Soundings (2/12/08)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 
Flag Salute and Invocation by Dean Brett

Visiting Rotarians: Steve Rhea, Joe Morse, Paul Grey

Guests: Steve Lowry (Unity Group), Henry Bierlink (Director - Whatcom Farm Friends).

Announcements:

Board meeting tomorrow 7:30 am, Wed Feb 13 - at IHOP on Samish!

Please make sure you received an invoice for your current Rotary dues, which went out by Email - look for it! If you didn't receive, please let Orphalee know. Typical dues are usually $100 (plus $50 optional, which goes to RI).

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Barry Kramer for a few days in Kauai, making him the tannest guy in the club until Cy Lindberg returns;
  • Curt Smith for three birthdays: George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and me!
  • Bob Yost also has a birthday which makes him legally eligible social security!;
  • Rod Bring back from Mexico Porto Aventuras, climbing Mayan pyramids in Tulum;
  • Bill Gorman for successful Mardi Gras event last week benefitting DRN;
  • Art R for recent article about granddaughter Kelly's swim team successes;
  • Dave Nichols unhappy bucks for the above article on Kelli;
  • Robin Schmidt text messaging adventure involving daughter and ex-husband;
  • Ken Oplinger for Phoenix Suns' aquisition of Shaquille Oneil;
  • Orphalee attended caucus and has happy bucks for seeing lots of younger faces this time!

Sergeant at Arms by Ron Hardesty

Fines for Orphalee, Art, Robin, Judge Nichols, Gonzaga fans, Couger fans, people who haven't been fined, Mimi and Patti.

Program
Tonja introduced Paul Grey, grew up on family farm, school in mid-west, founded a tech company in Seattle, then moved to Bellingham six years ago where he founded Audience Central. After 37 years in technology sector, Paul has now returned to his ag roots by becoming executive director of the newly re-organized Farm Friends organization. Paul works closely with Henry Bierlink (director), who has been advocating on behalf of Whatcom agriculture and farmers for many years (Ag Preservation Committee).

Objectives of Farm Friends:
1) Win-win policies;
2) Secure a minimum 100,000 acres preserved farmlands;
3) Improve the economics of farm operations;
4) Define success plans;
5) Build county-wide support.

We need to be less reliant on foreign sources of ag products. Whatcom County is second largest agriculture county in WA. Whatcom agriculture is a $300M industry; with a multiplier it is $1 billion! Ag is the second largest employer, and provides economic diversification for the county. Dairy is biggest ag sector earner for the county (55%), then berries (14%). The climate is good for dairy cows. Raspberries from Whatcom county comprises 75% of the total US supply!

"Made in the USA": We have the strictest oversight, less "food miles", and "food sovereignty".

Several current Farm Friends projects:

The Bertrand Watershed Improvement District (half of this watershed located on Canadian side of border, half on US side), partnerships have led to big improvements.

One of Paul's favorite projects is "Farmers growing trees for salmon": 75,000 trees grown by six local farmers, over 11,000 planted so far.
Transfer Development Rights (TDR's)
Manure digesters.
Water issues take collaboration.

Become a Farm Friends advocate and participant. see their very informative Website: http://www.wcfarmfriends.com/

Agriculture trivia: A manure fork has five tongs vs. pitchfork which has three; 200 seeds on outside of average strawberry, methane from cows is 20 times more harmful to ozone layer than car pollution (per ton of waste).

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot