Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance

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Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance The Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA) is a non-profit, volunteer organization.

Our mission is to support farmers, nurture community ties, and strengthen the link between our local farms and the families they feed.

OUR LOCAL FARMERS NEED MORE THAN SUPPORT… THEY NEED A VOICE!Farming in Kitsap County isn't getting any easier. Between r...
11/05/2026

OUR LOCAL FARMERS NEED MORE THAN SUPPORT… THEY NEED A VOICE!

Farming in Kitsap County isn't getting any easier. Between rising operating costs, changing regulations, development pressures, and the continued loss of farmland, our agricultural community faces some serious challenges.

And while every farm is different, many of the challenges farmers face are shared.

That's where the Mason-Kitsap County Farm Bureau comes in!

The Farm Bureau is a grassroots, nonpartisan organization that brings farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, and community supporters together to strengthen agriculture and ensure local voices are part of the conversations shaping its future.

Why does this matter here in Kitsap County?

According to information shared by the Mason-Kitsap Farm Bureau, Kitsap County lost approximately 61% of its farmland between 1997 and 2017. Statewide, Washington lost roughly 3,700 farms between 2017 and 2022.

Those aren't just numbers. They represent working lands, farm businesses, agricultural knowledge, and opportunities for future generations.

The good news? You don't have to own a farm to help make a difference!

The Farm Bureau offers three ways to become a member:

• Friend of the Farmer: For individuals and businesses who want to support local farms and local food.

• Agriculture Community Partner: For businesses, organizations, and individuals connected to agriculture.

• Farmer/Rancher: For those earning income through farming, ranching, or agritourism.

And membership is just the beginning!

The Mason-Kitsap Farm Bureau is also inviting community members to get involved with its Promotion & Engagement, Policy, Legislative, and Young Farmers & Ranchers teams.

Whether you're a fifth-generation farmer, just getting started in agriculture, running an agritourism business, or simply someone who values our local farms, there's an opportunity to participate.

At KCAA, we believe a strong agricultural community begins with people working together. Organizations like the Farm Bureau provide another opportunity to connect, share experiences, and make sure the realities of farming in Kitsap County are better understood.

We encourage our local farmers, agricultural businesses, and community supporters to learn more about the Mason-Kitsap Farm Bureau and consider becoming members.

Ready to get involved?

Join or learn about membership: https://wsfb.com/join-now

Follow the Mason-Kitsap Farm Bureau on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594212473165

Questions? Contact the Washington Farm Bureau: [email protected]

Our local agricultural community has a lot of knowledge, experience, and ideas worth sharing. The more opportunities we have to bring those voices together, the stronger our connections can become.

Are you already a Farm Bureau member? We'd love to hear about your experience and what membership has meant to you!

What if your holiday shopping could help preserve the future of farming in Kitsap County?There's a little something spec...
11/04/2026

What if your holiday shopping could help preserve the future of farming in Kitsap County?

There's a little something special about giving a gift that comes from your own community. And this year, KCAA has one that celebrates the farms, farmers, and agricultural traditions that make Kitsap County such a wonderful place to call home.

Our first-ever 2027 KCAA Holiday Calendar features 12 different Kitsap County farms, with a new farm to discover and appreciate each month!

From cattle ranches and flower farms to beekeepers, vegetable growers, livestock farmers, and more, it's a yearlong celebration of the people who help keep agriculture alive in our community.

And here's what makes this calendar even more meaningful…

Every dollar of proceeds will directly support KCAA's upcoming Farm Succession Planning Workshop in February 2027, in partnership with American Farmland Trust.

Because celebrating our local farms is important, but helping ensure they're still here for future generations is just as important.

IMPORTANT: CALENDAR PRE-SALES END NOVEMBER 20!

We're placing one bulk order after the pre-sale deadline, so now is the time to reserve yours!

Here's what you need to know:

• Calendars are just $20 each.

• FREE local pickup in early December at designated locations in North, Central, and South Kitsap.

• Shipping is available for an additional $11.95 per order.

• Calendars will arrive in time for holiday gift-giving.

