Country Life Wednesday, September 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • ferndalerecord.com
Gardening • A7 Dairy • A9
It’s diversified and smallMake the most of scale at Pollen Folly Farm autumn around the yard Place south IN BLOOM
of Everson typifies growing trend, census shows
The 2017 Census of Agriculture showed a continuing proliferation of smaller farms (less than 10 acres) in Whatcom County as well as the state. This is an edited version of a story, and photos, by Frederica Kowley, that appeared in Whatcom Talk.com in July. It is used by permission. Did you know that Whatcom County produces almost 85 percent of our nation’s red raspberries? The county is also known for its blueberry and strawberry production. Whatcom County farms are diverse — some large and some small. A few, like Pollen Folly Farm, are less than 10 acres. Pollen Folly Farm is a family-run farm growing on one-and-a-half acres south of Everson. This organic and biodynamic farm produces a variety of vegetables, culinary herbs, organic eggs and berries. Kelly Uusitalo owns and runs Pollen Folly Farm with her husband, Mike. The two are both graduates of Washington State University’s organic farming program and come to farming with a bird’s eye view, a whole-system approach to what they do. Rather than growing one kind of berry, their focus is on growing a variety of crops in a way that maintains the health of the water, the soil and the insects that live there. Like all farming, berry production doesn’t come with great job security, and most farms are dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to be able to bring huge harvests to market each season. Because of the short growing season here and fruit’s susceptibility to pests, for smaller, organic farms like Pollen Folly, it’s essential to grow other things along with berries. Small fruits, like raspberries and blueberries, are very vulnerable to a species of fruit fly called the spotted wing drosophila. The flies have tiny sawlike pokers that allow them to drill into the fruits and lay their eggs in the bottom, quickly decimating entire harvests. Fruits also depend on a pretty consistent weather pattern. This year, a warmer-than-usual January followed by a cold and windy February damaged many Whatcom County rasp-
Plants don’t lie: vegetable gardens are giving the last of their abundance and the maple trees are showing the first of fall reds in their uppermost branches. Regardless how firmly we try to grasp the fading rays of summer, the seasons march on and autumn is arriving. As you gear up for the new season, here are a few tips to make the most of early autumn around the yard. First, late summer or early autumn is the perfect time to make an application of granular insecticide to control cranefly larvae and other lawn grubs in your lawn. Cranefly larvae typically hatch in late summer and early fall and will feed on a lawn’s root system over winter, leaving dead spots in your lawn come spring. Additionally, cranefly larvae and other grubs that may be present in your soil are an excellent food source for moles, so if you find yourself frustrated by moles constantly tunneling in your lawn, your best first step is to reduce their food supply by applying a product like Bonide Eight insecticide. Doing so will not only prevent cranefly damage to your lawn over winter, but it will also make your yard less appealing for moles in general, encouraging them to look for greener pastures elsewhere. Second, September is the perfect time to seed a lawn, whether for overseeding weak areas or for seeding a new lawn entirely. The reason I love this month the best for seeding is how quickly the new grass will sprout and get established. In April, when we can first seed lawns in our area, grass seed takes up to two weeks to sprout due to cool soil temperatures. In September, summerwarmed soil speeds up grass seed germination time to as little as seven days. In addition to warm soil temperatures, September’s arrival typically
Kelly Uusitalo and her husband Mike farm south of Everson. (Courtesy photo/Frederica Kowley) berry plants. The blueberry we build healthy eaters.” plants are a little heartier Outside of the school and seem to have fared district, Uusitalo and her husband are committed to better. “Because of the insta- addressing food security bility and the changing of in their neighborhood and the climate, we’re getting town more broadly. this erratic weather that Through a grant from makes for more pathogen- Sustainable Connections ic issues,” Uusitalo said. and another from Com“It’s really easy to lose a munity Action of Skagit crop really fast.” County, Uusitalo sells and Growing a variety of donates produce to local fruits and vegetables is one food banks. Through the way to protect against los- Sustainable Connections grant, she receives money ing a whole harvest. Uusitalo sells her ber- that essentially subsidizes ries and produce at the her costs so she can sell to Birchwood Community local food bank partners Farm Stand and the Bell- at market rates. The other ingham Farmers Market. grant provides capital for projects, This is the first year she has infrastructure a booth at the downtown and Uusitalo pays the grant back by growing food for market. “The farmers market food banks and other nonhas been great,” Uusitalo profits. said. “When you spend a Uusitalo and Mike run lot of time growing things, their farm along with help a lot of your sweat and from their 10-year-old son, labor and love goes into Quinntin. They bought growing the produce, so their land in 2011, and it’s nice when you see it go- soon Uusitalo’s parents ing to people and you see it moved in next door. They going to kids — to growing grow produce on their land these healthy little beings. as well as a portion of her parents’. That’s what we’re about.” the fam Besides selling at the While two markets, Uusitalo is ily hasn’t been farming very involved in efforts the same plot of land for to increase food security decades, they are decadeswithin the Mount Baker long berry farmers. The School District. She part- raspberry plants themnered with local nonprofit selves were Uusitalo’s Common Threads to build grandmother’s plants, a garden at Harmony Ele- giving multigenerational mentary School and imple- farming here a double ment Common Threads’ meaning. programming there, which provides garden lessons and cooking classes to all students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Pollen Folly Farm donates food for the cooking classes. “That’s one of my big commitments,” Uusitalo Exclusions apply. See store for details. said. “We do a lot with tryMay not combine with other discounts. Expires 10/5/19. ing to work with nonprofits • (360) 354-3097 and support what they do. It’s important to me that
