50
¢
Strawberry social: Saturday at Methodist church Page 9
VOL. 18, NO. 47
Thursday, JUNE 27, 2013
Hundreds show for OLF forum By Justin Burnett Staff Reporter
More than 200 people turned out for a public meeting concerning Coupeville’s Outlying Field last Wednesday, many who called for the field’s closure. Held at the Recreation Hall on Alexander Street, the building’s 150-person fire capacity was quickly reached and entrances blocked. The 60 or so people unable to get inside the Recreation Hall huddled near the taped-off doorways or peeked in through open windows. The meeting was called by Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard and Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson to identify impacts and suggest mitigation strategies. However, the majority of the crowd made clear their feelings about alternative solutions. “THIS COMMUNITY, Whidbey Island, has outgrown OLF field, close it,” said Frank Scharwat, earning a round of thunderous applause and cheering. A handful of airstrip supporters were peppered throughout the crowd but they by far numbered in the minority. In fact, of the 150 inside the room, a vote showed that 138 want to see Outlying Field closed. Only 12 said the airfield should remain open. Larrie Ford, who retired from the Navy after 20 years and made his home in Coupeville, wants OLF to remain open. Wearing sweatpants with “Navy” emblazoned on them, Ford stood on the steps of the stage and argued against closing the runway. “I’m not going to lecture anyone about doing their homework but I did mine,” Ford said. “Let’s get on with life. I don’t believe in the sound of freedom technically, but freedom is not free.” BY THE time a vote was taken, many who were standing outside the Recreation Hall had left. “I felt terrible about it,” said Conard. Conard and Price Johnson scheduled the meeting thinking the Recreation Hall would provide enough space. Promotion of the event by private advocacy groups, however, swelled attendance. See OLF, page 16
Nathan Whalen photo
Four students are currently attending Greenbank Farm’s organic farm school, learning hands-on as they grow various crops. Some of the produce is for sale at the Coupeville Farmers Market.
Learning, growing in Greenbank By Nathan Whalen Staff Reporter
A small group of students hoping to cultivate a career in agriculture are busy harvesting crops at Greenbank Farm. Four students are attending the organic farm school located on about eight acres of land at what was the one-time largest loganberry producer in the United States. They are busy picking crops that are being sold at the Coupeville Farmers Market that takes place Saturdays behind the Coupeville Public Library. “Everything has been maturing much faster because the weather is so nice,” said Jessica Babcock, director of the organic farm school. In addition to the Coupeville Farmers Market, the students’ produce is also available for purchase at the Star Store in Langley and the Goose in Freeland. They are also seeking subscriptions for a the community supported agriculture program. Babcock highlighted the CSA program as a way to get students to understand the opportunities and challenges of growing a diverse set of crops through the season.
Students are picking turnips and various varieties of greens for sale, such as bok choi, spinach and arugula. The center, which opened several years ago under the auspices of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, offers particpants classroom instruction along with practical, handson training. Throughout the course of the growing season, students are exposed to every aspect of operating a small farm. They learn agricultural techniques, marketing strategies and business practices throughout the course of a growing season. The Greenbank Farm Management Group took over operations of the training center a couple of years ago. This year’s crop of students come from as far away as Georgia and California. Mitia Dion, who recently lived in Seattle,
came to Seattle because she wanted to expand her horticulture background. “I’ve always loved nature and growing plants,” Dion said while working in the field. she said she hopes to work on an organic farm and she’s interested in teaching children who don’t have access to such places. Fellow student David Hunter decided to join the farm center because he has an interest in farming. He said attending the classes in Greenbank is giving him the confidence needed to start his own farm. He was living in Berkeley, Calif., when he decided to enroll. He heard about the Whidbey-based school through Rob Schouten, a local artist who sells his work at the Greenbank See FARM, page 3