• Only a limited number will be available for purchase after pre-orders close.

Pre-order your calendar here:

Local Pickup: https://www.kitsapag.org/product-page/kcaa-2027-holiday-calendar-local-pick-up

Shipping: https://www.kitsapag.org/product-page/kcaa-2027-holiday-calendar-with-shipping

Whether you're shopping for a longtime Kitsap resident, a friend who loves farming, or someone who has moved away but still calls Kitsap home, this calendar is a wonderful way to share a little piece of our agricultural community.

And of course, there's nothing wrong with getting one for yourself!

November 20 is the deadline, so don't miss your chance to enjoy 12 months of Kitsap agriculture while supporting the future of our local farms.

A big thank-you to the 12 participating farms and everyone helping make this first-ever KCAA calendar possible!

$10,000 to $50,000 in grant funding for the next generation of farmers!Starting or growing a farm takes more than hard w...
11/03/2026

$10,000 to $50,000 in grant funding for the next generation of farmers!

Starting or growing a farm takes more than hard work and a passion for agriculture. It takes land, equipment, infrastructure, and often a significant financial investment.

For younger farmers here in Kitsap County, finding the funding to turn good ideas into reality can be one of the biggest challenges.

That's why this new grant opportunity is worth a closer look!

The National Young Farmers Coalition has announced its Next Generation Farmer Fund, a nationwide initiative offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to help young farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices that strengthen their operations.

And there are plenty of possibilities for local farms!

Funding may support projects such as:

Improving soil health through cover crops, compost, or rotational grazing

Installing water catchment systems or improving irrigation efficiency

Establishing pollinator habitat and biodiversity plantings

Integrating livestock into cropland

Installing renewable energy infrastructure

Developing agroforestry or silvopasture systems

These are the kinds of improvements that can benefit both a farm's long-term productivity and the land it depends on.

Who qualifies?

Applicants must be 40 years old or younger as of December 31, 2027, actively farming or ranching during the 2027 growing season, and producing food or fiber as a significant part of their operation.

Proposed projects must introduce conservation practices that are new to the land where they'll be implemented. Additional eligibility requirements apply.

Important dates:

October 28, 2026: Applications open

November 5, 2026: FREE informational webinar

December 1, 2026: Application deadline at 11:59 PM Pacific

Don't miss the November 5 webinar!

The National Young Farmers Coalition will host an online information session on Thursday, November 5, at 4:00 PM Pacific to explain the program and answer questions from potential applicants.

It's a great opportunity to learn more about eligibility, eligible conservation projects, and the application process before submitting a proposal.

Register for the webinar here: https://support.youngfarmers.org/event/next-generation-farmer-fund-info-session/e855127

Full grant details and application information: https://youngfarmers.org/get-involved/next-generation-farmer-fund/

Here in Kitsap County, supporting the next generation of farmers is about more than helping individual businesses succeed. It's about keeping agricultural knowledge alive, investing in the health of our land, and creating opportunities for farming to remain part of our community's future.

Know a young farmer, rancher, or someone working to establish an agricultural operation? Please share this opportunity with them. A little funding at the right time can make a meaningful difference.

Source: National Young Farmers Coalition

A LEGACY WORTH PRESERVING: PLANNING FOR YOUR FARM'S FUTUREWe have some exciting news to share about a joint project we'v...
11/02/2026

A LEGACY WORTH PRESERVING: PLANNING FOR YOUR FARM'S FUTURE

We have some exciting news to share about a joint project we've been working on!

This winter, the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA) is partnering with American Farmland Trust to present an educational workshop focused on farm succession planning.

Join us on Thursday, February 25, 2027, at Farm Kitchen in Poulsbo for a day of learning, conversation, and practical guidance.

This workshop is designed to help you plan for the future of your farm, your land, and the legacy you've worked so hard to build.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our day will begin with a panel of subject matter experts, including local farmers actively working through the process of protecting their farms.

Land trust attorneys, land transfer specialists, and agricultural mediators will also join us to share their experiences and expertise.

Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to dig a little deeper through breakout sessions exploring farm protection tools and topics.

