The next breakfast event will be fall 2015. Stay tuned…
Friends of Washington Agriculture:
« will bring attention to the importance of farming in Washington County
« will serve as a venue for the diverse faces of agriculture in Washington County to informally congregate, network, learn, and share ideas about agricultural development.
« will be free (or by donation).
« will have a meal that is prepared on site by volunteers using locally-sourced ingredients as much as possible
How can I participate?
Anyone in Washington County who farms or supports farming economy is welcome to attend the monthly breakfasts. For more information please contact apprcd@gmail.com or call us at 423-979-2581.
Sponsored by:
Harris Fund of Washington County; Washington Soil Conservation District; Washington Farmers Coop; Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Bureau of Washington County; food from Earth Fare, Shell Mill, Sentelles, Erika’s Eggs, Love Grains, K&K Bee Farm, the Cows Are Out Dairy, Pleasant Valley Farms.
Are you interested in sponsoring?
Our sponsorship levels are listed on this pdf: Sponsor Levels FOA 2013.
We believe your sponsorship of these events can lead to a stronger farm economy in the region, benefiting your business that is farm-supporting.
Sponsors will be recognized through promotional materials (online and disseminated to hundreds of county/regional residents) and at every breakfast event.
Contact Emily @ the office to join your name to the list of our great partners that we love to promote!
Why?
Agriculture and tourism are the top two economic contributors to Tennessee statewide. In the last USDA Agricultural census, Washington County ranked third in the state for cattle production and fourth in the state for vegetable crop production. How long Washington County will be able to hold on to its ranking is uncertain. The number of farmers, the number of farms, and arable farmland supply, have decreased by 10% over the past decade. It is simply harder and harder to farm given the rising costs of fuel and fertilizer. In 2007, the average government farm subsidy payment to Washington County farmers was 70% less than what it had been in preceding years. Furthermore, with the average Washington County farmer over 65 years of age, we all wonder what farming look like in Washington County 20 years from now.
Research by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project shows that customers desire more local food. Farmers who have managed to stay in business can sell their product for more money than they used to be able to. The growing number of vendors at our county farmers markets show a growing number of smaller and mid-range businesses.
We need venues like the Friends of Washington Agriculture to provide opportunities for farmer-to-farmer networking that will lead to sharing of ideas and resources. We need venues that will arm farmers with practical tools for innovation and farming “with the times” to grow farm income.
Past Calendar of Breakfast Programs:
April ’15 — Alexis Close, on Local Foods Promotion in the Tricities
March ’15 — Gary Mabrey on the county Chamber of Commerce’s links with agri-business over the past 100 years
(Feb ’15 – weather cancellation)
Jan ’15–Matt Dobson, Preservation Farms and Promoting the Local Food Economy through Boone Street Market
Dec ’14–Wayne Hughes, Grazing Cattle on Native Grass Pasture
Nov ’14-Jamie Dove, CSAs and Building Creative Business Partnerships through Local Ag
Oct ’14- Molly Nicholie, Becoming Certified Local with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
[break]March ’14 –
Feb ’14 –
Jan ’14 –
Dec ’13 – Two young Farm entrepreneurs: Andy Presley & Anthony Shelton
Nov ’13 – Two young farm entrepreneurs: Ben Carder & Jared Fisher
Oct ’13 – How the Govt Shut Down may affect Ag programs
[break]May ’13 – Tamara McNaughton, Appalachian Harvest and other Appalachian Sustainable Development programs
Apr ’13 – Nathan Hartgrove, NRCS Washington County, Cost-Share Programs Aren’t Just for Livestock
Mar ’13 – Alex Bomba, Bomba’s Italian, What Restaurants Want
Feb ’13 – Roy Settle, Know Your Customer
