist with the first match, which was a decided success in both displaying skills of the plow person and attendance of spectators. Thus began the first allhorse plowing match in the United States. They named it the International Plowing Match because Canadians continued to participate each year (in a special Canadian class because their plows are very different from the stan-

Bosch fights county crimp on his Glen Echo Garden historic site Y Road botanical creation could be a busy tourist attraction as he planned, he says By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

WHATCOM — This should be the time of year Dick Bosch is planning for a new season at his Glen Echo Garden,

promoting it to be all he has dreamed it could be as a regional tourist destination and a local special-events venue. Bosch, 76, has worked in various ways across the years on the property that he and his wife, Jennie, bought in the 1970s off Y Road east of Bellingham. Retiring from professional landscaping in 2006, he was eager to finish creating today’s sunken seven-acre themed botanical garden near Anderson Creek. Amid towering cedars are walkways, benches, unique trees and shrubs, and over 20,000 annuals planted each year. Bosch wanted

to make it “the most wonderful tourist attraction north of Seattle.” Instead, he ran into a bind. He is bound by the terms of a Whatcom County hearing examiner’s decision — drawn out from 2009 and finalized in 2012 — that, according to Bosch, puts “needless and senseless restrictions” on his operation. Glen Echo Garden continues to be open daily to the public, at a $9.50 charge per adult. But it cannot ordinarily have hours past 5 p.m., cannot take groups of See Echo on CL5

A winning team er Purple. Trailing verbena is a great ingredient for any mixed container of flowers and the Twister varieties are no exception. Both varieties boast two-tone flowers, the center of each flower head being a rich shade of red or purple and the outer ring of flowers tones of pale pink or lavender, respectively. Twister verbenas are dramatic on their own, but combined with other flowers they really shine. For all of these flowers and the rest of the annuals and hanging baskets you plant (or received for Mother’s Day), they’ll bloom all summer long and well into fall, but only with proper care. In order to look their best, water your pots and baskets daily until water starts to drip out the bottom of the pot. If you miss a day or discover your pots wilted and overly dry, water twice with a five minute break between watering to allow the soil to start to swell and soak up water once again. Annuals are hungry plants, so don’t forget to fertilize once a week with a highquality water-soluble fertilizer like Jack’s Classic. This time of year, it’s most important to provide a balanced blend of nutrients such as an all-purpose 20-20-20 mix, but you’ll achieve the best results by alternating with a blossomboosting 10-30-20 blend. This combination of fertilizers will keep your plants growing strong and keep flowers blooming even through cool, wet June days and the heat of July and August. As you spend more time outside this spring and get underway with planting flowers, don’t be afraid to try something new. Who knows? You might find a new musthave flower for your garden. David Vos is the general manager of VanderGiessen Nursery in Lynden.

dard American plow). The first of several interested plowmen paid the expenses, which were minimal, even for those times. After the first year, different moneymaking ideas were tried, the most successful being a pancake breakfast. The “Pancake Day” became well-established as a Lynden area spring traditional “get-together” where there was music and entertainment along with the pancakes, ham, etc.

The Lynden Christian FFA Mechanics Team placed second in state in April competition. From left are: team members Jack Roosma, Nathan Van Dellen (16th individual), Kolton Korthuis (10th), Patrick Kelly (first), Jake Van Berkum (third) and coach Gerrit P. Van Weerdhuizen. (Courtesy photo/Lynden Tribune)

Feed with Jack’s Classic!

MARKET1

• All Purpose for balanced growth • Blossom Booster for increased

• 966-3271

w w w. e v e r s o n a u c t i o n m a r ke t . c o m

NEXT FEEDER SALE Saturday, June 13th 12:30 pm

ﬂowering

• Petunia Feed for iron-hungry plants • (360)

LLC

7 2 9 1 E v e r s o n G o s h e n R o a d • E v e r s o n , WA 9 8 2 4 7

354-3097

Shop Local Support your community. Shop our local business.

EVERY MONDAY EVERY WEDNESDAY 12:30pm 1:00pm Cull Cattle, Small Animals & Poultry General Livestock Sale Your Consignments Are Appreciated! FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR TRUCKING CALL: Barn: 360-966-3271 Pete: 360-815-0318 • Terry: 360-815-4897

Please Recycle this Paper.

Full Bloom Farm Organically-Grown Peonies Cut Stems and Root Divisions

Use a lender that understands your unique needs.

