Community Programs

Thank you to our Sammamish Valley Grange members, families, friends, and the community who participate in our Programs and Events. Here’s what’s coming up:

• Tuesday, March 4th, 6 p.m.; “All About Seeds” Program for Farming & Gardening; info below. Kick off the Sammamish Valley 9th Annual Seed Swap (21 Acres).
• Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m.; King County Local Food Initiative 2025 Refresh. (SV Grange Hall)
• Saturday, April 12th; program in conjunction with Sammamish Valley “Seedy Affairs” event. Stay tuned for more info! (21 Acres)

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“All About Seeds” Program for Farming & Gardening–Tuesday, March 4th, 6-8 p.m. 21 Acres in Woodinville

A prolific garden begins with well-chosen seeds! Whether growing food or flowers, in a backyard garden or on acres of farmland, understanding the fundamentals of seed saving, harvesting, and sharing will lead you to be a successful grower. The process of saving seeds has been practiced for centuries, and the benefits are well known for agriculture biodiversity, food security, a healthy food supply, and of course, to connect with our cultural heritage.

Join the Sammamish Valley community, Tuesday evening, March 4, for a free program, presented by the Sammamish Valley Grange and hosted at 21 Acres in Woodinville. Come early at 6:00 p.m. and help us kick-off the 9^th Annual Seed Swap located outside the 21 Acres Farm Market entrance. Bring seeds to share and be ready to swap.

The featured program “All About Seeds” for Farming and Gardening begins indoors at 7 p.m. and showcases presenters Rosy Smit, the Agriculture Program Coordinator with WSU Snohomish County Extension, and Ansley Roberts, 21 Acres Farm Manager. Topics to be covered include: choosing the best seeds, how to get started, best growing practices, and transplant tips. Learn how to grow your vegetables successfully and save some money, too! There will be time after the presentation for Q&A with your farm and gardening questions.

The program is free and open to all ages. Registration in advance here on Eventbrite is encouraged, but not required. The program is presented by Sammamish Valley Grange and Sammamish Valley Alliance (SVA) with thanks to partner organization 21 Acres. 21 Acres is located at 13701 NE 171^st St. Woodinville, WA  98072. Click here for Grange membership & information. Visit sammamishvalley.org for details and information on the annual Seed Swap. Questions, e-mail sammamishvalleygrange286@gmail.com.

BIOS:

Rosy Smit, the Agriculture Program Coordinator with WSU Snohomish County Extension, is passionate about teaching and disseminating information about agriculture as well as creating agents of change in the food system. As a 7th generation farmer, with degrees in Agroecology and Soil Science and with 15 years of farming and food system education under her belt, she has a knack for getting children, youth and adults alike excited about food and farming. Check out Agriculture events with WSU Sno-CO Extension here: https://extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/agriculture/

Ansley Roberts is the Farm Manager at 21 Acres. Ansley brings her love of working with plants, growing and eating delicious food, and environmental justice to the work of stewarding the farm. Her desire to work towards a more just food system has led her to work on farms and with farmer support organizations from South Carolina to California. Ask her about Dry Farming techniques, you’ll be intrigued! Learn more about 21 Acres here.

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King County Local Food Initiative 2025 Refresh Listening Session–Rescheduled, Thursday, March 6, 7-8:30 p.m.; Grange Hall in Woodinville

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. King County is partnering with the King Conservation District and the King County Food Systems Advisory Council to update the Local Food Initiative. Published in 2015, the Local Food Initiative has served as a roadmap for food policy and action for stakeholders across the region and has been a guiding force behind innovative programs, projects and investment. The refresh of the LFI presents an opportunity to chart a new course that will identify and guide our regional food system priorities into the future. 

A big part of the update process is engaging community members from across the food system to better understand barriers, needs, and priorities. We have identified various food system sectors that we are intentionally engaging, and Sammamish Valley farmers are one of those groups. Toward that end, we would like to invite you to a focus group discussion to be held Thursday, March 6 at the Sammamish Valley Grange from 7 – 8:30 pm.    

RSVP on the form in this link. This will help the team better prepare for a meaningful discussion.

“The Local Food Initiative aims to build a resilient and sustainable local food system that expands the economic opportunities and viability of local farms and food businesses and increases access to healthy affordable food for all residents of King County. This is accomplished by providing strategic direction around shared food system priorities; harnessing resources for projects and programs; building strong sustainable partnerships; and tracking, measuring, and communicating progress.” More info on the Initiative here.

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