25%
Shrubs, Trees, & Perennials
By David Vos
brings cooler air temperatures and more moisture in the form of heavy morning dew and occasional rains, all of which reduce the amount of watering you’ll have to do to keep your lawn growing. If seeding part or all of your lawn is on the list for this fall, choose a high-quality, professional seed mix for the best results. Cheaper seed may not germinate evenly and may contain undesirable types of grass that don’t weather our wet western Washington winters. Rather, choose a reputable mix with a high percentage of fescue for a durable, beautiful lawn for years to come. Third, September and October are the ideal time for planting shrubs, trees and perennials. As with the benefits of seeding grass in autumn, warm soil temperatures encourage rapid root development in plants as well. One thing many people don’t realize is that thanks to our rela-
tively mild winters, many plants continue to grow roots well into late autumn and winter in the Pacific Northwest despite going dormant aboveground. So, if you want to enjoy healthy, well-established plants next summer and have the time to plant this fall, do it! Fall-planted plants get a whole season’s head start on those planted next spring and will reward you with increased vigor next summer compared to their spring-planted counterparts. Finally, as you begin to change out your summer flowers for fall color, be sure to include plenty of winter pansies and their equally-hardy trailing cousins, Cool Wave pansies. Both regular winter pansies and Cool Waves will bloom heavily through fall and into early winter, then resume blooming as soon as the worst of winter has passed. Mixed with mums for that classic fall look, pansies are an excellent option for keeping your pots filled with color nearly the entire “off season.” With showers beginning to fill in the forecasts, fall is upon us, and with it the excitement of a new season. Enjoy this month of transition and the opportunity to make the most of your lawn and garden! David Vos is manager of Vander Giessen Nursery Inc. in Lynden.
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A8 • Wednesday, September 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com
Lineage has bought Preferred Freezer Farm Speaker Series
topics: renewable energy, equine health
The Preferred Freezer Services cold-storage plant at Lynden was built in 2015. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)
Name change will be evident soon, says local manager By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com
LYNDEN — The West Main Street plant that still bears the name Preferred Freezer Services has actually been sold as part of a larger deal and will soon show its new name, Lineage Logistics, said local general manager Dan Shuler. It’s taking Lineage a while to get around to making the branding change at all locations, Shuler said, but it should happen by year’s end. “I don’t expect a lot of major changes here in Lynden,” Shuler said. “There have been some reporting changes. And, of course, the name change on the side of the building.”
“I believe Lineage is an outstanding company that is continuing to grow. There have been a few additional purchases of smaller cold storages since the Preferred merger.” News of the acquisition surfaced last February. The Wall Street Journal reported that Lineage’s purchase of its rival combined the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 refrigerated warehouse providers. Although Lineage did not disclose financial terms, the Journal said the deal was worth more than $1 billion. Lineage continues to invest in next-generation technologies while making advances in intellectual property as well, Lineage officials said in the purchase announcement. “We are thrilled to welcome Preferred into the Lineage family of companies,” Lineage CEO Greg Lehmkuhl said. “Bringing their first-class manage-
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ment team, deep industry experience and network of strategically located facilities into our organization will enable us to provide best-in-class service offerings for customers worldwide.” Lineage will have 17 automated facilities with more than 800,000 automated pallet positions, including the two largest automated facilities in the world, the company said. (One of those in Richland, Washington.) Preferred Freezer, which designs, constructs and maintains state-of-theart warehouses throughout the United States and Asia, grew from a single facility in 1989 to 39 U.S. locations. It also has centers in China and Vietnam, Lineage said. However, Lineage Logistics, based in Novi, Michigan, has its own story of speedy growth since founding in 2008, the company said. Customers include major companies such as
Perdue Foods and Walmart. The combined company will result in more than 1.3 billion cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity at more than 200 facilities. Its global footprint will encompass North America, Europe and Asia. With the merger, Lineage will lead the refrigerated storage sector, followed by Americold Logistics of Atlanta, which reported 918.7 million cubic feet last year, according to the Global Cold Chain Alliance. Americold also has a facility in Lynden. Shuler said the Lynden Preferred Freezer plant, built and operational in just six months in 2015, was number 35. Its capacity is 490,860 square feet. Regionally grown raspberries and blueberries, plus cranberries from lower British Columbia, provide the foundation of the Lynden Lineage plant’s volume, although sea fish products are also stored.