Each session will be led by a professional who can share insights, answer questions, and help farmers explore strategies for planning ahead.

LUNCH & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Lunch will be provided for all attendees, with extra time set aside for farmers to talk, connect, and share ideas with each other and other agricultural professionals.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Whether you're beginning to consider retirement, hoping to pass your farm on to the next generation, or simply wanting to explore your options, this workshop will provide a valuable opportunity to learn from those with experience and expertise in the field!

SAVE THE DATE!

When: Thursday, February 25, 2027

Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Farm Kitchen, Poulsbo, WA

Lunch: Provided for all attendees

Registration information and the full workshop agenda will be shared soon.

We look forward to bringing our farming community together for this important conversation, and we look forward to seeing you there!

IT'S TODAY! HUNDREDS OF MUSHROOMS, ONE WILD AFTERNOON... AND ADMISSION IS FREE!Looking for something fun, fascinating, a...
11/01/2026

IT'S TODAY! HUNDREDS OF MUSHROOMS, ONE WILD AFTERNOON... AND ADMISSION IS FREE!

Looking for something fun, fascinating, and a little out of the ordinary to do this Sunday?

Today, the Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society (KPMS) is taking over the Bremer Student Center at Olympic College for its 2026 Annual Wild Mushroom Show!

And when we say mushrooms, we mean LOTS of mushrooms!

Organizers expect to have around 200 different species of local fungi on display, giving visitors an opportunity to discover just how incredible the mushroom diversity is here in the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you're a seasoned mushroom hunter, a backyard gardener, a farmer, or someone who's just wondered what those strange mushrooms growing in the lawn might be, this is a great opportunity to learn something new.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY:

• See approximately 200 local species of mushrooms and fungi up close.

• Bring that mysterious mushroom you found in your yard and have an expert help identify it.

• Hear from featured experts Noah Siegel, Aaron Hilliard, and Graham Steinruck.

• Learn about growing your own edible mushrooms at home.

• Explore the Discovery Kids Zone and enjoy activities for younger mushroom enthusiasts.

• Shop for fresh local mushrooms, growing kits, books, artwork, and gifts.

• Enjoy mushroom-inspired snacks, participate in a mini-foray on campus, and come early for the Parade of Shrooms!

TODAY'S EVENT DETAILS

Sunday, November 1, 2026

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Bremer Student Center, Building 10

Olympic College, Bremerton

FREE ADMISSION! Donations are appreciated.

And here's something worth remembering...

Mushrooms aren't just interesting to look at or delicious to eat. Fungi are an important part of the natural systems that support our local farms, gardens, and forests. They help recycle nutrients, build healthy soils, and support plant life in ways most of us never see.

That's one of the reasons we love seeing organizations like KPMS bring agricultural education, ecology, and community together in such an accessible and entertaining way.

So if you're looking for a fun Sunday outing, head over to Olympic College and discover the wild world of mushrooms!

Thank you to the Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society and everyone helping make this wonderful community event possible.

Full event details:

https://kitsapmushrooms.org/event/nov-1-kpms-annual-wild-mushroom-show/

More about the show:

https://kitsapmushrooms.org/outreach/wild-mushroom-show/

BEFORE HALLOWEEN WAS ABOUT CANDY AND COSTUMES… IT WAS ABOUT FARMING!Happy Halloween, Kitsap County!Here's something you ...
10/31/2026

BEFORE HALLOWEEN WAS ABOUT CANDY AND COSTUMES… IT WAS ABOUT FARMING!

Happy Halloween, Kitsap County!

Here's something you might not know as you're carving pumpkins, decorating your porch, or sneaking a few pieces of candy from the trick-or-treat bowl tonight…

Halloween has some surprisingly deep agricultural roots!

More than 2,000 years ago, Celtic communities celebrated Samhain (pronounced "SOW-in"), a festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

For farming families, this was an important time of year. Crops had been gathered, livestock were being prepared for the colder months, and communities were transitioning from the abundance of autumn to the challenges of winter.

Over the centuries, those seasonal traditions helped shape the Halloween we celebrate today.

And some of the history is pretty entertaining!

