Country Life Wednesday, February 13, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • ferndalerecord.com
Small Farm Expo coming up March 9 At fairgrounds, it offers help in the diversity of local farming WHATCOM — The fourth annual free Small Farm Expo will be held on Saturday, March 9, at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are many reasons to check this out — whether you already operate a small farm and are looking for new ideas or markets, growing your own food, or thinking of starting a small farm, or are making the transition from hobby to business. Designed to be an informal meet-and-greet and networking event, visitors will find opportunities at the Small Farm Expo to engage with successful farmers, meat processing cooperatives, and market resources for local growers. Discover new resources to improve and expand productivity, animal health, pasture quality and homesteading happiness. More than 35 different organizations are lined up to be represented. These include tractor suppliers, agronomists, veterinarians, butchers, master composters, solar providers and financial resources for farmers. Also, there will be presentations on the half hour with a special keynote speaker from noon to 1 p.m. Refreshments and lunch will be available for purchase. The keynote address of Rebecca Thistlethwaite at noon is “Meat the Future: Successful Models in Animal
Agriculture.” The challenges to livestock and poultry production are numerous: shifting consumer preferences, trade wars, regulations, activists, climate change, rising input costs, and the list goes on. Farmers and scientists are coming to understand the myriad of benefits that domesticated animals can provide a farm and economy, and be an ecosystem of benefits as well. Thistlethwaite will share some successful models and key best practices for deriving the most benefits from animal agriculture. These will include production practices, processing, aggregating and selling animal products. That takes in from meat to milk, eggs to hides and fiber, with a focus on pasture-based and regenerative models. Thistlethwaite is the author of “Farms with a Future” and “The New Livestock Farmer.” She works as the program manager of the eXtension community of practice Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network. She runs Sustain Consulting, specializing in food and farm issues, and also operates a small farm and a community farm stand in Oregon with her husband and coauthor, Jim Dunlop, and their daughter, Fiona. Check out her website at http://rebeccathistlethwaite.com. This free open event is hosted by the Whatcom Conservation District and Whatcom County Public Works. Check out the website or event Facebook Page “Small Farm Expo” for updates.
Dairy • A9 Gardening • A9 FFA • A10
Edaleen now in Fairhaven too Ice cream shop will increase summer hours WHATCOM — The Fairhaven community can join the chorus of “We all scream for ice cream!” when Edaleen Dairy opens its sixth Whatcom County shop there Thursday, Feb. 14. Edaleen Dairy will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fairhaven Village Inn building at 1200 10th Suite #104. Hours will expand as summer approaches. The Fairhaven store will rotate 24 flavors of its hard ice cream from more than 40 varieties that Edaleen Dairy creates, all from milk produced at the farm north of Lynden. “The farm is less than two miles from the processing plant, and not many ice cream companies can transform milk into ice cream within 20-24 hours of leaving the cow,” said Mitch Moorlag, general manager of Edaleen Dairy. “It’s what makes us special and so amazingly fresh.” Edaleen Dairy also will offer soft-serve ice cream, cones (waffle cones made
Edaleen Dairy employee Amanda Heystek scoops up an ice cream cone. (Photo courtesy of Edaleen Dairy)
in-house), sundaes, icecream cakes, milk and Ellenos Greek yogurt made from the farm’s milk. Seating is available. “We feel the vibrancy of this Fairhaven location, across from the Village Green and at the beginning of the South Bay Trail
to Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park, is a great fit for this new style of Edaleen Dairy store that has a stronger emphasis on ice cream,” Moorlag said. “Our affordable treats are enjoyed by families and people of all ages.” Edaleen Dairy, found-
ed in 1975 and selling ice cream since 1982, also has stores in Lynden (two), Ferndale, Blaine and Sumas. For more information, call 360-220-9833 or visit www.EdaleenDairy.com.
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Wednesday, February 13, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • A9
Forget winter — think gardening Gardening? In this weather? I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right — at 20 degrees, with frozen ground and blowing snow, we’re a far cry from the early spring we were expecting as recently as two weeks ago. Later this month, though, as the temperatures begin to warm, it will be time to assess the damage, replant pots for early spring and get back to gardening. So here are some tips to save for warmer weather. First, let me point out one definite upside to all the cold weather we’ve been having lately: fewer insects. With the mild winter we experienced through January, I was concerned about the number of insects, slugs and snails that would undoubtedly survive the winter. Days — or what may be weeks — of cold temperatures struggling to break the freezing point will certainly help kill many of the eggs and overwintering larvae of aphids, thrips, budworms, slugs and snails. Second, once the mercury climbs above freezing, take some time to water plants in any beds that haven’t been covered with a layer of snow. Many broadleaf evergreens like rhododendrons deliberately curl or droop their leaves in cold weather to minimize moisture loss and prevent damage. Once the weather
warms up, they will automatically perk up. Depending on how much snow sticks to the ground in your yard — or how much rain follows the cold — it is a good idea to water your leafy evergreens to help replenish their moisture levels. Don’t worry if the ground is still partially frozen; after the amount of wind we had over the weekend, the soil is very dry, so even slowly-melting ice in the ground will be a balm to winter-weary roots. Third, after your blocks of ice — I mean pots — begin to thaw, take stock of the damage and replant as necessary. Potted plants are naturally more at risk of winter damage since their roots are contained in an aboveground container, leaving them unable to root deeper than the frost. Once the soil thaws, pull out any dead or unsalvageable plants and tuck in fresh primroses and pansies for a pop of spring color. Or if you plan to add any shrubs or evergreen perennials like hellebores to your landscape later in the spring or summer, enjoy them in your pots for early spring and transplant them to the garden once you’re ready to plant your summer flowers. Fourth, it will soon be time to do your early spring pruning. With the drastic change in weather, it’s
almost comical to think I considered pruning my roses back in January, worried I might get behind with my early spring tasks. Sometime later this month after the weather moderates, sharpen your pruner and get to work. In cleaning up damage from the wind storm, remember to make a clean cut on any ragged breaks of tree branches to ensure the best chance of healing. As for pruning related to frost damage, it may take until sometime later this spring to know the extent of damage to many plants, but once plants begin to bud and leaf out, prune back any dead tips to clean up the appearance of your shrubs and trees and promote new growth. Finally, once the ground thaws, fertilize your blueberry bushes with an acidbased fertilizer (commonly marketed as rhododendron food) for an abundant crop this summer. I recommend fertilizing blueberries before they leaf out in spring and then again after they bloom for best results. Not exactly punctual, winter has finally shown up here in the Pacific Northwest. Soon though, spring will arrive, and we can get back to getting our hands dirty. In the meantime, just try to keep them warm!
