Country Life June 2016

Country Life 2 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

An open house

In Bloom

Garden success made easier

By David Vos

Whether you’re a novice gardener or lifelong green thumb, you’ve undoubtedly learned that gardening requires dedicated upkeep.

But as someone who loves to garden — and help others do the same — I’m always on the lookout for easier ways to get better results. If you’re interested in ways to make your garden successful with less effort, here are some tips to try this summer.

First, choose the right plants to fit your needs. If you’re planting mostly in sun or shade, realize you’ll need to select appropriate plants for the sun exposure they’ll have. Or if you regularly forget to water or your planters aren’t easily accessed with water, choose drought-tolerant flowers that don’t need a lot of care.

For instance, one of the

most low-maintenance flowers available is also one of the most versatile: fibrous-rooted (or wax-leaf ) begonias.

Full sun to full shade, these hardy plants require minimal water and little care — and they’ll look great all the way until frost.

Second, choose plants that continue to bloom freely through summer without the need to deadhead. One of my all-time favorites for containers, hanging baskets and even in the ground is calibrachoa, or million bells. Available in a plethora of colors, these miniature petunia-like flowers require no deadheading to keep blooming all summer.

Two of my favorite colors that have come out in recent years are Superbells Lemon Slice and Grape Punch. From a distance, Lemon Slice appears a soft yellow, but up close it has a vibrant, bright yellow flower with prominent white stripes. Grape Punch also has a two-tone appearance, but with a deep purple center on each bloom ringed with a lighter shade of lavender. If you’re looking for that extra something to make your containers pop, either of these calibrachoa are an easy way to add color with minimal care.

Third, understand that while very few plants will grow and flourish without fertilizing, feeding your plants

Invited guests enjoyed food, live music and tours at the Lynden Preferred Freezer Services building on West Main Street June 1. It was to celebrate the completion of the new 11-million-cubic-foot warehouse in about five months last year. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) doesn’t have to be difficult.

Slow-release fertilizers are great for shrubs and perennials, but for high-powered bloomers like summer annuals, a water-soluble fertilizer supplies nutrients much faster and will keep your plants growing and blooming strong throughout the season.

I know fertilizing with a water-soluble plant food can seem like a daunting task, however, especially if you have lots of flowers or containers around the house.

Who wants to mix a dozen

watering cans of fertilizer once a week when you can just drag the hose around and give them plain ol’ water instead?

To get great results from feeding weekly without the need to mix all those batches of fertilizer, I rely on a simple age-old tool: a fertilizer siphon. This basic contraption attaches to my outdoor faucet between the faucet and my garden hose. A small feeder tube draws concentrated fertilizer solution from a bucket set next to the faucet and

adds just the right amount of plant food right into the hose — and voilà, I can drag the hose around and still feed my plants at the same time.

An alternative to the siphon is a hose-end fertilizer sprayer, but until now most sprayers applied fertilizer unevenly, starting with a high dose of plant food and slowly watering it down as you sprayed. A new sprayer, though, solves that problem by creating a fertilizer solution and applying it evenly through the duration of

your feeding. The Exact Mix sprayer, made by JR Peters, is an easy way to feed as you water — and you’ll know that all your plants are getting the right dose of fertilizer.

Although gardening is work, it doesn’t have to be difficult, and with the right knowledge and proper tools, you too can achieve gardening success with minimal effort this summer.

David Vos is the general manager of VanderGiessen Nursery.

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Country Life

Gardening • CL2 Dairy • CL6 FFA • CL7

Special Section • Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Salmon habitat group getting its own digs NSEA raising last 10 percent of $1.2 million campaign

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

BELLINGHAM ­— Quietly and mostly out of view for the past three years, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Assocation has been building its springboard for the future.

On 6.3 choice acres off East Bakerview Road, a new base of operations for Whatcom County stream habitat restoration is taking shape. An existing house has been converted to offices, a new shop building is nearly complete, and a “teaching garden” dramatically illustrates what ideally recreated salmon habitat looks like.

It’s been a time of setting up a place to call home “so we can get on with what we do best — stream restoration,” said Dorie Belisle, an NSEA board member.