• Appraisal • Farms and Ranches • Crop Insurance • Operating Lines of Credit • Country Home and Bare Lot Loans • Equipment Financing

Open Garden Memorial Day Weekend May 23 & 24, Saturday and Sunday 10-5 www.fullbloomfarmpeonies.com

From the ground up - and everything in between!

Got spring fever?

We’ve got the cure!

800.548.2699 | farm-credit.com

(360) 354-4763 LYNDEN

5428 Northwest Road, Bellingham, WA 98226 Phone: 360-384-4433 Fax: 360-380-6228

1546 Slater Rd., Ferndale, WA, 98248

Kendall’s Tree Service, LLC

Tree Trimming & Removal . Stump Grinding Chipping & Hauling . Bucket Trucks Tree Replacement Available All Debris Recycled

40 Years

Greg Kendall

17 Years Experience

360-366-5340

Hannegan Seafoods 6069 Hannegan Road, Bellingham

of providing you the BEST service!

Residential & Commercial • Commercial Site Prep • Trucks for Hire • Utility Work • Demolition • • Driveways • Landscape Rock • Gravel • www.honcoop.com

Medium and Fine Bark, Sawdust Shavings and Hog Fuel 360-384-5487 • 360-734-8818

LENHOGI 12809

fresh and frozen seafood.

360-398-0442

Cascade Blueberry Farm 2667 Willeys Lake Rd., Custer • 360-366-5188 kamaddux@hotmail.com • Kevin & Bianca Maddux Agritourism, Farmers Market, Farm Stand, Phone Orders WholesaleFamily owned and operated since 1985. Farm stand open 10am to 6pm, seven days a week, May 1st to October 1st. Veggie starts, petunia hanging baskets, vegetables and blueberries available in season. (Blueberries available in July)

Country Life 5 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

Echo: Gardens created from old forest site Continued from CL4 more than 20, and cannot have amplified sound — even of the rare Romanian pan flute Dick likes to play. He can host up to 20 evening events May through September involving up to 100 people each, but only one such event per weekend and on those days no other daytime visitors are allowed. Bosch may hire no more than four non-family employ-

jobs,” he says in a statement seeking support. Most of his neighbors were happy with his plans, Bosch says. Just one was not, complaining about the sound of wedding music 900 feet away through a buffer of trees and the light coming from a greenhouse six to eight weeks each spring. (The greenhouse issue was later corrected.) But county planners recommended, and Hearing Examiner Michael Bobbink went

Dick Bosch has worked for decades developing, and now continuing to keep up, his Glen Echo Garden open to the public off Y Road. He can host up to 20 large events per season, but he would welcome many more visitors to his botanical creation. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

ees for the business and he may erect just one non-lighted sign up to six feet high visible from the road. The way Bosch sees it, no other botanical garden, amusement park or athletic facility he knows of operates under such restrictions. “We have a potential of having in excess of 100,000 visitors come through the gardens and a potential of many good

Getting your print pieces to you clients is easier than you would think...

along with, the tighter restrictions on Glen Echo Garden. Bobbink’s ruling calls Bosch’s botanical gardens on the property legal but nonconforming. That means conditions can be placed upon the use — the very job of a hearing examiner. In response, says Bosch, if it is the original removal of some trees in the deep ravine that allegedly puts Glen Echo

01 CALL

Call our experienced sales representatives and share your ideas and goals with them and get your project rolling.

DESIGN

PREPARE

Wo r k w i t h o u r talented design team to creatively convey your message to your clients.

Our binder y crew takes care of putting the finishing touches on your project.

in violation, “I have letters to prove this land was cleared way back.” Among his many angles of protest against the county — including the two-andhalf-year delay on his application and what feels like bias against a job-creating business — Bosch finds it extra frustrating that county Planning and Development Services did not come out to the property and investigate complaints made by a neighbor, especially on noise. Any sound from the still heavily wooded ravine is muted to under 55 decibels to any neighbors, he claims. At first, no amplified sound was allowed at all in Glen Echo Garden. Bosch’s number of weddings per summer dropped to two. “Since sound does not carry well outdoors and our audiences are mostly elderly people with hearing disabilities, a sound system is a necessity,” he wrote. At a legal cost of $7,500,

03 PRINT

Let our expert press operators print your project to meet your expectatio ns and desires.