Benchmark milk price begins long climb back U.S. milk prices are beginning a slow rebound, but have a long way back to profitability for farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the January Federal Order (FO) Class III benchmark price on Jan. 30 at $13.96 per hundredweight (cwt.), up 18 cents from December but 4 cents below January 2018. It equates to $1.20 per gallon, up from $1.18 in December and equal to $1.20 a year ago. The January Class IV milk price is $15.48, up 39 cents from December, $2.35 above a year ago, and the highest Class IV price since September 2017. Block cheddar cheese closed Feb. 1 at $1.50 per pound, the highest Chicago Mercantile Exchange price since Oct. 30, 2018. It was up 11 cents on the week, reversing four weeks of decline, and 3.75 cents above a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.30, up 18 cents on the week but 2.5 cents below a year ago and an unsustainable 20 cents
below the blocks. A number of Midwestern cheese producers reported slightly higher demand compared to previous weeks, according to Dairy Market News. Western cheese output remains at or near full capacity. Inventories are reported to be long. Market participants are eager to get updated statistics on production and inventories after the partial government shutdown. They expect large cheese stocks in warehouses, but are not sure how large and at what point inventories become burdensome. The USDA is rescheduling its missed reports from the shutdown. However, the missing December Cold Storage report was not yet listed. Cash butter climbed to $2.2925 per pound Jan. 30, the highest CME price since Nov. 2, 2018. It closed Feb. 1 at $2.29, up 4.5 cents on the week and 17.5 cents above a year ago. Cream remains abundant for Central butter producers who expect similar availability to last
through February. Butter sales are a little lower than expected in some cases, but somewhat steady overall. Western inventories remain abundant while prices are higher compared to last year. Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.0025 per pound, down a penny on the week and 28 cents above a year ago. The Northwest Dairy Association makes these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend Jan. $13.96 $15.00 (current) Feb. $13.90 $15.20 March $14.55 $15.60 April $15.60 $15.60 May $15.00 $15.80 June $15.40 $16.10 July $15.80 $16.40 Aug. $16.10 $16.70 Sept. $16.30 $16.80 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly. Whatcom County has about 100 dairy farms.
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NEXT FEEDER SALE Saturday, March 9th 12:30 pm
Bringing you tips and tricks for a more sustainable life monthly
EVERY MONDAY 12:30pm
Keep the Cold Out By Weatherproofing With the recent cold blasts it might be a good idea to check out these tips for your home efficiency. By making a few minor adjustments, homeowners can reduce the amount of wasted energy while staying comfortable during the chilly season. • Repair the roof. Inspect the roof to make sure shingles are in place to prevent water from seeping inside. • Dodge the drafts. Air leaks caused by cracks around windows and doors can enable warm air to escape and cold air to seep in. • Don’t forget the furnace. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it is recommended to upgrade to a high efficiency system, such as a variable-speed furnace, which can save hundreds of dollars on utility costs. • Attend to the attic. If you are experiencing high heating bills and having difficulty keeping your home warm, it could be time to add additional insulation to the attic.
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Cull Cattle, Small Animals & Poultry Dairy & 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 eversonauctionmarket@comcast.net
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9am-2pm
www.whatcomcd.org/small-farm-expo
Talks every 30 minutes • Over 35 exhibitors Soil & compost demos • Veterinary & ag experts Financial resources • Family friendly
Keynote speaker: Farmer and Author Rebecca Thistlethwaite
Clean Green Solutions • Yard waste recycling by composting (grass clippings, brush & stumps) • Compost & soil material sales
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A10 • Wednesday, February 13, 2019 • lyndentribune.com
Career Skills Students
National FFA Week! February 16-23
From left, Preston VanderVeen, Jack Likkel, Carl Roosma and Tim VanDalen tend geranium starts in the Lynden Christian High School greenhouse. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
Sydni DeKoster is raising three crossbred hogs to go to the Puget Sound Livestock Show & Sale May 30. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
In LCHS project shop Luke TeVelde is building a bed for the back of his 1973 International Loadstar truck. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
Special thanks to these community-minded businesses for their continued support of the FFA! COMPASS POINT SURVEY, LLC
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John Reid 360-739-2284 Tom McMahon 360-739-7070
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