Whatcom Family Farmers

10/14/2026

A local reporter is uncovering the true history of what used to be a major Skagit Valley crop: green peas.

Sophia Gates with Cascadia Daily News extensively researched the new article, and joins Dillon with details on why commercial pea farming has almost entirely disappeared from Skagit County, giving insight into the larger struggles all farmers in the region continue to face.

10/13/2026

Get ready for flood season.
Learn what's happening to reduce risk.
Connect with local resources and share your questions.



Whatcom Ready
Whatcom County Government

10/10/2026

🔍 Did you know we actually represent two unique entities? Whatcom Family Farmers and Whatcom Family Farmers - Education are two different organizations with the same mission.

📣 As a C5 non-profit, WFF was created to work for and with our farmers through advocacy and media coordination. What started as a response to misconceptions in agriculture has grown to a focus on bringing our faming community together and providing the resources that support our family farmers.

🎒In 2016, we launched the first ever Whatcom Farm Circle field trip and began WFF-E, a C3 non-profit. As a C3, WFF-E is focused on education and has grown from one field trip to several partnerships where hundreds of students are impacted by agriculture education each year.

⭐ Yes, we are two separate entities, but together we are "Preserving the legacy and future of family farming in Whatcom County by unifying the farming community and building public support."

✉️ Want to be part of this mission? Learn more on our website today and sign up for our newsletter to stay involved with the ins and outs of family farming in Whatcom County. Thank you, community, for your continued support!

10/09/2026

Washington State's Supreme Court recently heard arguments over whether Ecology provided the technical assistance required by state law before imposing penalties. What they decide could have implications for how regulations are enforced against farmers across Washington.

10/08/2026

📣 We need you....to come volunteer with us! Whether you are familiar with Whatcom County agriculture or not, you can help us make a difference by educating the next generation and instilling in them a love for agriculture.
📍Join us on November 3-6 at the The Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center - Peoples Bank Farm Pavilion and WECU Expo Building.
⭐ We are looking for leaders to guide students through stations exploring our top Whatcom agricultural commodities. No experience required!
🚜 Many leaders walk away feeling like they learned something, too!
🥪 As a bonus, lunch is served before or after your two hour shift.
📋 Visit whatcomfamilyfarmers.org/farm-circle/volunteer or email "whatcomfarmcircle" at gmail.com to sign up!
💚 Thank you to our amazing community for the support!

10/07/2026

Recognizing you are not alone is a giant step forward. Providing resources and ways forward is another big step. Pairing that with pizza; that’s a real recipe for success.

Head to the comments to read the article by WhatcomTalk.com.

Pizza 4 Producers

10/06/2026

Farming in Washington state is in crisis, with more farms closing daily as farmers face costs that are often far exceeding what they get paid for their crops.

Sadly, this has led to worsening mental health problems among farmers, as they grapple with crushing pressures and a looming sense of failure.

State Rep. Tom Dent, a farmer himself, joins Dillon to explain how excessive state regulation has added even more unnecessary stress for farmers, and what his plan is to try to bring some relief for the people growing food in our state.

Tune in to local radio station, KGMI News/Talk 790, at 7:00 am each Saturday, and listen to the Farming Show with podcast host, Dillon Honcoop.

10/03/2026

If you use water to farm in Washington, this is a case worth watching.

The state Supreme Court is questioning whether Ecology provided the technical assistance required by law before imposing a massive fine on a Grant County farmer.

That question doesn’t stop at Grant County. What happens here could matter to farmers across Washington—including right here in Whatcom County.

Grant County, Wash., farmer Ron Fode finally presented his case to the state Supreme Court, more than nine years after being fined for irrigating hay, alfalfa and potatoes without a […]

09/30/2026

“Agriculture doesn’t operate on a factory schedule. Planting, growing and harvesting follow seasons, weather and biology, creating periods when workers traditionally have had opportunities to work longer hours and earn more before slower months arrive. Washington lawmakers have the ability to revisit the law and consider greater seasonal flexibility. The question now is whether Olympia will listen to what farmworkers themselves are saying and pursue solutions that actually work for the people the law was intended to help.”

A law intended to help Washington farmworkers may instead be reducing their opportunity to earn. A new study surveying more than 600 farmworkers found widespread concerns about reduced hours and lost income following implementation of Washington’s agricultural overtime law. That’s exactly what farmers and agricultural organizations warned could happen: faced with overtime costs they cannot absorb, farms would have to limit employees’ hours rather than simply pay time-and-a-half.

Agriculture doesn’t operate on a factory schedule. Planting, growing and harvesting follow seasons, weather and biology, creating periods when workers traditionally have had opportunities to work longer hours and earn more before slower months arrive. Washington lawmakers have the ability to revisit the law and consider greater seasonal flexibility. The question now is whether Olympia will listen to what farmworkers themselves are saying and pursue solutions that actually work for the people the law was intended to help.
https://youtube.com/shorts/mz4AL6n6MBM?feature=share

09/26/2026

💫 Will you join us in educating the next generation?

Whatcom Farm Circle is made possible by the incredible support of our community partners and sponsors. Thanks to their generosity, this hands-on agricultural experience is free for participating Whatcom County students! 💚

Will you consider joining us as a sponsor? Your support helps cover:
📖 Student Activity Journals (thank you Whatcom Conservation District for covering this sponsorship!)
🎒Student Materials and take-home items
👩‍🌾 Volunteer and station leader support
🚌 Transportation grants for schools with limited funding
🌾 Follow-up curriculum, farm tours & learning experiences

When you become a Whatcom Farm Circle sponsor, you are helping ensure that students from across Whatcom County can participate and learn about agriculture, no matter which school they attend. By investing in agricultural education today, you are helping prepare the next generation to become informed community members, consumers, and future leaders. 🌱🐄🥕

We’re so grateful to the businesses, organizations, farmers, and individuals who invest in agricultural education and help us grow the next generation. Thank you for helping Whatcom Farm Circle grow! 🌻❤️