But the goal is not quite reached yet.

For one thing, a new 1,600-square-foot structure must still be built providing equipment storage and meeting space for any who are broadly involved in the NSEA cause.

“We want this to be a hub for everybody focused on salmon recovery,” said Adrian Shulock, development manager, of what is only a design on paper so far.

Shulock is the point person for a $1.2 million campaign that is now at about 90 percent and seeks to enlist general Whatcom County support toward the final goal.

“We are ready to go for that last push,” Belisle said.

In fact, they can be spe-

cific. They would like to raise the last $126,000 by June 30.

The outcome will be a stable and secure financial footing for NSEA — like that of a homeowner finally enjoying one’s own place — after 25 years of operating out of living rooms, garages, warehouses, barns and old houses to sustain the mission, the organization’s leaders say.

The truly ultimate goal, Shulock adds, is to bring back all species of natural salmon to the streams of Whatcom County.

How this came about For 14 years NSEA was in a lease with Western Washington University on more visible property just around the corner and up Bakerview at the corner with Hannegan Road.

When Western gave notice of lease termination in 2013, NSEA was pushed into some long-term planning.

While another option or two came along, it was this property of former board member Todd Jones and his Fourth Corner Nurseries that emerged as the ideal spot.

Todd was willing to move his operation to Sand Road and sell this land.

No fish-bearing stream is directly on site (wetlands are), but NSEA is quite familiar with working on stretches of Squalicum Creek nearby.

As Jones generously leased toward an eventual sale, the organization worked through the various requirements of a county conditional-use permit, from bolstering the house’s floor joists to adding an exterior ramp for full ADA compliance.

It all became official with the $490,000 purchase of the land and buildings last July, the biggest piece of the $1.2 million campaign.

Six local FFA teams qualify for nationals Two from LC, one from Lynden, three from Baker

Dorie Belisle, board member, and Adrian Shulock, development manager, stand at the entrance to the new NSEA site. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) It gives NSEA “a good base that we can grow with,” Shulock says. “We’ve unlocked new potential.”

The other areas of need are summarized as: infrastructure, site development, existing site improvements, management expenses and contingency.

Meanwhile, the organization stays busy each season on the core tasks that define what it is about: upgrading stream habitat in Whatcom County, planting native species on streambanks, removing obstacles to salmon migration, doing education programs, and monitoring fish and watershed health.

On site now The display just inside the main entrance offers a vivid picture of what restored salmon habitat can look like. With five life-sized carved salmon suspended from a pergola See NSEA on CL3

Farms’ anaerobic digestion the field day topic at 8:30 a.m. Thursday LYNDEN — Washington State University researchers and their commercial partners will talk about anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery, and lessons learned over the past three years, during an Anaerobic Digestion Systems Field Day on Thursday, June 9.

This free event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bus transportation will be provided to Edaleen Dairy and Honcoop Farms from parking at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building, 1775 Front St. Topics to be covered are: fine solids recovery, advanced nutrient recovery approaches, nutrient recovery products and their agronomic use, water quality and food safety

issues, economics and the potential for integration of biochar with anaerobic digestion systems.

The WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources hosts.

Registration to ensure ample lunch and bus transportation is now past. However, organizer Brooke Saari may still take folks by a direct contact to her at brooke.saari@wsu.edu.

• A WSU Small Grains Field Day will be Thursday, June 23, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the WSU research center in Mount Vernon. This seventh annual event offers the opportunity to wander through field trials and observe variety trials of winter and spring wheat, barley and oats as well as spring rye, spelt, buckwheat and perennial wheat. It’s possible to meet with the researchers for answers about growing small grains in western Washington.

WHATCOM ­— At least six local high school FFA teams have won their state contests and will be going to national competition in Indianapolis in October. That may be a record for local FFA. (See photos on inside pages.)

Lynden Christian will send two teams in the areas of agricultural mechanics, and farm business management. LC’s veterinary science team was runner-up to Ferndale.

Lynden High School qualified its team in livestock judging.

