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A8 • Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Blueberries in production surge in state, county Small Fruit Conference is wide-ranging update on many grower issues By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
WHATCOM — Blueberries are in such a growth pattern in Washington State that the challenge may be where to go with all the production. Acres planted in Whatcom County are estimated at 7,000, leading among the more than 18,000 acres statewide, said Alan Schreiber, administrator of the Washington Blueberry Commission, in Lynden on Nov. 30. The overall 2016 harvest, soon to be finalized, is likely to come in at around 120 million pounds, six times what it was 10 years ago, he said. He expects Whatcom’s 2016 production to be around 48 million pounds Schreiber was one presenter in the well-attended Small Fruit Conference and Lynden Ag Show occupying Washington Tractor Arena on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds from Wednesday through noon Friday, Dec. 2. The annual event draws attendees from across the spectrum of those involved in all aspects of the berry growing industry locally. It’s an opportunity to catch up on all that can be reported on the state of the regional berry industries including promotion, research, hands-on practices, pesticides, land management and technology. Blueberries are rising in Whatcom County to the point that tonnage could eclipse what has long been the domi-
nant berry crop, red raspberries. While the raspberry continues to find new fans of its distinct color and flavor, the blueberry has ridden a tide of worldwide acclaim for its healthful qualities over the past decade. Schreiber, speaking to his growers’ commission meeting on Wednesday, estimated that full production from blueberry plantings already in the ground could push Washington past 200 million pounds in a few years. About three-fourths of blueberries and nearly all of raspberries produced in the Northwest end up being processed to be ingredients in other foods, not for fresh eating. At the annual meeting of the Washington Red Raspberry Commission on Thursday, it was reported that this year’s record harvest of 78 million pounds — after a much lower 52.8 million in 2015 — will allow a $405,000 budget for next year. Over half of that amount goes to horticultural research projects to help growers. The promotion of raspberries to consumers has been taken over by the National Processed Raspberry Council, which began in 2013. (see below) In general sessions of the Small Fruit Conference: • Two representatives of the Washington State Patrol got very specific about weight limits and the proper securing of loads of berries when being transported on public roads. • Derek Sandison, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture since June 2015, spoke to various issues of concern to Whatcom farmers. He said he
Informational sessions of all types were a key part of the Small Fruit Conference Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 in Lynden. Also, berry-related equipment was on display in the concurrent Lynden Ag Show in Washington Tractor Arena. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com • A9
Conference: Friday session Mt. Baker Rotary wins national ag teachers’ award covered water rights
The U.S. National Processed Raspberry Council, made up of both producers and importers, met two weeks ago in the Jansen Art Center of Lynden. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
Continued from A8 processes to get to solutions. In particular, on competition for water rights and water supply for agriculture, Sandison favors “growing the supply pie” so there is enough water for all users rather than “bucket-for-bucket mitigation.” He hopes for some legislative fixes in the 2017 state session. • Two from the firm of Bryant Christie updated on prospects for increased export of blueberries into Asian markets. Efforts in Pacific Rim countries have been under a contract with the Washington Blueberry Commission. The issue of maximum residue limits (MRLs) on imported fruit is a big factor determining access into many countries, with Korea and Taiwan being among the toughest and China being less stringent. The apparent failure of the Trans-Pacific Partnership,
with a Trump administration, means adverse effects upon trade with Japan and Vietnam, at least, said Matthew Lantz. Although Washington is well positioned to market into the Pacific region, a tariff or trade war would not be good, he said. • Sessions Friday morning covered many aspects of water rights and access issues for agriculture. The prevailing sentiment may have been voiced in the question of a millennial grower who, after hearing all the discussion, said he wants to be in farming, but is there enough certainty to commit his next 20 to 40 years to it? National Council Veteran Lynden berry grower John Clark was reelected to a third year chairing the council, which met Nov. 29-30 in the Jansen Center downtown.
Seven members of the National Processed Raspberry Council are from the United States and five from importing countries, reflecting approximately the 57-to-43 ratio of domestic and foreign berries in the U.S. market. A budget of about $2.4 million in 2017 will continue to be spent on health studies and research, and market promotion of red raspberries. Tom Krugman is the executive director. Allison Beadle, marketing consultant with the council, spoke also at the Small Fruit Conference, enthusiastically praising the red raspberry and the response to it she often gets in taste tests at trade shows. “Your head explodes, they are so amazingly delicious,” she said. And food service people and health professionals are embracing what can be done with processed raspberries, from frozen to pureed.
