Support local agriculture

"Locally sourced (grown) foods are good for you, good for the local economy and good for the environment, everybody wins.  This resource can thrive if supported by those you elect to represent you."

According to a November 2010 (most recent) report from the Jefferson County Economic Development Council aka Team Jefferson, the local food and farm cluster is a growth industry for Jefferson County.  In the same report, The Washington Employment Security Department estimates agriculture to be on of the fastest growing clusters in Jefferson County.

Sales at the Port Townsend and Chimacum Farmers' markets for 2013 were over one million dollars ($1,057,000.00), money spent here that stays here.  The Food Coop posts over ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) in annual sales with much of its products purchased locally.  Buying foods locally provides a 6:1 financial return for the local economy.   Our restaurants feature local fresh fare and help build our tourism industry 

Locally grown foods are fresher, tastes better, are safer and more nutritious.  Locally sourced means no long distance transport, reducing the carbon footprint.

With global climate changes and the reduced water availability to agricultural areas in the southwest, we will become more and more dependent on what we can grow locally for what we put on our tables.  Not only vegetables, but meat, cheese and even spirits are produced in Jefferson County.

Our agricultural industry is supported by a variety of organizations such as WSU (Washington State University), Jefferson County Extension, the Landworks Collaborative, Conservation District and the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Program. These, working individually and in concert have accomplished much in preserving our rural and agricultural environment.

What is really needed, however, is for Jefferson County PUD #1 to join this effort with respect to assuring adequate water for the local growers and producers.  The Washington State Department of Ecology manages our water supply.  We are in WIRA 17 (Water Resource Inventory Area 17), Quilcene-Snow Watershed.  Significant restrictions have been imposed on the taking of water for domestic and farm use to assure adequate water flows in streams and creeks to support spawning for endangered salmon stocks.

Our PUD should step up and work with the state and the other organizations to support our local agricultural industry, not only for the economic benefit to our area, but to assure an abundance of healthy, locally grown food on our tables and to protect the environment and our rural way of life.

If I am elected, this would be one of my priorities.

Thanks
Tony