Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Farmers, county leaders to share ideas By Noah Haglund Herald Writer MARYSVILLE — Snohomish County leaders and farmers might reap some fertile ideas during next week’s Focus on Farming Conference. A past conference led to the county’s ongoing project to process locally grown canola and mustard seed into biodiesel for its vehicle fleet. County Executive Aaron Reardon hopes more innovations will sprout from this year’s event on Nov. 5 at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Marysville. “What this conference is highlighting is what is being done across the country to preserve farmland and keep farmers in business,” Reardon said. “It’s become much more of a statewide farming conference, not just Snohomish County.” Since 2004, Focus on Farming has brought together farmers, business people and policy makers. The theme this year is “Growing Together.” There are new classes on wine-making and nursery development. Speakers include author David “Mas” Masumoto and former New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus. Cowboy poet Baxter Black is scheduled to serve up evening entertainment. A gourmet lunch featuring local farm fare breaks up the day of workshops. The evening ends with a tasting from Washington wineries and artisan cheese makers. A summit on land-use and water policy is planned Nov. 4, the day before the farming conference. Among the major topics is balancing successful farming and habitat conservation. Noah Haglund: 425-339-3466, nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Focus on Farming Snohomish County hosts its sixth annual Focus on Farming Conference at the Tulalip Resort Casino conference center on Nov. 5. For more information, or to register, go to www.focusonfarming.org. A county Land-Use and Water Policy Summit will be held at the same location from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 4. To sign up, contact county agricultural coordinator Ryan Hembree: ryan.hembree@snoco.org or 425-388-7112. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Victim of alleged burglary now a suspect in killing 2. Everett home winery halted 3. Nearly 2,000 turn out for Stevens Pass opening day 4. Man dies while working to clear storm debris 5. New taxes possible in 2010 6. Dramatic photo captures dramatic weather 7. Death at Boeing plant in Kent was suicide 8. Longtime judge’s life and work remembered 9. Stanwood welcomes return of the train 10. Fugitive Watch 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Eat local this Thanksgiving • Mavericks moving on • Canada's Great Big Sea rolls into Edmonds • A. Murphy finishes 2nd in volleyball • Art Walk features music, demonstrations • EAT LOCAL: Getting the goods • Lynnwood HS history teacher Vic Bennet dies • Wildcats head to semis • CSO Chamber annual show slated Nov. 23 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million