History

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.
• 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.
• WSU approves and posts BIOAg Coordinator position.
• Founding Director, Bonnie Rice, announces she will step down. Hired Maryon Attwood as 2nd Executive Director July 1st. Moved main office to Mount Vernon.
• New By-Laws and Network Policy Manual adopted as Leadership Team transitions to governing itself. Four new Leadership Team (LT) members join the Network’s LT.
• WSU requests $800,000 for the BIOAg Program in the 2005 Supplemental State Budget.
• Network sponsors Biopharmaceutical Workshop for Activists in December. Notable presenters were Doug Gurian Sherman who served on FDA’s advisory Food Biotechnology Sub-committee, Michael Hansen of Consumer Policy Institute, William Freese, research analyst with Friends of the Earth and Rick North of Campaign for Safe Food. Topics included the basics of genetic engineering and biopharmaceuticals, human health impacts, environmental impacts and higher education, and industry plans for the future.
• Major donor campaign raises $72,000.

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. 
• 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.
• Network involved in successful, national campaign to stop the sale of commercial, genetically-modified Round Up Ready Wheat seed.
• Successfully led statewide coalition to advocate for $400,000 in new funding from the state legislature for the Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming Program (BIOAg) at WSU.
• Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs hired as WSU’s first BIOAg Coordinator.
• Hired Ellen Gray as Development Coordinator.
• The Network, WSU, Cattle Producers of WA and the WA Cattlemen’s Association co-sponsored a Land EKG workshop led by Charley Orchard for ~25 participants. Purpose was to train ranchers how to assess the biological processes on their land to improve their grazing practices which will lead to better economic and social conditions for cattlemen, their families and community.
• Conduct successful house party fundraiser in Seattle at Trice and Bill Booth’s house.
• Maryon Attwood leaves Network; LT member temporarily leaves LT team to become Transition Director, Ellen Gray becomes Administrative Director.

2007

• Ellen Gray becomes Interim Director. Gale Sterrett becomes Administrative Manager.
• 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 is 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.
• Network is part of broader, national Sustainable Agriculture Coalition campaign to secure new and additional funds for sustainable agriculture as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
• State grants Network and WSU $81,000 for two-year “Beefing Up the Palouse” (BUP) project to investigate the economic feasibility of converting dry Eastern WA farmland into a sustainable, pasture-based, grass-fed beef operation. Maurice Robinette, Network Eastern WA Organizer, and ranch owner Gregg Beckley, are co-managers of the project. The project tests management practices that could potentially reconcile conflicts between existing agricultural land uses and protection of critical areas. If successful, it will benefit farmers/ranchers, rural communities, consumers and the environment.
• The Network works with a loose coalition of environmental, farming, school, childhood nutrition and anti-hunger interests to help draft and introduce Local Farms Healthy Kids legislation which provides better access to fresh, Washington grown foods for all Washingtonians irregardless of income and helps keep farmers farming by opening up the school and food bank markets to Washington farmers.

2008

• Ellen Gray hired as Executive Director.
• Ellen is panelist in Storming the Sound Conference speaking about Local Farms Healthy Kids legislation proposed before the State Legislature.
• Successfully advocated, as part of broad Good Food Coalition, for $1.49 Million for Local Farms Healthy Kids Act which granted $600,000 for low income eligible schools to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables; $290,000 for launching new Farm to School program within WSDA; $200,000 for Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, enabling families and seniors in need to receive food stamps redeemable at farmers markets; $350,000 to establish new Farmer to Food Bank pilot program to enable food banks to contract with local farmers for fresh produce, and, gave $50,000 to farmers markets to purchase equipment that will allow them to accept wireless electronic food stamps.
• Held successful Local Farms Healthy Kids celebration and fundraiser at Café Flora in Seattle.
• WSDA’s new strategic ag assessment, “Future of Farming” Project, galvanizes the Network to get sustainable agriculture representatives appointed to their Steering Committee; Network provides support, data and other information to above representatives; outreach to engage and empower sustainable ag advocates to participate in Future of Farming process and survey. Network in collaboration with its partners drafts and submits recommendations to WSDA.
• Network welcomes new LT members Victor Azar, Michael Grenetz, Paul Haeder, Sarah Nason and Casey Schoenberger.
• Network co-sponsors speaker series in Mount Vernon with People for Puget Sound,  Skagit Valley Food Co-op, and the Slow Food Skagit River/Salish Sea.
• Network/Ellen elected Chair of the Washington Small Farms Advisory Board (WSFAB). The WSFAB was established to provide guidence to WSDA Small Farm & Direct Marketing program and the WSU Small Farm Team. The Board consists of farmers, agricultural organizations, industry, university personnel and other stakeholder parties that discuss issues relevant to small-scale family farming and to recommend policy that ensure a vibrant food and farming industry in Washington.
• Director facilitates Local Farms Healthy Kids workshop at the BIONEERS conference in Spokane to explain the new state legislation and share stories from food service directors, parents, farmers and advocates about how schools are working hard to get local healthy food into their cafeterias.
  

• Network co-sponsors "Creating a Sustainable Future for Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest" Conference in Richland.
• Collaborates with Anti Hunger Nutrition Coalition to Host Lobby Day in Olympia in March to advocate for continued funding for WA-Grown grants to low income schools and for the Senior and WIC Farmer Market Nutrition Programs.
• Welcomes new Leadership Team members Tim Crosby, Collen Donovan, Steve Hallstrom, Gretchen Hoyt, Karen Kinney and Ricky Knue.
• In May co-sponsors well-attended Grazing Conference in Richland, WA. Review of innovative project, Beefing Up the Palouse (BUP), results using cattle as a tool to create positive changes within an ecosystem and the comprehensive environmental monitoring process that leads to diagnosis and proscribed change.
• Hosts successful fundraiser at Portage Bay Cafe in Seattle. Thanks to Amy and John Gunnar for offering their wonderful space and Chef Patrick Boin for his fabulous menu and all our hardworking farmers who donated food!
• Grants Local Farms Healthy Kids Awards to Representative Kelli Linville and Representative Kathy Haigh for their support to continue funding for the WA-Grown grant program allowing low income schools to purchase fresh food from Washington farmers.
• Funding for collaborative project with WSU, Beefing Up the Palouse ends. We thank staff member and BUP Project Manager, Maurice Robinette, for all his great work on behalf of the Network and sustainable agriculture.
• Co-sponsors with Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, WSDA Director of Department of Agriculture Dan Newhouse, King Pierce County Farm Bureau, WSU Extension, Cascade Harvet Coalition, King County and WSDA Small Farm & Direct Marketing Program and the WA State Farmers Market Asscoaition, a tour of the University District Farmers Market.
• New content managed web site is launched with the help of Groundwire (formerly ONE/Northwest).