Save Family Farming wins two awards Also, a director of development hired BURLINGTON — The organization leading the fight against What’s Upstream received awards from two major state farm organizations in November. First, the Washington State Dairy Federation presented Larry Stap, Save Family Farming president, and Gerald Baron, executive director, its President’s Award at the annual meeting dinner in Ellensburg on Nov. 7. The award was presented by Chris Sybrandy, Skagit County dairy farmer and president of the state dairy group. That was followed by a presentation of the President’s Award by Mike LaPlant, president of the Washington Farm Bureau. Baron received the award on behalf of president Larry Stap and over 40 farmers and farm leaders serving as an advisory board for the new farm advocacy group. LaPlant said it was unusual for the Farm Bureau to offer such recognition, but the attack by What’s Upstream sponsors and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
support of this effort required an aggressive response provided by Save Family Farming. Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison also briefly spoke, noting the What’s Upstream campaign and the response of the farm community to this threat. Speaking for the Dairy Federation award, executive director Dan Wood stated, ”We’re grateful that this group of farmers and farm leaders stepped up and took on this issue head-on. It’s important that all those involved, including the EPA and our elected representatives, know that our farmers support and encourage this kind of vigorous response to these anti-farm attacks and particularly our own government’s involvement in it.” Tom Davis, director of government relations for the Washington Farm Bureau, echoed Wood’s comments. “We appreciate the work of Save Family Farming to expose the efforts of a few extreme individuals, with the blessing of key EPA officials, who used federal tax dollars to falsely accuse family farmers and to illegally lobby legislators. The
battle to shut down the What’s Upstream campaign is a perfect example of why all farmers and farm organizations must work together to help the voting public better understand how farmers protect the environment. Save Family Farming is one important part of that effort.” Bill Hinkle, a former state legislator now executive director for development for Save Family Farming, noted the importance of these awards for continuing the What’s Upstream response as well as meeting further challenges from anti-farm groups. “Save Family Farming is bringing something new to these public battles and something that is very much needed in the farm community,” Hinkle said. “The future of farming will be decided in the public arena and for too long those attacking farming with their distortions have had their say with too little response. We are working to change that.” Hinkle served ten years in the Washington State Legislature representing Kittitas County, including as Republican minority whip.
The Mt. Baker Rotary Club of Lynden won the Outstanding Cooperation Award for its district from the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Erik Vanerstrom, Mt. Baker representative, is pictured second from left. (Courtesy photo)
Club honored for local role aiding FFA, 4-H needs LAS VEGAS — The Mt. Baker Rotary Club based in Lynden received an Outstanding Cooperation award at the annual convention of the National Association of Agricultural Educators in Las Vegas on Dec. 2. The award recognizes organizations, agribusiness companies, administrators and others who have given notable support to agricultural education programs. “We didn’t even know we were nominated. It came kind of as a surprise to us,” said Loren Vander Yacht, current Rotary club president. It turned out that Rhonda Juergens, FFA program director at Nooksack Valley High School, had taken the initiative to make the nomination. Since its founding, the local Rotary club has supported agriculture in Whatcom County, especially through youth programs including 4-H and FFA. It was instrumental in building vo-ag/FFA barn facilities at both Lynden and Meridian high schools where students can house their livestock projects. It also recently donated to support building
Conservation District will have a board position election in 2017 LYNDEN — An election for one seat on the Whatcom Conservation District board of supervisors will be on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in the district office at 6975 Hannegan Rd. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All registered voters residing within Whatcom County may vote in person at that date, place and time or by mail. Mail-in ballots are only available upon request, which
a new barn facility for Mount Baker High School. Mt. Baker Rotary has provided substantial funds to high school agriculture programs to purchase new equipment or to bid on items at local FFA auctions, and it provides $40,000 in scholarships to qualifying Whatcom County graduating high school seniors. The schools with FFA programs served are Lynden, Lynden Christian, Meridian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley, Vander Yacht said. Upon discovering that many students in FFA chapters around Whatcom County cannot afford FFA jackets or show animals, the club prepared a video to showcase the needs of local FFA programs. This video had substantial student and teacher input and highlighted student projects as well as the skills students learn in agriculture classes. The video, while using specific examples from Whatcom County, is applicable to many FFA chapters and communities around the nation. It is available for promotional purposes for students, teachers and community members interested in being involved in agricultural education, an NAAE press release stated. The somewhat hidden
