In looking back over 15 years since the inception of Friends of the Farms, members of the board were asked to identify what they considered to be the organization’s top accomplishments.
We are proud of these accomplishments and wish to express our deep appreciation to all of the staff, board members, farmers and volunteers who have helped to make these possible.
Here is a partial list:
- facilitated the securing of 14-acre Johnson Farm as public farmland
- secured farmers for all available public farmland
- developed drafts of leases for farmers using public farmland
- developed drafts of farm policies for publicly owned farmlands
- developed 30 year lease between Friends of the Farms and the City of Bainbridge Island, adopted 2012
- prepared new farmer applications
- purchased/installed new drip irrigation for Suyematsu-Bentryn Farms at Day Rd. for environmentally-responsible watering
- established partnership with EduCulture Project for on-farm educational experiences
- created new look and identity of the organization (new name, new logo, new booth materials, new brochure)
- increased connection to the community by offering many Farm Walks and Work Parties
- coordinated total renovation of Morales Farm House with donated time and materials, thanks to the generosity of PHC Construction
- developed agricultural conservation easement for Suyematsu property on Manzanita Rd.
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- Work Party
We celebrate these accomplishments and realize the commitment from the community that these represent. Community involvement in local farming is one of the hallmarks of a truly sustainable society. So, here’s to all who show their commitment by getting involved!
We love Michael Pollan’s quote: “Shake the hand that feeds you.” By working to make these accomplishments happen, we are, in essence, saying to our local farmers, “we appreciate what you are doing to sustain our community and we are in this together.”
