Workshops & Events

Upcoming Workshops & Events

 

There are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back soon and follow us on social media for immediate updates! Partner organizations in the Begin to Farm Network also offer support and events for new farmers throughout Western Washington. You can learn more about that network here

PAST WORKSHOPS & Events

All About Organic Series

Why Organic? A Conversation with Farmers and Advocates in the Organic Landscape

February 28th, 2024 | 4-5:30pm | Register Here

Where does organic certification stand in today’s sustainable food system landscape? What are the actual benefits of certifying your small farm? Hear from organic leaders from Rodale Institute, National Organic Coalition and Viva Farms. Together, we will discuss the history of organic, how it can contribute to your marketing and sustainability plans, alternative certification opportunities, and more – all in the context of the rapidly growing crisis of climate change. Viva Farms is proud to host this workshop and make it available to farmers and food systems leaders across the country via Zoom. This work is brought to you in part by the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

¿Qué lugar ocupa la certificación orgánica en el panorama actual de los sistemas alimentarios sostenibles? ¿Cuáles son los beneficios reales de certificar su pequeña explotación agrícola? Escuche a los líderes ecológicos de Rodale Insittue, National Organic Coalition y Viva Farms. Juntos, vamos a discutir la historia de la agricultura orgánica, cómo puede contribuir a sus planes de marketing y sostenibilidad, oportunidades de certificación alternativas, y mucho más – todo ello en el contexto de la creciente crisis del cambio climático. Viva Farms se enorgullece de acoger este taller y ponerlo a disposición de los agricultores y los líderes de los sistemas alimentarios de todo el país a través de Zoom. Este trabajo es traído a usted en parte por la Transition to Organic Partnership Program del USDA.

Clarifying the Organic Certification Process for Farmers

March 6th, 2024 | 4-5:30pm | Register Here

Organic certifiers from both Oregon Tilth and Washington State Department of Agriculture provide insight on the certification process for small scale farmers. We will cover the collaboration with your certifier, systems for record keeping, inputs and application, renewal, inspection, and other processes involved in certification. Consideration of cost and cost-share opportunities will also be covered. There will be a Q&A – bring your questions!

//

Los certificadores orgánicos de Oregon Tilth y Washington State Department of Agriculture ofrecerán información sobre el proceso de certificación para pequeños agricultores. Cubriremos temas como la colaboración con su certificador, sistemas de mantenimiento de registros, insumos y aplicación, inspección, renovación y otros procesos involucrados en la certificación. También se hablará de los costos y la posibilidad de compartirlos. Habrá una ronda para preguntas y respuestas. ¡Traigan sus dudas!

 

Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture Info Session

February 8th, 2024 | 4-6pm | 15366 Ovenell Rd, Burlington, WA

Bring your questions and curiosities about Viva Farms’ Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture. Viva Farms staff and instructors will be onsite to offer their insights and offer application support if needed. No RSVP is required, we hope to see you there! 

Session Informativa: La Práctica

8 de febrero| 4-6pm | 15366 Ovenell Rd, Burlington, WA

Traigan sus preguntas y curiosidades sobre la Práctica en la Agricultura Sostenible de Viva Farms. El personal de Viva y los instructores estarán en el lugar para dar sus puntos de vista y ofrecer apoyo en la solicitud si es necesario. No se requiere confirmación, ¡esperamos verlos allí! 

Grant Writing Fundamentals for Farmers: Crafting a strong grant application

January 24th 3 – 6:30pm, on Zoom

Register Here!

Having sufficient capital is integral to launching and growing any business, but with the seasonal nature and unique challenges of growing food, funding is often an obstacle for farmers. Thankfully, there are several grant opportunities available to farmers that are designed to help their businesses grow and thrive. But where to start? Join Viva Farms, a bilingual non-profit farmer training organization based in Western Washington, and Virignia Lang of Lang Consulting, to learn the fundamentals of how to write a winning grant application. This workshop is designed with beginning, small and mid-scale farmers in mind and is supported in part by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be provided by WSU Skagit County Extension

Fundamentos de la Redacción de Subvenciones para Agricultores: Cómo redactar una solicitud de subvención sólida

24 de enero 3 – 6:30pm, en Zoom

Regístrese Aquí!

