As part of a larger tour of the North Sound, the WCD staff and Board welcomed a small group (14) of distinguished EPA and WSDA directors, policy makers, and administrators to Whatcom County on August 10th.  These included Larry Elworth, EPA National Agricultural Councilor to the Administrator, and Dan Newhouse, Director of the Washington Dept of Ag. The group came to learn more about our unique agricultural industries and how farmers are working proactively to address environmental issues. Winding its way through the County’s riparian, berry, hobby farm, international boundary, and dairy areas, the group stopped at the dairy owned and operated by Terry and Troy Lenssen.

There were frank exchanges over the economic and environmental challenges dairy producers faced.  Afterwards, the producers were impressed with the attitudes and genuine concern that the agency folks exhibited.  Troy Lenssen, who is also in the Ag Forestry program, commented that “it is important for us producers to keep a face on Ag and [let EPA know] who their work affects”. The tour was a great opportunity for producers to be heard and for the agency representatives to see what farmers have accomplished in the way of protecting and enhancing the environment. Contrary to what is commonly believed about bureaucrats, this group was very receptive to understanding the balance between practicality, economics, and environmental protection and they supported WCD’s efforts in creating tools for farmers to do just that.

During the tour, Henry Bierlink, Executive Director of Whatcom Farm Friends, presented many of the challenges crop farmers are currently facing (i.e., new pests, food safety concerns, pesticide buffers, fumigation restrictions). After the tour, he expressed his appreciation for “the opportunity to have this conversation with several EPA officials who have significant responsibilities in this area.”

The Puget Sound is facing increasing pressures to reduce nutrient and pathogen pollution to surface and ground water. While many agricultural operations have made great strides in this area, there is still room for improvement. Accomplishing this will take tools and guidance that are effective and easily applied. The WCD was recently (July, 2010) awarded an EPA Watershed grant to develop an innovative Application Risk Management (ARM) system. This new tool, and the research accompanying it, should give producers more flexibility and control to improve crop yields and avoid polluting water and air. As dairy producer and WCD Board member Terry Lenssen expressed, “I wear ten different hats and they change each day. I don't have time to be a full time soil scientist so I rely on the CD staff to study and create these programs”. A tool that can help farmers understand and mitigate impacts efficiently and effectively will help improve stewardship and protect Whatcom’s valuable resources for future generations.

Karma Anderson, Region 10 Agricultural Advisor, who set up this visit, deserves a big thanks. We are hopeful that when these agency representatives go back to their offices to develop policies and regulations they will remember this tour and all those people and producers who make our County productive and beautiful. Overall, this tour and face time gave Whatcom County a chance to show its splendors and make sure it is included in talks on agricultures future in the Puget Sound.