Snohomish County Announces Focus on Farming XV and Focus on Forestry IV
“Connect, Innovate, Grow”
EVERETT, Wash., October 17, 2018 – Snohomish County today announced the details for Focus on Farming XV and Focus on Forestry IV, being held Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. During this year’s Focus on Farming—titled “Connect, Innovate, Grow”—participants will find an exciting mix of topics, ideas, and speakers focused on helping expand the opportunities, sustainability, and economic viability of the region’s farms and forestlands.
The lunchtime keynote speaker, Mike Pearson, who is host of PBS’s “Market to Market,” will take an in-depth look at the way agriculture will be changing in the next 20 years, particularly how technology will transform farming. His address is titled “The Four MegaTrends in Agriculture.”
Focus on Farming has seven different tracks, with topics as diverse as: how to get started in farming, including how to buy a farm; what the future holds for selling local food; how to sell local meats; disease management in tomatoes; and Microsoft’s new project FarmBeats, working on AI & IoT solutions for agriculture. Also, learn how Drone Technology can be used on your farm with a morning keynote address and workshop.
Also new this year will be a session titled, “Latino Farming and Business Empowerment.” Strong partnerships have been created to serve the needs of local Latino farmers, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve success. This session will feature a panel discussion with Alex Perez of Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Rob Smith of Viva Farms, and Kate Smith of WSU, representing just a few of the organizations that have recently pooled their resources to empower and motivate farmers.
Focus on Forestry IV, sponsored by the Sierra Pacific Foundation, will feature workshops to help landowners manage timber lands, choose and work with loggers, get the necessary permits, as well as manage for secondary forestry products such as herbs. If you have a forest plan, or are developing a forest plan, bring your ideas for onsite help and come ask questions.
Top this off with a trade show including products ranging from tractors to greenhouses, along with a gourmet luncheon prepared by area chefs from local farm-fresh ingredients, and you have the makings for a great day full of networking and learning.
Registration is now open for this unique Western Washington event. Visit FocusOnFarming.org for more information and registration links.
Sponsors of Focus on Farming XV include the King Conservation District, Snohomish County Parks and Recreation, Snohomish County Farm Bureau, WSU Snohomish County Extension, Sno Isle Library, Snohomish County PDS, Scratch and Peck, and Snohomish County.
For the past fifteen years, Snohomish County has been committed to growing opportunities for the region’s farms and farmers through the annual Focus on Farming event. During that time, it has grown into an outstanding educational and networking opportunity for farmers and forest landowners around the region.
For more information on Focus on Farming, visit FocusOnFarming.org, or contact Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County Agriculture Coordinator, linda.neunzig@co.snohomish.wa.us, 425-388-7170.
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