Contar con capital suficiente es fundamental para poner en marcha y hacer crecer cualquier negocio, pero con la naturaleza estacional y los desafíos únicos del cultivo de alimentos, la financiación es a menudo un obstáculo para los agricultores. Afortunadamente, los granjeros disponen de varias oportunidades de subvención diseñadas para ayudar a sus empresas a crecer y prosperar. ¿Por dónde empezar? Únase a Viva Farms, una organización bilingüe de formación de agricultores sin ánimo de lucro con sede en el oeste de Washington, y a Virignia Lang, de Lang Consulting, para aprender los fundamentos de cómo redactar una solicitud de subvención ganadora. Este taller está diseñado para agricultores principiantes, pequeños y medianos, y cuenta con el apoyo del USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. La interpretación simultánea en español será proporcionada por WSU Skagit County Extension

2023

**Location Change/Cambio de Lugar** 11/3/23: Rotary Community Room at Burlington Public Library: 820 East Washington Avenue, Burlington, WA, 98233

November 7th, 2023, 9am – 4pm

Value-Added Food Processing, Product Development and Food Safety

Tickets and more information available here. Simultaneous Spanish Interpretation available. 

Join Viva Farms and Girish Ganjyal, of WSU’s School of Food Science, for an all-day workshop on Value-Added Food Processing, Product Development and Food Safety November 7th 9-4pm at WSU Skagit Extension. Harley Soltes, farmer and founder of Bow Hill Blueberries and Griffin Berger, Operations Manager at Sauk Farm, will also join us to offer their expertise. Farmers, chefs and food-system professionals, who are serious about creating their own value-added product (such as jam, dried herbs, or pickles; you tell us!) are invited to get a comprehensive look into the creation, process, and regulations involved in product development. With the right preparation, incorporating value-added products to your business plan can increase the market value of your crops. Come with an idea and leave with a plan!

 

 

 

Procesado de alimentos con valor añadido, Desarrollo de productos y seguridad alimentaria

Entradas y más información aquí. Interpretación simultánea en español disponible.

Únanse a Viva Farms y WSU Especialista en Procesamiento de Alimentos, Girish Ganjyal, para un taller de todo el día acerca del valor añadido de procesamiento de alimentos, desarrollo de productos y seguridad alimentaria el 7 de noviembre de 9-4pm en WSU Skagit Extensión. Harley Soltes, agricultor y fundador de Bow Hill Blueberries, y Griffin Berger, el director de operaciones de Sauk Farm, también se unirá a nosotros para ofrecernos su experiencia. Los agricultores, chefs y profesionales del sistema alimentario, que son serios acerca de la creación de su propio producto de valor añadido (como mermelada, hierbas secas, o encurtidos, ¡usted nos dice!) están invitados a obtener una visión completa de la creación, el proceso y los reglamentos que intervienen durante este desarrollo. Con la preparación adecuada, la incorporación de productos de valor añadido a su plan de negocio puede aumentar el valor de mercado de sus cultivos. ¡Venga con una idea y salga con un plan!

September 11th, 2023 at 5:30pm

GROWING YOUR WHOLESALE PROGRAM 

FREE + Open to the Public! Spanish interpretation provided.

A recording of this program can be found here.

Ready to scale up your farm? Join agricultural leaders and industry buyers as you plan and execute sales to larger, wholesale buyers.

In partnership with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Viva Farms is excited to host panelists Ed Morris (Sales and Sourcing Manager at Puget Sound Food Hub), Mike Neubeck (Director of Purchasing at Organically Grown Company), Amy Frye (Owner/Operator of Boldly Grown Farm) and Annette Slonim (Farm to School Lead at Washington State Department of Agriculture) to discuss how small and mid-scale farmers can plan for and execute sales to larger wholesale and institutional buyers.

This event is FREE, open to the public, and Spanish interpretation will be provided. Registration is required. Please register here

Como Hacer crecer su programa mayorista

Puede encontrar una grabación de este programa aquí.

GRATIS + abierto al público

¿Está preparado para ampliar su explotación? Únase a líderes agrícolas y compradores del sector para planificar y ejecutar ventas a compradores mayoristas más grandes.

En colaboración con el Servicio de Comercialización Agrícola del USDA, Viva Farms se complace en acoger a los panelistas Ed Morris (Gerente de Ventas y Abastecimiento en Puget Sound Food Hub), Mike Neubeck (Director de Compras en Organically Grown Company), Amy Frye (Propietaria / Operadora de Boldly Grown Farm) y Annette Slonim (Farm to School Lead en el Departamento de Agricultura del Estado de Washington) para discutir cómo los pequeños y medianos agricultores pueden planificar y ejecutar las ventas a compradores mayoristas e institucionales más grandes.

Este evento es GRATUITO, abierto al público y contará con interpretación al español. Es necesario inscribirse aquí. Por favor, dirija sus preguntas a [email protected]. 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

Tour of Viva Farms Skagit location with Skagit Valley Food Co-Op!

In case you missed it, the Co-op donated $100,000 to Viva Farms earlier this year. We’re inviting you out for an opportunity to meet the farmers, walk the farm, and learn more about how Viva is growing farmers, community, and food, for generations to come.