PUMPKINS WEREN'T THE ORIGINAL JACK-O'-LANTERNS!

In Ireland and Scotland, people carved scary faces into TURNIPS and other root vegetables to frighten away wandering spirits.

When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they discovered pumpkins were much easier to carve.

We're guessing anyone who's ever tried hollowing out a turnip would agree that was a pretty good agricultural upgrade!

BOBBING FOR APPLES HAS A LONG HISTORY, TOO!

Apples have been associated with autumn celebrations for centuries. Bobbing for apples became a Halloween tradition, with some historical versions involving games meant to predict future romance.

Apparently, nothing says true love quite like dunking your head into a bucket of water for a piece of fruit.

EVEN HALLOWEEN'S COLORS HAVE HARVEST CONNECTIONS!

Orange has long been associated with autumn harvests, while black has been linked to the darker days and changing seasons.

And those pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales, and colorful gourds decorating porches today?

They're all reminders of agriculture's place in our seasonal traditions.

HERE IN KITSAP COUNTY…

Every fall, local farms, pumpkin patches, orchards, and farm stands help keep those harvest traditions alive.

Whether you're picking out the perfect pumpkin, enjoying fresh apple c***r, or taking the family to a local farm, you're participating in a celebration with agricultural connections stretching back centuries.

Halloween has certainly changed over the years, but farming remains part of what makes the season special.

Here's a fun Halloween question for everyone:

If pumpkins had never replaced turnips, do you think we'd all be carving turnip-o'-lanterns today?

Or better yet… has anyone in Kitsap County actually tried carving one?

Happy Halloween from the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance!

Sources:

Library of Congress, The Origins of Halloween Traditions:
https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2021/10/the-origins-of-halloween-traditions/

Smithsonian Magazine, When People Carved Turnips Instead of Pumpkins for Halloween:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-people-carved-turnips-instead-of-pumpkins-for-halloween-180978922/

12 KITSAP FARMS. 12 MONTHS. ONE CALENDAR THAT GIVES BACK TO LOCAL AGRICULTURE!Looking for a holiday gift that celebrates...
10/30/2026

12 KITSAP FARMS. 12 MONTHS. ONE CALENDAR THAT GIVES BACK TO LOCAL AGRICULTURE!

Looking for a holiday gift that celebrates Kitsap County and supports the future of local farming? We have something special to share!

For the first time ever, the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA) is creating a 2027 Farm Calendar, featuring 12 local farms and the people who make our agricultural community so special.

Each month highlights a different Kitsap County farm, celebrating everything from vegetable growers and livestock farmers to beekeepers, flower farms, cattle ranches, harvest festivals, and more.

It's a little piece of Kitsap agriculture you can enjoy all year long!

But this calendar is about more than beautiful farms and photographs.

Every calendar purchased helps support something especially important to our agricultural community.

100% of the proceeds will directly support KCAA's Farm Succession Planning Workshop in February 2027, presented in partnership with American Farmland Trust.

This upcoming workshop will help farmers explore ways to plan for the future of their farms, protect their land, and preserve the agricultural legacies they've worked so hard to build.

So when you purchase a calendar, you're not just celebrating the farms we have today… you're helping support efforts to keep farming part of Kitsap County's future.

CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

$20 per calendar, with free local pickup in early December at three designated locations in North, Central, and South Kitsap.

Prefer to have yours mailed? Shipping is available for an additional $11.95 per order, including for friends and family outside the area.

Pre-order deadline: November 20, 2026.

Calendars will arrive in time for holiday gift-giving, but don't wait too long! We'll be placing one bulk order after pre-orders close, with only a limited number available for in-person purchase afterward.

ORDER YOUR CALENDAR HERE:

Local Pickup ($20):
https://www.kitsapag.org/product-page/kcaa-2027-holiday-calendar-local-pick-up

Calendar With Shipping ($20 + $11.95 per order):
https://www.kitsapag.org/product-page/kcaa-2027-holiday-calendar-with-shipping

A huge thank-you to the 12 participating farms for sharing a piece of their world with us and helping bring this first-ever calendar to life.