needs within FFA chapters became the cause that 201516 Rotary president Erik Vanerstrom boosted with his “paddle raise” at the auction to start his term, and it raised $35,000 to be divided up, Vander Yacht noted. While praised in the community with many awards, Mt. Baker Rotary remains driven by a sense of duty to serve others. The NAAE says that the club embodies its “service above self” motto by such dedication and passion on behalf of local agriculture programs, showing that agriculture is the root of the community and staying devoted to its future success. Five regional Outstanding Cooperation awards were given out by NAAE. Forrest T. Jones & Company sponsors the plaques for the award. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. The NAAE office is in Lexington, Kentucky. Mt. Baker Rotary does go beyond youth, schools and agriculture with its help, however. It is international. Vander Yacht said a 50th well has been dug in Nigeria and there is a long history of supporting an orthopedic hospital in Nepal. — Calvin Bratt
must be made by 4 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2017. Decisions on this election were made at the Nov. 10 board meeting. Candidates are sought. Conservation District supervisors, serving without compensation, set policy and direction for the district. Conservation districts are specially chartered in the state of Washington to develop and implement programs to protect and conserve soil, water, prime and unique farmland, rangeland, woodland, wildlife, energy and other renewable resources on non-federal lands. Candidates for the board must be registered voters re-
siding in Whatcom County and may be required to own land or operate a farm. The filing deadline is Jan. 27, 2017 at 4 p.m. Use Form PF-A to be a candidate; use Form PF-B to nominate someone. The board currently meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The position of member Daniel Heeringa, a Sumas dairy farmer, is up for election, and he is able to run again. For more information regarding elections, serving on the board or candidate filing, contact Dawn Bekenyi at wcd@whatcomcd.org or call 526-2381 ext. 101. Go online to http://www.whatcomcd. org.
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A10 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com • Wednesday, December 14, 2016
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Benchmark milk price Caring for plants in harsh winter conditions jumps $1.94/cwt. The Agriculture Department announced the November Federal Order benchmark Class III milk price at $16.76 per hundredweight (cwt.), up $1.94 from October and $1.46 above November 2015. It equates to about $1.44 per gallon, up from $1.27 in October and $1.32 a year ago. The 11-month Class III average stands at $14.64, down from $15.92 a year ago and from $22.75 in 2014. The Class IV price is $13.76, up a dime from October but $3.13 below a year ago. This is the lowest November Class IV price since 2009. California’s comparable 4b cheese milk price is $17.45 per cwt., up $3.02 from October and $3.02 above a year ago. It is the highest 4b price since November 2014. It’s also 69 cents above the FO Class III price for the first time since December 2009. The 2016 4b average stands at $14.06, down from $14.61 a year ago and $20.40 in 2014. Cash cheese prices started December mixed. Block Cheddar dipped to $1.76 per pound Nov. 30, but rallied and closed Dec. 2 at $1.81,
still a nickel lower on the week but 29.25 cents above a year ago. The barrels closed at $1.6150, down 7.5 cents on the week, 13 cents above a year ago and 19.5 cents below the blocks. Dairy Market News reports that Central cheese production is very active and processors are racing to meet committed holiday shipment deadlines. Western cheese makers also report solid demand from retail and food service. Cash butter jumped 5.25 cents Monday, Nov. 28, and did a 13-cent pole vault Wednesday only to give some back Thursday and Friday. It closed at $2.1850 per pound,
up 13.75 cents on the week but still 71.75 cents below a year ago. DMN says Central region butter output was very active Thanksgiving weekend. “Butter production remains strong in order to cover anticipated robust seasonal demand, driven by the year-end holiday.” Chicago Mercantile Exchange Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week $1.0075 per pound, up 10.25 cents, 20.75 cents above a year ago, and the highest spot price since Oct. 7, 2015. The Northwest Dairy Association made these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend Nov. $16.76 $15.10 (current) Dec. $17.10 $16.30 Jan. $16.60 $16.50 Feb. $16.80 $16.70 March $17.00 $16.80 April $17.00 $16.90 May $17.10 $17.00 June $17.20 $17.20 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly. Whatcom County has about 100 dairy farms.
