Thank you to all our Sammamish Valley Grange members, families, friends, and the community who attended our Programs and Events in 2024. Here’s what’s coming up in 2025:
- Wednesday, February 5th, 7 p.m.; King County Local Food Initiative 2025. (SV Grange Hall)
- 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).
- Saturday, April 12th; program in conjunction with Sammamish Valley “Seedy Affairs” event. Stay tuned for more info! (21 Acres)
King County Local Food Initiative 2025–Wed., Feb. 5, 7 p.m.
The Local Food Initiative is King County’s policy roadmap to grow the local food economy and make locally grown food accessible to all. The original Local Food Initiative was published in 2015, and it is being updated for the first time right now! King County and King Conservation District are partnering to update the Local Food Initiative policy and programs.
Join Mike Lufkin, King County Local Food Economy Manager, in a focus group, Wednesday, February 5, 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall in Woodinville. These focus groups are intended to provide space for deeper discussion on food system issues and will be used to inform the strategies and actions included in the new Local Food Initiative. Information gathered will be used to guide and inform the development of the LFI. Register here to participate. (Registration encouraged, not required.)
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.
“All About Seeds” Program for Farming & Gardening–Tuesday, March 4th, 6-8 p.m.
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 9th 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 171st 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.
Sammamish Valley Grange programs are free, open to the public and share the Grange mission for educational outreach and neighborly engagement. Membership in the Grange is open to the public.Meet those who are committed to environmental stewardship and support local food systems in our community. (Programs are generally the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 7 p.m. with some exceptions on days/times, in addition to special events.) Sammamish Valley Grange Hall is located at 14654 148th Ave., NE, Woodinville, WA 98072. For more information, please e-mail sammamishvalleygrange286@gmail.com.