Network Timeline

1997

Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network formed by several people representing sustainable agriculture, environmental organizations and agencies who realize that there is a need for a statewide advocacy organization to speak for sustainable and organic agriculture and small farms. Seattle Tilth agrees to be fiscal sponsor for the Network.

1998

Network and EPA work to secure $40,000 EPA grant as seed money for establishment of a Sustainable Agriculture Program at Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Part-time coordinator hired with EPA funds.
Part-time Network Coordinator, Bonnie Rice, hired with a small grant from the Bullitt Foundation grant to coordinate meetings statewide, where people interested in sustainable agriculture can network, share information and strategize on how to make Washington’s agricultural system more sustainable. Network mission, goals, principles developed.
WSU’s College of Agriculture and Home Economics (CAHE) forms advisory committee to develop multi-million legislative initiative. After repeated Network attempts to engage with WSU in this process/committee are rebuffed, the Network begins concerted organizing efforts against WSU’s Safe Food Initiative (SFI) due to lack of inclusion of small farms and sustainable agriculture in the SFI. Negotiations with WSU over changes to SFI and the College of Agriculture and Home Economics to support sustainable and organic agriculture and small farms continue during the next several months.
Network and WSU CAHE Dean James Zuiches sign historic formal agreement establishing a partnership between the Network and WSU. This “Letter of Mutual Commitment” commits WSU to increase support of sustainable and organic agriculture and small farms in research, teaching and extension programs.

1999

Small farm and sustainable agriculture positions were added to the Safe Food Initiative, and the Director of Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (within CAHE) becomes full-time position; Chris Feise hired as Director. State legislature approves $7.5 million for the Safe Food Initiative. $1 million of this amount appropriated to the WA State Commission on Pesticide Registration (CPR) with change in CPR’s mandate to allow research into biological methods of pest control.
Network begins lobbying WSDA Director to request state funds for a permanent Sustainable Agriculture Program. Sustainable agriculture community meets with WSDA Director to discuss sustainable agriculture community’s needs, including a regional/local marketing program within WSDA.
Tilth Producers of WA, the statewide association of organic and sustainable farmers, becomes fiscal sponsor for the Network, replacing Seattle Tilth.

2000

Network convinces WSDA Director to request state funds for Small Farm and Direct Marketing program (which would encompass work done under the Sustainable Agriculture Program funded through the $40,000 EPA grant.)
WSU establishes statewide Small Farms Program. Hires Director, Marcy Ostrom, with funds from Safe Food Initiative.
Network begins concerted effort to gain WSU adminstrators’ support for development of an organic farming program.
Network convinces Washington State Department of Health to change its policy banning low-income families in the Women, Infants and Children program from using WIC vouchers to purchase organic foods in grocery stores. Organic milk is approved.
WSU CAHE Dean agrees to request funds for an organic program in the University federal funding request (no funds approved by Congress).
WSDA requests state funds for a Small Farms & Direct Marketing Program—the first program geared specifically toward assisting small farms in marketing their products and encouraging localized food systems.

2001

Network hosts (with WSU) forum on genetic engineering in Spokane, over 250 people attend, including many farmers.
Legislature approves $150,000 in general funds for the WSDA Small Farm and Direct Marketing program.
Network ramps up organizing efforts for an organic farming program at WSU.
Network becomes membership organization, and opens office in Bellingham.
Network convinces WSDA Director to allocate $500,000 in federal specialty crop’ funds to direct marketing programs.
Network plays key role in ensuring legislative support for funding of the Small Farm & Direct Marketing Program.

2002

WSU CAHE Dean James Zuiches makes the organic program a top priority of the College for the University 2003/4 state budget request.
Network gains meeting with WSU President after generating hundreds of calls and letters in support of an organic and biologically-based farming program. WSU President expresses support for an organic program at WSU.
Network convinces Washington State Department of Health to allow more organic products in Women, Infants and Children program. WIC vouchers can now buy organic carrots, infant cereal, peas, beans and lentils. Washington State is one of only a handful of states that now allows organic food choices in WIC program.
Network quadruples membership to 210 including individuals, farms, organizations, and businesses.
Program Assistant, Gale Sterrett, for the Network is hired (part-time).