Mount Baker qualified three teams in agricultural communication, food science and forestry.

This is the ninth time in 10 years that Mt. Baker FFA has placed first in state in the forestry contest.

The three students who won in agricultural communications — Ruth Pilat, Kendal Schorr and Morgan Zender — are returning together to nationals, having been Mount Baker’s state-winning floriculture team in 2014.

Adviser Tamara Whitcomb said all the Mount Baker teams will continue practices right up to the national competition, which includes several new elements. Donations to support the teams will be welcome.

Contact Whitcomb (556-1505) or Todd Rightmire (961-8556) or mail a check directly to Mt. Baker FFA Boosters, P.O. Box 162, Deming, WA 98244.

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Country Life 8 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

The 86th Washington FFA Convention

The Lynden High School FFA Livestock Judging Team placed first in the state contest held in Spokane on May 4. The team will go on to nationals in Indianapolis in October. From left are: seated, Lindsay Eldred (second place individually), Hannah Rusk (19th), Zane Gavette (10th) and Luke Wolfisberg (sixth); standing, coaches Elizabeth Gavette and Juan Gavette. (Courtesy photo/Colleen Wolfisberg)

The Mount Baker FFA Forestry Team won state on April 29 in Eatonville. From left are: front row, Shylee Cloninger, Morgan Zender, Mia Villaluz; back row, Jason Wigen, Asa Morris (first individually), Lincoln Grimes (third), Wyatt Marsing (fifth), Nick Tanis (second), Dallas Tyus and Dan Lyng. Wigen, Tyus and Lyng, in FFA jackets, are state FFA officers, not Forestry team members. (Courtesy photo/Todd Rightmire)

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The Mount Baker FFA Agricultural Communications Team won state May 13 in Pullman. From left are students Ruth Pilat (first individually), Morgan Zender (eight) and Kendal Schorr and adviser Tamara Whitcomb. (Courtesy photo/Todd Rightmire)

The Mount Baker FFA Food Science Team took first in state May 12 in Pullman. From left are students Hayden Linderman, Emily Treadaway, Erica Brown, Angie Tikhonov (fifth individually) and Kolton Zender. (Courtesy photo/Tamara Whitcomb)

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Country Life 7 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

The 86th Washington FFA Convention

The Lynden Christian FFA Farm Business Management Team placed first in the state contest held in Pullman. The team will go on to nationals in Indianapolis in October.

From left are: adviser Jill McKee, students Brittany TeVelde (first place individually), George DeJong (second), Gerrit Sterk (third), Nathan Van Dellen (fifth), Duncan Sterk (sixth), Elea VanWeerdhuizen (seventh) and Karibeth Engelsma (ninth), and adviser Mike Ruble. (Courtesy photo/Becky VanHofwegen)

The Lynden Christian FFA Milk Quality and Products Team placed fourth in the state. From left are: adviser Gerrit Van Weerdhuizen, Kyle Polinder, Tim VanDalen and Jordan Blok; Faith Arnold is not pictured. (Courtesy photo/Becky VanHofwegen)

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Country Life 6 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

State Dairy Ambassador June 25 event at new venue, Tacoma Convention Center Tickets must be pre-ordered TACOMA — The 2016 Washington State Dairy Ambassador coronation event will be held on Saturday, June 25, at a new location, the ballroom of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Broadway. Seating will begin at 5 p.m., with the program starting promptly at 5:30.

Tickets will not be sold at the door. For ticket information, contact Gloria Edwards at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or 360-273-7313.

“In past years we had to limit the number of tickets sold, but this location has plenty of room. There are many museums and other activities in downtown Tacoma to enjoy before the evening event,” Edwards said.

The Dairy Ambassador program provides a great professional and educational opportunity for young women in Washington State.

Those chosen to serve as “ambassadors for milk” receive a generous college scholarship, internships and extensive communications training.

The outgoing state Dairy Ambassadors are Nicole Buell of Marysville and alternates Amanda Howe of Bellingham and Lydia Johnson of Ethel.

