Forum to focus on local agriculture

Snohomish County's fourth Focus on Farming conference will continue to expand on local agriculture's regional impact as more than 600 farmers meet Nov. 29 at the Lynnwood Convention Center.

Since the first county farming conference in 2004, Snohomish County farmers have met annually to discuss ways to better market local agriculture. That won't change this year, officials say, but farmers also will have a chance to hear how the federal farm bill that passed the House might help them grow their business.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, will address the farmers and take questions on what the first farm bill since 2002 might mean locally. Included in this year's bill is the availability of more money for crops outside of such commodity foods as corn and wheat.

That could be a boon to Western Washington farmers, said Linda Neunzig, a local farmer and agricultural-project coordinator for the Snohomish County Economic Development Council.

"Few farmers in Snohomish County are growing commodity crops," she said. "Now more funding could be available for direct marketing and for nutritional aspects of different crops."

While agriculture subsidies can help any local farmer, learning better ways to market goods is still a must. Tackling that will be Charles Kuperus, New Jersey secretary of agriculture, who helped create the branding name "Jersey Fresh."

Branding is something Snohomish County farmers have discussed, seeing the potential in a quick identifier for local products.

The key, Kuperus is expected to explain, is that more people want local produce rather than just organic produce.

"Local is replacing organic as a marketing tool," said Laura McLeod of Snohomish County public works, which is helping promote the conference. People still want organic products, but the commercialization of such produce has them searching for food closer to home.

Farmers also will hear how climate change is affecting regional agriculture, and how sustainable farming practices can increase production.

Farmers from outside Snohomish County also are expected, and Neunzig said the county continues to try to find national speakers to address changing agricultural issues.

"During the first conference, we looked at what obstacles to success farmers were facing," she said. "That grew to include more economic issues, including profitability."

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-745-7813 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com