EQIP funding again available for dairy nutrient management Next application deadline Feb. 17 SPOKANE — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington State will again make financial assistance available for Animal Feeding Operations and Confined Animal Feeding Operations (AFO/ CAFOs) through the popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program. EQIP is a voluntary Farm Bill program providing financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources. In most instances, program participants pay for roughly half of the costs of the conservation measures or practices. The program is especially popular with the dairy industry because of the financial assistance available for implementing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. In fiscal year 2017 (started October 2016), specific funding will be set aside in Washington State for implementing conservation practices identified in an applicant’s CNMP. Finan-
cial incentives to develop a CNMP will still be maintained as a priority for current EQIP funding as a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP 102). NRCS policy states that a CNMP must be prepared when the technical or financial assistance is provided to an AFO/CAFO to address manure or wastewater handling and storage. A CNMP targets resource concerns and focuses on improving soil erosion, water and air quality. Therefore, a CNMP must be developed before applying for funding for conservation practices that address any part of the waste management system. Although EQIP applications are accepted on a yearround basis, eligible producers and interested entities will have three cut-off dates to submit their applications for consideration for funding in fiscal year 2017. The first cut-off date of Nov. 18, 2016 has passed. The other two are Feb. 17 and April 21, 2017. “While EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous sign-up basis, if you are interested in applying for 2017 funding for a CNMP, you must submit your application at your local USDANRCS service center office by one of the three deadlines,” said Jeff Harlow, as-
sistant state conservationist. Each applicant must be established as a USDA customer and complete all Farm Service Agency eligibility requirements before the application cut-off date. Applicants who apply as entities must provide a DUNS number, be registered in the System for Award Management, and maintain an active registration with current information prior to applying for funding and to remain eligible for payments under a funded contract. For more information regarding SAM and DUNS or if interested in applying for EQIP funding, contact the local NRCS field office, in Whatcom County at 6975 Hannegan Rd. south of Lynden. To learn about technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www. nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or the local USDA service center.
In the last couple of years, we’ve come to associate winter in the Pacific Northwest with mild temperatures and minimal precipitation. This year is so far proving altogether different. Although we’re still a week away from winter’s official start, one look out your window will tell a completely different story. With the new season upon us, here are a few tips to keep your plants healthy and happy through a decidedly colder winter. First, cold temperatures can be particularly damaging to container plants. While prolonged cold temperatures can damage plants in the ground as well, those in pots and planters on your deck don’t have the benefit of the insulation offered by the ground, and they are therefore much more susceptible to their roots freezing. Now, this is not to say that any plants you’ve left out in the cold are toast. In fact, many conifers, perennials, shrubs and winter pansies in pots will bounce back just fine next spring. But if you know you’re growing something tender or are simply unsure, there are a couple of steps you can take to give your plants a little bit of protection. If you have the option of moving your containers indoors, bring them into an unheated space like a garage so that they continue to experience somewhat natural temperatures. If moving your plants into a garage isn’t feasible, choose a location on the south or west side of your
Country Partners 4-H Club staged a Nativity scene as part of the activities at the Fairway Center on Dec. 3. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
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home right up next to the house. Keeping your plants next to the house can offer slightly warmer conditions and the south and west sides will catch the benefit of the sun without the cold and drying northeast wind. For additional insulation for containers, wrap the pots in bubble wrap or burlap. To protect tender foliage, burlap or even garbage bags can be used to cover the top of your plants and offer some protection from wind, which is often as damaging as or worse than the cold itself. Just remember that plastic bags also create mini-greenhouses around your plants, so either open the bags on sunny days or cut some holes in them for ventilation. Second, snow can damage plants, especially if it falls in calm conditions. Like most people, I love the look of snow fallen in perfectly calm weather, piled up on tree branches and fenceposts like a Norman Rockwell painting. Unfortunately, that type of snow can also do damage to plants with
weak branches or lots of foliage that collects snow. While you’re outside shoveling snow this winter, be mindful of any shrubs or trees weighed down with a load of snow. “Emerald Green” arborvitae, commonly used in hedges, are one example of a shrub to watch. Although they’re resistant to snow damage, occasionally a branch will bend out under the weight of snow. Catch it early, shake off the snow and the branch will be fine. Left unchecked, though, the branch may get bruised or break, causing unsightly and otherwise preventable damage. Finally, plants can dry out, even in winter. Yes, you read that right! While winter affords gardeners a break from most of our tasks, if you have anything growing in pots on a front porch or otherwise under the eaves of your house, you can’t count on rain — or snow — to take care of the watering for you. To be fair, plants may only need to be watered twice a month in winter, but that pot of winter pansies on your front porch won’t wait for you to think about it again next spring. So be sure to water occasionally. The austerity of winter brings with it both a unique beauty and set of challenges for gardening. Enjoy the refreshing change of a new season, and from my family to yours, have a blessed Christmas. David Vos is general manager of VanderGiessen Nursery of Lynden.
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