It’s that time of year when Snohomish County hosts its annual agriculture conference, Focus on Farming.
This year’s event is planned for Nov. 15 at Everett’s Comcast Arena. The motto is “Feeding Our Future.”
The idea, as in years past, is to showcase the entire cycle of food production, from the muddy earth to the white tablecloth.
That includes food growing, marketing and consumption, whether livestock or crops, organic or conventional, large scale or small.
The county expects the conference to attract more than 500 participants.
Keynote speakers interspersed throughout the day will include Colin Archipley of Archi’s Acres, a farm near Escondido, Calif., which offers combat veterans training and employment in growing crops; Ann Cooper, the author and chef known as the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” who has advocated for giving children healthier school lunches; and Joe Rogoff, Whole Foods Market Pacific Northwest Regional president.
There’s also a 17,000-square-foot trade show with equipment, samples and demonstrations.
The conference gives participants the chance to attend workshops in one of seven areas: speciality crops; livestock; nurseries and greenhouses; the farming business and marketing; local grains; new farmers; and small equipment.
A gourmet lunch will feature local chefs and local products. The evening concludes with wine and cheese tasting.
Focus on Farming has been a signature event during all nine years of County Executive Aaron Reardon’s tenure.
How to register
For more information, including registering for the conference or reserving exhibit space, go to www.focusonfarming.org, or contact county agriculture coordinator Linda Neunzig at 425-388-7170 or by email at linda.neunzig@snoco.org.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