WHATCOM — These are remaining Farm Speaker Series topics offered by the Whatcom Conservation District this fall: • Renewable Energy for the Farm, 6 p.m. Thurday, Sept. 12, at Breckenridge Blueberries, 3595 Breckenridge Rd., Everson. This farm operation won a USDA grant to install a solar PV system. Educators will explain about renewable and energy efficiency options as well as some of the incentives and grants that are available. • Equine Health: Are You Winter Ready? 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, RSVP to Corina at ccheever@ whatcomcd.org or 360526-2381 ext. 104 for location. Hear from Mike McGlenn of Back Country Horsemen on his journey with prescribed grazing and pasture management, protection of access lanes and heavy use areas, and manure storage. Learn tips to improve horse health while saving money and making horses more efficient. Whatcom CD will share resources to
help you get winter-ready. • Farm Funding Opportunities, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the WECU building, 5659 Pacific Highway, Ferndale. Funding the dream can be one of the trickier parts of growing a farm. Many farmers are not aware of all the resources available for financial support. At this networking event make direct contact with funding agencies and hear a panel of successful grant recipients from the local farm community. • Winter Mud Management, 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Everson Auction Market, 7291 Everson-Goshen Rd. Help make this a successful series by providing your feedback below on future topics. Call the Conservation District with feedback on the speaker series or suggestions for the future, at 360-526-2381. Attend a Farm Speaker Series workshop to qualify for a $200 rebate toward barn gutters or heavy use area footing. Request a free soil test or submit soil test results to qualify for the manure spreader loan program.
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A banner showing a perfect score in a recent certification visit already has the Lineage name.
World Cleanup Day is September 21, uniting 157 countries across the world for a cleaner planet. Here’s how you can help. REFUSE. Avoid single use items. REDUCE. Only buy things if strictly needed, and choose less packaging. REUSE. Buy second-hand items, or if new – choose products built to last. RECYCLE. Recycle what you can, and choose products made from recycled materials. KNOW YOUR HOOD. Find out what recycling and reuse options are near you. ASSESS. Do a personal waste audit, to see where to improve. SPREAD IT! Spread good ideas, and involve family and friends. BORROW. Create informal networks to lend out items. BE A LEADER. No way to recycle? Consider starting a small recycling business yourself. STAY SMART. Educate yourself about the issues and solutions.
The Farm Speaker Series is a chance to visit actual farms and learn about best management practices in various areas. (Courtesy photo)
LAST CHANCE!
2019 Home & Garden FALL
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this very popular special section in the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record! Featuring a look inside local Whatcom County homes and their owners along with tips and articles pertaining to remodeling, new construction, decorating, gardening, finance, energy efficiency and more! Don’t miss your chance to be included!
DEADLINE: September 13 PUBLICATION DATE: September 25 This publication will also be available online at www.lyndentribune.com and www.ferndalerecord.com
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Wednesday, September 11, 2019 • lyndentribune.com • A9
MIELKE MARKET
Milk price highest in 5 years, but drop projected American dairy farmers are seeing more profit from their milk price. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the August Federal Order Class III benchmark price at $17.60 per hundredweight, up a nickel from July, $2.65 above August 2018 and the highest Class III price since December 2014. The 2019 Class III average stands at $15.83, up from $14.44 at this time a year ago but below the $16.09 in 2017. The August Class IV price is $16.74, down 16 cents from July but still $2.11 above a year ago and the highest August Class IV since 2014. A higher All Milk Price and lower hay price inched the July milk feed price ratio higher, the first positive move since March. The USDA’s latest Ag Prices report put the ratio at 2.16, up from 2.08 in June and comparing to 1.93 in July 2018. The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a dairy ration consisting of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. In other words, one pound of milk today purchases 2.16 pounds of dairy feed containing that blend. Unfortunately, the national average corn price averaged $4.16 per bushel, up 18 cents from June, following a 35-cent jump last month. That’s also up 69 cents per bushel from July 2018. Soybeans averaged $8.37 per bushel, up 6 cents from June, following a 29cent jump, but 71 cents per bushel below a year ago. Alfalfa hay averaged $183 per ton, down $10 from June, but $4 per ton above a year ago. The Daily Dairy Report’s Sarina Sharp says, “The Dairy Margin Coverage program’s national average income-over-feed margins reached $9.47 per cwt. in June, up 47 cents from May. Margins slipped 4 cents from June to July, as higher cash corn prices offset a 60-cent increase in the All-Milk Price. Despite larger milk checks, dairy producers are still strapped for cash.” Cash block cheese climbed to its highest price since November 2014 in the Labor Day holiday-shortened week, closing Sept. 6 at $1.9975 per pound, up 6.75 cents on the week and 33.5 cents above a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.7425, a half-cent higher on the week, 24.25 cents above a year ago but a whopping 25.5 cents below the blocks. Cheesemakers in the Midwest continue to report mostly positive sales, according to Dairy Market News. Food service orders increased, as many schools had resumed.Cheese production is steady.