“They have done a fantastic job representing the Dairy Farmers of Washing-

Jana Plagerman is the Whatcom entrant. ton this past year and I’m sure they will continue to be lifelong advocates of our industry. We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter in their lives,” said Tammi Schoenbachler, state ambassador advisor.

Six now compete for the position of the 61st Washington State Dairy Ambassador: • Becca Bartelheimer,

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Snohomish County • Allyson Carothers, Snohomish County • Caitlin Meek, Grays Harbor County • Tiana Peterson, King and Pierce counties • Jana Plagerman, Whatcom County • Alicia Smaciarz, Lewis County This is the profile for

MiElkE Market

Benchmark milk price at seven-year low The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday announced the May Federal Order Class III milk price at $12.76 per hundredweight (cwt.), down 87 cents from April. That’s $3.43 below May 2015 and the lowest Class III since September 2009’s $12.11.

It equates to about $1.10 per gallon, down 7 cents from April. The five-month Class III average now stands at $13.53, down from $15.84 a year ago and a much-longed-for $22.94 in 2014.

Class III futures portend a June price of $13.16, July $13.91, August $14.56 and September at $15 per cwt.

The 2016 peak would be only $15.32 in November.

California’s May 4b cheese milk price is $11.37 per cwt., down $1.34 from April, $3.26 below a year ago and $1.39 below the Federal Order Class III price. It’s the lowest 4b price since March 2010.

Rising milk production both at home and abroad is resulting in reduced American exports, rising inventory levels and downward pressure on the markets.

Jana Plagerman: She is a daughter of Leroy and Rhonda Plagerman, 20 years old and a graduate of Whatcom Community College. Jana works on her family’s dairy farm, where she is responsible for many different jobs including calf and cow care,

Block cheddar cheese closed the holiday-shortened week at $1.44 per pound, up 6 cents but 27.5 cents below a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.4450, up a half-cent on the week but 19.75 cents below a year ago.

Cheese vats are running at or near full capacity in the Midwest, says Dairy Market News, and June shows little to no sign of slowing although contacts are optimistic for continual growth in sales.

Butter remains the “silver lining” in the dark cloud, closing June 3 at $2.10 per pound, up 3.5 cents on the week and 20 cents above a year ago.

Butter production is milking, breeding and field work. Jana plans to further her education by getting her degree in dairy science or agribusiness to help be the best possible dairy farmer and advocate for the dairy industry.

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steady, says DMN. Demand is consistent but cream remains plentiful and readily available.

Stocks are building.

Cash nonfat dry milk closed June 1 at 81.25 cents per pound, up 1.75 cents on the week but 6.75 cents below a year ago.

Meanwhile, a lower AllMilk price and higher feed prices lowered the latest milk feed price ratio. The April ratio is 1.97, down from 2.08 in March and the lowest ratio since May 2015.

Dan McBride of the Northwest Dairy Association made these price projections for the Class III price and Pacific Northwest blend price: Month Class PNW III Blend May $12.76 $13.55 (current) June $13.15 $13.75 July $13.90 $14.30 Aug. $14.55 $14.90 Sept. $15.00 $15.30 Oct. $15.20 $15.55 Nov. $15.30 $15.65 Dec. $15.30 $15.55 Lee Mielke, of Lynden, is editor of the Mielke Market Weekly. Whatcom County has about 100 dairy farms.

4-H Reports BARNYARD KIDS Reporter: Rafe Wolfisberg The Barnyard Kids 4-H Club meeting was called to order on May 10 at 7:15 p.m. at the Baremans’ home. Kai Wolfisberg led the Pledge of Allegiance and Abby Bareman led the 4-H pledge. Roll call was taken by Rafe Wolfisberg, then minutes from our last meeting also were read by Rafe.

We had a treasurer’s report from Caleb Bareman. Project reports were done by Addy DeJong and Alexis Oostra.

Then activity reports were done by Michael Bareman on the Springtime Youth Calf Sale; Rafe Wolfisberg on the Youth Fair (where Barnyard Kids’ silent auction basket got first); Kai Wolfisberg on the annual Dairy Quiz Bowl competition; and Alexis Oostra on the Evergreen Junior Dairy Show.