Tours last 1.5-2 hours. Meet in the Viva parking lot (carpooling is encouraged). Bring a friend, water, and snacks (if you need them)! And do dress for the weather.

Saturday, September 16 @ 10am

Viva Farms
15366 Ovenell Road
Burlington, WA 98233

Register online here: https://form.jotform.com/231865614695063

JANUARY 2023
PAST EVENT | FUND ANNOUNCEMENT

FEEDING SKAGIT FOREVER

FREE + Open to the Public!

Join us for an inspirational evening of food, farming, and fun in celebration of a powerful new partnership between Skagit Valley Food Co-op and Viva Farms!

To kick of the Co-op’s 50th Anniversary year, the Co-op donated $100,000 to Viva Farms through their Growing Good Fund to support local, organic ag and the future of farming in Skagit Valley. Come learn more about the Co-op, Viva Farms, and how together, we can keep our community fed and healthy with local food, today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

You’ll hear from local farmers as they share their stories, and from the Co-op’s General Manager about why this partnership is so meaningful to the future of food in Skagit County. Stick around for a mixer to meet the farmers and close out the night!

There will be light snacks, $2 beers, and prizes!

Learn more about the event and the Growing Good Fund here.

 

2022

Join Viva Farms and American Farmland Trust for a series of four workshops exploring farmland access strategies and considerations.

“We created the conservation agriculture movement, which speaks for the land—and for the people who grow our food. As the movement’s leaders, we have three priorities: protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

AFT is the only national agricultural organization that approaches its work in this comprehensive, holistic manner. We recognize the connection between the land, forward-looking farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. We also recognize the power of combining on-the-ground projects with objective research and effective advocacy.

Today, because of AFT, millions of acres of farmland that otherwise would have been converted into house lots and shopping malls remain in farming, and tens of thousands of farmers and ranchers have adopted better farming practices.”

SEPTEMBER 2022

FARMLAND ACCESS WORKSHOP SERIES

(Espanol abajo)

Are you a farmer seeking long-term land tenure? Do you have questions about water rights or assessing a potential new property? Do you want to learn about financing options and creative land tenure models? Join Viva Farms and American Farmland Trust for a series of workshops in September exploring farmland access strategies and considerations. 

We recognize that farmers face incredible barriers to accessing land, and we believe farmers shouldn’t face these burdens alone. Through these workshops, we’ll convene people and organizations committed to helping farmers find and assess land, finance land, design appropriate lease and purchase models, and more. 

You’ll hear from Washington Farmland Trust and Washington Water Trust, along with financial and legal specialists, and other farmers and experts who will share about their programs and experience. Workshops are free and open to the public and will be offered in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation provided by WSU Skagit County Extension.

Register Here

Espanol

¿Es usted un agricultor que busca la tenencia de un terreno a largo plazo? ¿Tiene preguntas sobre los derechos de agua o sobre cómo evaluar una nueva propiedad? ¿Quiere aprender sobre opciones de financiamiento y modelos creativos de tenencia de tierra? Únase a Viva Farms y American Farmland Trust para una serie de talleres en septiembre que exploran estrategias y consideraciones del acceso a tierras agrícolas.

Reconocemos que los agricultores enfrentan barreras importantes para acceder a la tierra y que a veces no tienen la ayuda necesaria para enfrentar estos desafíos. A través de estos talleres, convocaremos a personas y organizaciones comprometidas con ayudar a los agricultores a encontrar, evaluar y financiar tierras, a acceder a modelos apropiados de arrendamiento y de compra, y más.

Nos acompañarán las organizaciones Washington Farmland Trust y Washington Water Trust, junto con especialistas financieros y legales, y otros agricultores y expertos para compartir sus programas y experiencias. Los talleres son gratuitos y abiertos al público y se ofrecerán en inglés con interpretación simultánea en español proporcionada por WSU Skagit County Extension.

Registrarse Aquí

APRIL 2022

SKAGIT FARM TO PINT ROADSHOW 2022

Viva Farms is hosting the 4th Annual Skagit Farm to Pint ROADSHOW, presented by the Port of Skagit this April. The ROADSHOW is a month-long local beer, cider and bounty celebration held at breweries around Skagit Valley featuring craft beers brewed with Skagit Valley Malt, cider and delicious bites highlighting local ingredients.
Join other local beer, cider and food enthusiasts, as you enjoy exclusive beer and bite pairings on a self-guided brewery adventure. Participants can also join in the fun of a homebrewer’s competition; cornhole and trivia tournaments. All proceeds benefit Viva Farms. Join us. Learn More…

 

Join Our Newsletter!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the communtiy at Viva Farms. 

Thank you for joining! See you in your inbox.