Week of water-related events Sept. 14-22 One evening is short talks; Lynden’s water treatment plant can be toured
By Lee Mielke
Cheese demand is active in the West and export sales have remained stable despite higher U.S prices. Cheese needs for school lunch programs and the demand for the football season are helping maintain consumption at a high level. Cash butter closed Friday at $2.1725 per pound, down 1.75 cents on the week and the lowest Chicago Mercantile Exchange price since July 6, 2018, and 5.75 cents below a year ago. Butter churning is on the rise. August sales were bullish, but imports have increased from Oceania and EU butterfat is a bargain, says DMN. Grade A nonfat dry milk moved .75 cents higher on the week, closing at $1.0475 per pound, 13.75 cents above a year ago. CME dry whey closed the week at 39.5 cents per pound, up a half-cent on the week but 12 cents below 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 Aug. $17.60 $17.60 (current) Sept. $18.00 $17.45 Oct. $17.95 $17.50 Nov. $17.50 $17.35 Dec. $16.90 $17.15 Jan. $16.30 $16.75 Feb. $16.20 $16.55 March $16.20 $16.60 April $16.30 $16.75 May $16.40 $16.90 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly. Whatcom County has about 85 dairy farms.
WHATCOM — In Whatcom Water Week Sept. 14-22, assorted businesses, nonprofits, agencies and community groups again host a variety of fun, free and family-friendly events that celebrate the importance of water to the community, environment and culture. One of the offerings is an evening of short talks about water titled “Shared Waters, Challenges and Solutions.” Partners in this are the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network, the WRIA 1 Management Team and the Ag Water Board of Whatcom County. This program will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in Settlemyer Hall on Bellingham Technical College campus, 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Bellingham. Using the TED talk model, short talks will explore the status of water for fish and people, why water matters, and possible solutions to address challenges for meeting the diverse needs. After the talks, it’s possible to explore the top-
Waterways are needed for both fish and farming in Whatcom County. A discussion on Sept. 19 during Whatcom Water Week will be “Shared Waters, Challenges and Solutions.” (Lynden Tribune file photo)
ics in more detail by talking to the speakers and visiting with other partners working on solutions. Light refreshments will be served. Although this event is free, advance registration for it is required. Register using a link off the main website page https://www. whatcomwaterweeks.org/ events. Overall, more than 25 events are available to choose from, all free, although some require preregistration. Listed below are some outside Bellingham. Visit www.whatcomwaterweeks.org for a com-
plete calendar of events with details. • Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run/Walk and 1K Smolt Sprint, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14, at BP Highlands, 5042 Grandview Rd., Blaine. • Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association salmon sighting, 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 14. Share in the biennial return of Pacific pink salmon by joining NSEA naturalists along Thompson Creek in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Leave dogs at home. • NSEA also leads a
river walk, with naturalists, from 3 to 4 p.m, departing from Horseshoe Bend Trail in the National Forest and going for about a mile along the beautiful North Fork of the Nooksack River. • An International Coastal Cleanup is at Locust Beach and Semiahmoo Spit from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 14. • A tour of the Lynden water treatment plant will be given from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 524 Riverview Rd. accessible off South Sixth Street. Wear close-toed shoes. • The Whatcom Land Trust leads a tour of the Maple Creek Reach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. Parking and details will be provided to those who pre-register. Space is limited, requiring preregistration to jennifer@whatcomlandtrust. org. • The NSEA salmon sighting (see above) is repeated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. • The NSEA river walk also is repeated from 3 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead. • Bellingham SeaFeast on Sept. 21-22 is the climax in downtown Bellingham and at Squalicum Harbor. Come eat, learn and play. For a full event schedule, visit www.bellinghamseafeast.org. Admission is free.
Darigold names two to positions at headquarters SEATTLE — Darigold has announced the hiring of Richard Scheitler as new chief information officer and, effective Sept. 17, Monica Johnson as new general counsel. Both Scheitler and Johnson will bring significant experience from parallel industries including food and beverage and consumer products. “We are fortunate to have two high-caliber individuals joining the Darigold team,” said Stan Ryan,
president and CEO. “We are at a critical moment in Darigold’s trajectory of international growth, customer focus, consumer innovation and sustainable business practices.”
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