We discussed old business, then went on to the very successful Whatcom County Youth Fair in Lynden and Evergreen Junior Dairy Show held in Monroe.

In new business, there will be a practice judging on Saturday, June 21, at Tim Vanderhaaks dairy on Jackman Road at 9:30 a.m. and then we will go to the Zweegman dairy on Double Ditch at 11 a.m.; lunch will be provided at the Zweegmans. Also, for anyone planning on entering animals in the Northwest Washington Fair, dairy certificates were due in by June 1, and you can already sign up for fair parking passes.

Members present took a vote and decided to have our next meeting on May 26 at the Baremans’ home, where dinner will be provided and we will do our annual flower box planting.

We then were told the results of the Hoards Dairyman judging competition. Since it was our club leader Joanne Odens’ birthday, we had a cake and sang her “Happy Birthday.”

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Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com • C5

MOOSTACHE

June is National Dairy Month

MOOSTACHE

2016 Whatcom County Dairy Ambassador: Jill and Claire Leininger, Alternate

"

"

It is a great honor and privilege to represent and serve the hardworking dairy farmers of Whatcom County. I am proud to represent the dairy industry that I have grown up in and love. Please join me in recognizing and thanking our dairy farmers for the wholesome dairy products they produce, their care for the environment, their contribution to our communities, and for their dedication, hard work, and their commitment to making Whatcom County a wonderful place to live.

DeJager

- Jill DeJager, 2016 Whatcom County Dairy Ambassador

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EPL Feed LLC proudly celebrates National Dairy Month!

Main Office: 411 West Front St. • Sumas, WA Phone: (360) 988-5811 • Fax: (360) 988-0411 1-800-821-6288 Othello, WA 1-800-572-6454

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Your local hometown lenders.

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Country Life 3 • Wednesday, June 8, 2016 • lyndentribune.com | ferndalerecord.com

Farmers take ownership of Puget Sound Food Hub Cloud Mountain continues as a Whatcom County aggregation site WHATCOM ­— The Puget Sound Food Hub will become a farmer-owned cooperative ­— that was a decision of the organization’s Farmer Advisory Committee in May. The hub provides a webbased platform and aggregation and distribution services for regional farms. This past year, more than 60 farms used the network and sold to 220 customers throughout the Puget Sound area.

The unique feature of the Puget Sound Food Hub is that the sales transactions are directly between the farmer and buyer, with the farm name identified throughout the transaction including the web site, invoice and case label. The system enables a buyer to purchase from multiple farms, but the product arrives on one truck with one invoice. A buyer selects and purchases products via the web site. Farmers are notified via email and then harvest, pack and deliver the products to an aggregation site, where they are combined with other farms’ product to be routedelivered to multiple buyers.

The Cloud Mountain Farm Center east of Everson is the aggregation site for

As the Puget Sound Food Hub became a cooperative, members of the advisory committee and new board of directors were together in May. (Courtesy photo) Whatcom County farmer contributors.

Mike Finger, owner of Cedarville Farm on Goshen Road, began selling through the Puget Sound Food Hub during the 2015 season. “We are farmer-owners who fully understand the value and importance of farming, and who have cultivated rich and rewarding relationships with the people, communities and markets we serve. It is an honor to take on the ownership and responsibility for the continued and long-

term success of the Puget Sound Food Hub.” In 2012 the Puget Sound Food Hub began as a partnership between the Northwest Agriculture Business Center and 21 Acres, which provided the first “hub” aggregation site and distribution services into the Seattle market for King and Snohomish county farms.

In 2013 NABC and 21 Acres joined forces with Bow Hill Blueberries, providing cold and freezer storage aggregation for the North Sound

Devastating WNS bat fungus found in state Here’s advice on how to avoid spreading it; bats are key ecologically PORTLAND — This summer, visitors using public lands are encouraged to help fight the spread of white-nose syndrome and save bats in the Pacific Northwest.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that has devastated bat populations in eastern North America, killing an estimated six million bats since 2006. In March 2016 Washington’s first case of WNS was confirmed 30 miles east of Seattle.