2003

Congress approves $125,000 for organic research at WSU. Organic Farming Research Foundation says in its second edition of State of the States, “WA State has made the most progress of any of the states in formalizing organic research and education programs since [2001].”
Network forms committees to work on issues of genetically-modified foods and corporate consolidation of agriculture.
First edition of Network newsletter, Growing Connections, is published.
At the request of WSU, Network agrees to join the planning committee for the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council annual conference in Seattle, to bring more diverse perspectives and represent public, sustainable agriculture and farmer interests.
Network co-sponsors workshops with the Center for Rural Affairs on Farm Bill policy, including the Conservation Security Program. Network mobilizes grassroots support for sustainable agriculture programs in the Farm Bill from Washington state farmers, organizations and residents.
Network raises more than $20,000 in special member campaign to support new effort to challenge the commercialization of genetically-modified (GM) wheat in WA.
Network co-sponsors three forums on small-scale poultry production with WSDA to resolve regulatory barriers that hinder producers from marketing their products directly to public.
Network meets with new CAHE Dean Jim Cook, to advocate for continued progress on CAHE’s support of organic and sustainable agriculture and small farms at WSU.
Congress approves funding for the Conservation Security Program in 2004.

2004

Program Assistant, Gale Sterrett, hired full-time; Eastern Washington Organizer, Maurice Robinette, is hired part-time.
Network actively building partnerships with eastern WA conventional ranchers and farmers.
As part of a national campaign and the Network’s huge outreach efforts in eastern WA, the giant chemical corporation, Monsanto, announced it would stop development of Roundup Ready wheat.
Network granted 501(c)(3) status in October 2004. Tilth Producers of WA fiscal sponsorship terminates by the year’s end. Part-time bookkeeper, Jon Edholm, is hired on contract.
Several Leadership Team members hold Network’s first house parties to raise awareness of and financial support for the Network.
Hired Lobbyist, Mike Ryherd, to help us secure $2.6 million for WSU’s Biologically-Intensive and Organic Agriculture Program (BIOAg).
Five new Leadership Team members join the Network.
New State Food Code adopted. Network participated in 2 years of stakeholder and public meetings.
The Network, the only Farm Aid grantee in the Pacific Northwest, helps organize and participates in Farm Aid’s “Ten Ways to Ensure Healthy Food for You and Your Family” in Seattle, which preceded the fundraising concert.

2005

Part-time fundraiser, Valerie Reuther, is hired on contract.
Founding Director, Bonnie Rice, moves on.
Maryon Attwood becomes Director. Office moves to Mount Vernon.
Our Legislative Campaign yielded an additional $250,000 for WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and an additional $682,000 for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (allowing these programs to operate at 2004 levels).
Legislature did not fund the BIOAg program but did insert a proviso into the final budget that sent a clear message to WSU to prioritize research in sustainable agriculture. WSU committed to hiring a statewide BIOAg Coordinator for the program.
Network successfully lobbied for an additional $150,000/biennium for WA Dept. of Agriculture’s Small Farm & Direct Marketing Program.

2006

Network goes through Strategic Planning process. Surveys partners and members in ag related fields, asking what they believe are most emergent issues Network should tackle. Strategic planning process identifies the need to a visionary process for agriculture. Network creates new “Vision” committee to explore an ag vision effort.
Network involved in successful, national campaign to stop the sale of commercial, genetically-modified Round Up Ready Wheat seed.
Hired Ellen Gray as Development Coordinator.
Avidly working on campaign with partners to secure funding for WSU’s BIOAg program for more sustainable farming and ranching research, more extension agents to disseminate information and for more education re sustainable agriculture.
Successfully secure $400,000/year for BIOAg for two years in State funds.
Maryon leaves the Network; Bill Aal, Leadership Member becomes Transition Director; Ellen becomes Administrative Director.

2007

In March, Ellen appointed Interim Director.
Successfully secure $400,000 for 2 years from the state legislature for organic and sustainable farming practices research to provide farmers with critical information for successful harvests and production. Total/year funding now at $600,000 for 2007 & 2008.
Several new WSU research staff positions are created, one position located in Mount Vernon, is to help farmers develop value-added products from their harvest (i.e. jams, relishes, cheeses) to increase their income.
$450,000 is set aside by the state legislature for a WSDA Future of Farming Evaluation to develop a strategy to keep farms productive and profitable as well as Washington’s entire ag sector competitive. Network preparing to be at the table.
Network part of national coalition working to stop the use of genetically-modified, Round Up Ready alfalfa seed which could destroy the organic dairy industry and dramatically effect WA exports.