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North Olympic Peninsula RC&D Helps Local Farmers Market Grow

Submitted By Clea Rome, RC&D Coordinator

The North Olympic Peninsula (NOP) RC&D is partnering with community organizations around the North Olympic Peninsula to assist in farmland preservation efforts, as well as promote and expand markets for local agricultural products. One of the primary goals of the NOP RC&D Council is to support and maintain a sustainable resource-based economy for the benefit of local citizens. An important and threatened sector of Clallam County’s rural economy is small-scale farming.

Successful farmers markets are essential to the economic health of small farms and the restoration of a vibrant farm economy in Clallam County. The Port Angeles Farmers Market (PAFM) is an important economic foundation for many small farmers in the area. It has a strong presence in the community and a consistent customer base that supports a year-round weekly market in operation since 2001.

The NOP RC&D was successful in securing a $20,000 grant from the Phillips Memorial Fund of the Seattle Foundation to help the PAFM grow its operation over the coming year. With the grant money, the NOP RC&D is partnering with PAFM to increase the number of vendors participating in the Market and expand the customer base to include new and traditionally underserved groups such as low-income and senior citizens through programs such as WIC and a Senior Nutrition program. In addition to developing new vendor and customer programs through the Market, the funds will also be utilized to assist the NOP RC&D, PAFM and other partners in Clallam County to increase access to locally produced farm products through education and outreach efforts. This includes activities such as connecting schools and farms, creating community service programs in agricultural areas and providing informational workshops for producers on topics such as value-added products and marketing. The partnership between the NOP RC&D and the PAFM provides an excellent opportunity to support and promote sustainable agriculture in Clallam County.
 

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