WNS is primarily spread by bat-to-bat contact. Pets, other animals and humans and their equipment — including clothing, footwear and gear — can transfer spores of the fungus to new locations. The disease is not known to pose a threat to humans, pets or other animal species.

To avoid the spread of WNS, federal land management and state wildlife agencies ask that visitors to bat-friendly locations — such as caves, rock cliffs, buildings, talus areas, talus caverns, mines or humanmade structures — follow

Six million bats have been killed by white-nose syndrome since 2006. these important recommendations: • Whenever possible, avoid disturbing bats and entering areas where bats may be living. This includes abandoned mines, caves and abandoned buildings and structures.

• Do not handle bats, as they have reduced energy and fat stores in the spring following a lengthy hibernation. Some bats can carry the rabies virus, a deadly disease carried by less than 1 percent of Pacific Northwest bats.

• Report sick, injured and dead bats, or groups of bats. In Washington, report such findings to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at www.wdfw. wa.gov/bats.

• Prohibit dogs from accessing areas where bats may be roosting.

People who come into contact with areas where bats live should follow these steps to keep from spreading the WNS fungus: • Clean shoes and clothing of any dirt or mud before

entering and after exiting a cave or climbing area, and change into clean clothing and shoes before entering a vehicle to leave.

• Wear different footwear at each visit to a cave or climbing area, unless completely cleaned after each visit.

• Wash hands and exposed skin after each visit to a cave or climbing area.

• Wash clothing, hats, gear and shoes worn in caves in hot, soapy water at 131 degrees F or hotter for at least 20 minutes. Clean equipment that cannot be washed with alcohol wipes if the wipes will not damage the equipment.

Wildlife agencies including the WDFW, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with land management partners the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U. S. Geological Survey, are cooperating in the response efforts with many other state, local and private organizations.

Bats play an important role in a healthy environment and economy, eating tons of crop and forest pests and saving farmers billions of dollars each year.

Additional resources and information may be found at www.whitenosesyndrome.org.

Food Hub, allowing customer pick-ups several days a week and serving farm and business customers in Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. In 2014 Cloud Mountain Farm Center was added as a third aggregation site, providing delivery to Whatcom and Skagit customers.

Terri Hanson, NABC’s project manager for the Puget Sound Food Hub, has provided management and administrative services for the Hub over the past two

years. The cooperative determined to continue with this arrangement and has contracted with NABC for continued services.

Established in 2006, NABC provides northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers. Its main office is located in Mount Vernon.

NSEA

ing that will be half storage and half community meeting room — “a convening space,” Shulock calls it.

He sees community members, tribes, government agencies, students and more all coming here to work toward the goal of restoring local salmon runs.

Continued from CL1 frame, it’s an impressive collage of rock, logs, bark, tree roots and native plantings.

Architect Sid Nesbit, a longtime NSEA friend, has lent his expertise to the design here, and also of an adjoining open-air “potting shed” where another veteran friend, Mike McRorie, keeps working away on volunteer construction.

This will be where, twice a year at least, potting parties will transplant tiny starts into the 15,000 pots of small trees and shrubs needed for spring and fall planting at sites in the wild.

The shop building, with an upper loft area and vehicle storage below, is one spot that specifically needs $15,000 to be completed, Belisle reports. This will finally mean secure storage of trucks, backhoes and such, now parked in scattered places.

The campaign still has a number of naming opportunities available, and any gift of $1,000 or more will be publicly credited on site, Shulock said.

Pioneer Post Frame of Ferndale has been a key contractor, and many types of building specialties have come into play as well — plumbing, electrical, well drilling, office renovation and more.

“We’ve had a large number of supporters be very generous with what they have charged us,” Belisle said. “We’ve had a lot of community support.”

Two existing garage-like buildings on site at first were thought to be salvageable.

They are used for small gear storage now, from shovels to boots. But the consensus of builder opinion is that it’s best to take the two structures down and replace them with a new 16,000-square-foot single build-

Already a partnership It already is a partnership to make NSEA work.

Added to a core staff of seven, there may be as many as 40 interns of different types working in Whatcom County, which is one of a dozen basin-based salmon restoration groups in western Washington.

