WSU Regional Small Farms Program: Q&A with The Russell Family Foundation

With 39 locations throughout the state, Washington State University (WSU) Extension is the front door to the University. WSU Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities. The program collaborates with communities to create a culture of life-long learning and is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high-quality, unbiased educational programs. In Kitsap, WSU Extension has a long-standing relationship with the farming community through the WSU Regional Small Farms Program.

WSU Regional Small Farms is a program that provides education, technical assistance, and resources to farmers across Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap counties. Since 2015, the Food and Farms team in these counties have worked closely with farmers and community members to build a profitable farming system, to promote land and water stewardship, and to ensure that community members have access to healthy food.

How is your organization addressing the climate crisis?

The WSU Regional Small Farms program and broader WSU Extension based agriculture education system play a crucial role in addressing climate change by promoting climate-smart practices through education and resources to farmers and communities. Through accessible workshops and trainings, farm walks, and on farm technical assistance, these services educate farmers on sustainable practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, efficient water use and more. Additionally, WSU Extension conducts research on climate adaptation and smart practices that translate into real solutions for our farming communities. Collectively these efforts help build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of facing the challenges posed by climate change.

How does it serve historically excluded communities?

WSU Extension is dedicated to inclusivity and ensuring equitable access to education, resources, and assistance in the communities we serve. Through the WSU Regional Small Farms program and WSU Kitsap Extension, we reach historically excluded communities by offering both online and in-person classes throughout our tri-county area. Our small farms programming is designed to support socially disadvantaged, underrepresented groups, women, and veteran farmers by meeting them where they are at in their farming journeys. By offering tailored class topics and personalized one-on-one technical assistance, we help thoughtfully address their specific challenges and provide the resources they need to thrive.

What programmatic areas are you looking to grow with continued support/funding?

With The Russell Family Foundation grant, we were able to shape our new and beginning farmer education initiative under the WSU Regional Small Farms program, serving farmers in Clallam, Jefferson & Kitsap counties. Those classes and farmer networking events were a huge success in 2024, and we plan to expand on this momentum over the next few years by building out a more standardized series of classes designed to help people of all experience levels develop self-sufficiency through food and land-based skills, making the most of their small acreage. This series will teach traditional agricultural practices and skills to help minimize waste, reduce impact and increase sustainability. Our hope is to establish this as an annual offering for farmers throughout our tri-county area.

Additionally, we will be strengthening our efforts in Kitsap County through our existing Kitsap Farm Mentor program. Co-developed by local farmers and the WSU Extension office in Kitsap County, the program provides a multidisciplinary study into sustainable agriculture for new and beginning farmers as well as farm interns. Farm mentors provide their chosen interns with comprehensive instruction in the operations of their own farm, while farm-based learning is enriched by monthly intensive workshops in conjunction with WSU Kitsap. These workshops cover critical topics such as livestock systems, soil management, season extension, farm efficiencies, crop planning, and the business of farming. A key element of our support to farm mentors includes dedicated staff time and resources from WSU. With partner support, we aim to expand the program, ensuring our farm mentors can continue educating the next generation of farmers in our community.