Bosch tried in 2013 — with a batch of attesting letters from family and friends plus a petition signed by hundreds, including some from British Columbia — to get County Executive Jack Louws involved in changing the Bobbink decision. Louws answered in an email that while he considers Glen Echo a beautiful site and he wants it to be successful, county land use laws identify the conditional-use permit process for operating a business lawfully. “The Council makes the laws, the Administration enforces them (that is my executive responsibility to oversee) ... While I personally think the conditions are restrictive, I will not bend the law (conditions) to accommodate my personal opinion,” Louws wrote. Bosch says that this year, while he is trying to get his al-

lowed 20 large-event reservations, he knows that he could do so much more with Glen Echo Garden and he wants to bring the restriction issues he faces to a head. He is willing to play his pan flute on the County Courthouse steps if that will bring attention to his and others’ plight, he said. “We have made a beautiful Whatcom County tourist attraction, and we are being punished,” Bosch said. “We want the public to know what is going on here, because this is becoming a widespread problem.” “We feel that we are so severely constrained that we may not be able to remain in business,” Dick and Jennie say in a written statement that summarizes their claims. “We’re talking about businesses going out of business, and that’s a serious problem,” Dick said.

SELLING TRACTOR IN THE WORLD!

DESIGN PRINT MA I L

It’s that easy...

ARRIVE

Your project arrives in the mailboxes of all your targeted audiences, on time and on budget.

MAIL

We prepare your project for the mail and work directly with the Post Office to deliver your project on time.

Bosch appealed to the County Council and gained back one hour of amplified sound per wedding. The hearing examiner allowed a three-acre expansion of Glen Echo Garden. But maintaining 10 acres will require more than the four employees he is allowed, Bosch says, so he is not going ahead with the expansion. He believes that some very interesting local history and horticulture can be taught on the premises. In the early 1900s this site was home to the Glen Echo Coal Company, in operation until a 1933 fatal mine explosion, and also a Gooding Lumber & Shingle Mill whose remnants have been put into a small display. Fifteen large cedar stumps show the method of cutting down old-growth 800-year trees — and new trees are now growing out of those stumps.

A Division of The Lynden Tribune

360.354.4444

113 6th St • Lynden WA 98264

www.lyndenprintco.com

Custom Baling & Hay Sales

Save on 3016 Shuttle with ML115 Loader. 3-cyl Mitsubishi diesel, 28hp, 4x4 Loader lift capacity of 1,650lbs.

with the Johnston Family

39451 No. 3 Rd., Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada handlersequipment.com

SPECIAL CASH

PRICING

604-850-3601

$1.00 OFF/Bale

for 1st time customers! Call Peter at 815-1687

Western Pumping & Excavating | 1427 West Badger Rd., Lynden

oe J l l a C

17,500

225 ext.

USD

while quantities last!

Country Life 6 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

OPEN HOUSE Sat. May 30 • 10AM -1PM 410 19th Street • Lynden, WA • Live Remote with KGMI’s Dillon Honcoop! • Branson Tractor Rodeo! • FREE FOOD! • Door Prizes!

1977 Kevin Pawlowski CFO

Ken Stremler President

Bill Harvey MH Salesman

Mark Visser Sales Manager

2015 Junior Stacey Aftermarket Manager

Doug Honcoop Fabricator

Michael Kooi CE Technician

Cal Vandenhoek Fabricator

Jason Pritchard Water Specialist

Larry Eshuis Partsman

Rob Bethke MH Technician

Steve Schuyleman MH Technician

Dwayne Molendyk Parts Salesman

Fred Polinder AG Salesman

Curtis Smith AG Technician

Ray Terwisscha Partsman

Kevin Timmer Rental Mngr/Dispatcher

Hank Vossbeck Service Manager

Lisa Galoia Accounting Admin

Jed Scheffer Shipping/Receiving

Jack Bosman Yardboss

Ray Kortus Partsman

Marty Sandoval Controller

Kenneth Sturtz AG Salesman

Bennett Tjoelker AG Technician

Howard Nunnikhoven AG Salesman

John Ingham Pump Tech/Electrician

Sarah Daggett Sales Coordinator

David Heutink Mobilization Specialist

Paul Houweling Service Writer

Kurtis Vossbeck AG Technician

Diane Hack Asst. Controller/HR

Landon Pietroski AG Technician

Cecil Robinson Partsman

Tony Rossi Marketing

Kenneth Westover Parts Manager

Bill Vandersys Pump Tech/Electrician

Jacqui Huggins Accounting Admin

Kacee McVickers Service Writer

Johnny Anker AG Technician

Photo not available

Zachary Woodyard Yardman

1935

2015

John Van Wingerden MH Technician

Nicholas Vander Ploeg Partsman

410 19th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.FarmersEquip.com

360-354-4451