NSEA is blessed to have so many institutions of higher learning — Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College and Northwest Indian College — close by, often offering cadres of trained and eager young volunteers.

Generally, about six are in crews of the Washington Conservation Corps, with funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology, and a like number are available through the AmeriCorps national public service organization. The terms of service are typically 10 months.

Shulock says the commitment in natural resources restoration of these college-age workers is “a great resource.”

Farm Bureau scholarship winners chosen WHATCOM ­— The county Farm Bureau announces the awarding of $1,000 scholarships to three local high school graduates: Jake Kroontje, son of John and Lesa Kroontje, is graduating from Lynden Christian High School and plans to attend Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. He will major in mechanical engineering to study equipment design.

“My passions and experiences are a natural fit for a career in mechanical engineering and equipment fabrication and design,” he said. Jake served as president of his 4-H club and also has a beef herd of his own. He is a member of a musical group called Westfalia that plays at events in the community.

Erika Ebe, daughter of Greg and Mary Ebe, is graduating from Ferndale High School and will attend Chapman University in Orange, California.

Erika plans to major in health sciences on the pre-med track.

She has served in the state officer position of secretary of the Washington Career and Technical Sports Medicine Association. “My involvement in sports medicine over the last four years has shown me that I love to help others and learn about the human body,” she said.

Blake TeVelde, son of Dale and Lori TeVelde, is a Whatcom County native and a Washington State University undergraduate. He is seeking a degree in agricultural food systems with a major in agricultural technology and production management and a business minor.

Blake won the American FFA Degree and competed in four different contests at the national FFA level. He is president of the WSU Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers, and he believes the Farm Bureau can have a great influence on the future of agriculture both through agriculturalists and regular citizens and government officials.

They represent a tripling of the initial cost investment for NSEA. In the campaign, Shulock especially highlights: the spirit and actual contributions of Mike and Elaine McRory; BP North America on converting the house into offices; Alcoa Foundation’s aid with a well and plant irrigation systems; the local commercial fishing industry; the Eleanor and Henry Jansen Foundation as a first-time donor; and businesses Bellingham Cold Storage and BelleWood Acres. Belisle said the staff and board of NSEA were 100 percent on board with their donations.

To make a contribution: 1) go to the NSEA website at www.n-sea.org/capital-campaign; 2) send a check to NSEA at P.O. Box 32594, Bellingham, WA 98228 (memo Campaign).

A

TREAT Your Tastebuds 7655 Melody Lane, Ferndale • 360-384-1260

Be Loyal, Buy Local!

Cascade Blueberry Farm 2667 Willeys Lake Rd., Custer • 360-366-5188 kamaddux@hotmail.com • Kevin & Bianca Maddux Agritourism, Farmers Market, Farm Stand, Phone Orders, Wholesale Family owned and operated since 1985.

Farm stand open 10am to 6pm, seven days a week, May 1st to October 1st.

Veggie starts, hanging baskets, vegetables and blueberries available in season. (Blueberries available August 1st)

354-4764 815-1344

Visit our picturesque mini-farm offering U-pick/We-pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & blackberries.

Frozen berries offered year-round.

Go where the locals go, pick up your FREE Food & Farm Finder and plan your next foodie getaway right here in Whatcom County

Open Monday-Saturday 9-6, Sunday 10-4

Call ahead for fruit availability and orders.

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Come see us at either location for all of your yard and gardening needs Everson 302 W Main St • (360)966-3352 Lynden 421 Birch Bay Lynden Rd • (360) 354-3300

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Medium and Fine Bark, Sawdust Shavings and Hog Fuel 360-384-5487 • 360-734-8818

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BelleWood Acres Blaine Chamber & Gardeners Market Boundary Bay Brewery Boxx Berry Farm Crossroads Grocery Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Lynden Chamber of Commerce Mount Baker Vineyards The Woods Coffee . . . and many many more local businesses throughout Whatcom County!

1546 Slater Rd., Ferndale, WA, 98248

Choose local businesses taking action for a healthy community.