And to everyone who continues to support Kitsap County agriculture, thank you!

This holiday season, consider giving a gift that's grown right here in our community.

Better yet, pick up a couple! One for yourself and one for someone who loves Kitsap County as much as we do.

Let's celebrate the farms, farmers, and agricultural traditions that make this place home.

TODAY IS A DAY FOR KITSAP’S AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY TO SHOW UP AND BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.When we talk about the fut...
10/29/2026

TODAY IS A DAY FOR KITSAP’S AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY TO SHOW UP AND BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

When we talk about the future of farming in Kitsap County, a lot of the discussion eventually comes back to one thing: land.

Where can agriculture continue? What pressures are working lands facing? How should growth, conservation, rural economies and resource-based activities fit together in the years ahead?

Those are exactly the kinds of questions connected to Kitsap County’s Rural Lands Analysis…and today there is an opportunity to take part in that conversation.

The County is holding a public workshop this evening in Kingston to dig deeper into the data, existing conditions and possible future scenarios affecting rural lands.

Importantly for our agricultural community, agriculture has its own topic-specific working group as part of tonight’s workshop, alongside forestry, development and salmon recovery.

That means farmers, livestock producers, landowners, agricultural businesses and others with firsthand experience of working the land have an opportunity to bring something that maps and data alone can’t provide…the reality of what it takes to farm in Kitsap County.

Rural Lands Analysis Project Workshop

Thursday, October 29
5:00–7:00 PM
Village Green Community Center
26159 Dulay Road NE
Kingston, WA 98346

The workshop requires registration and is limited to 60 participants. Kitsap County says the discussion will help identify key questions, areas of agreement or tension, and considerations for the next phase of the Rural Lands Analysis.

If agriculture is going to remain part of Kitsap County’s rural landscape for generations to come, agricultural experience needs to be part of the conversation.

Today is one of those opportunities.

Kitsap County Rural Lands Analysis information and registration:
https://www.kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/Rural_Lands_Analysis.aspx

WHAT HAPPENS TO KITSAP’S RURAL LAND WILL HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF FARMING HERE.For Kitsap County’s agricultural communit...
10/28/2026

WHAT HAPPENS TO KITSAP’S RURAL LAND WILL HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF FARMING HERE.

For Kitsap County’s agricultural community, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.

Kitsap County is in the middle of a Rural Lands Analysis… a broad look at how rural land is being used today and how future decisions involving development, conservation, agriculture, forestry and other rural uses may fit together.

And tomorrow, there’s an opportunity for the community to be part of that discussion.

Why does this matter to agriculture?

Because farming doesn’t happen without land.

The County’s analysis specifically includes rural and resource lands, rural economies, land-use patterns and potential future policy and code considerations. Earlier project materials also identify agricultural land productivity, incentives to maintain agricultural and forestry working lands, and conservation and preservation as areas being examined.

Those subjects can have very real connections to whether farms remain viable, whether agricultural land stays available for the next generation, and how working lands fit into a county that continues to grow.

This isn’t just a conversation for planners.

Farmers, livestock producers, landowners, people hoping to farm someday, agricultural businesses, conservation organizations and community members who care about Kitsap’s rural character all bring valuable perspectives to the table.

Tomorrow’s workshop will include smaller working groups focused on several subjects, including agriculture, and is intended to give participants an opportunity for deeper discussion about existing conditions and possible future scenarios.

Kitsap County Rural Lands Analysis Project Workshop
Thursday, October 29
5:00–7:00 PM
Village Green Community Center
26159 Dulay Road NE
Kingston, WA

Registration is required and space is limited.

Whether you farm 50 acres, raise animals on five, lease ground, grow food for your neighbors or simply care about the future of agriculture in Kitsap County… this is a process worth understanding and participating in.

What do you think Kitsap County needs to consider most carefully to make sure agriculture remains part of our rural landscape for generations to come?

Source and project information:
https://www.kitsap.gov/dcd/Pages/Rural_Lands_Analysis.aspx

HUNDREDS OF MUSHROOMS... ONE WILD AFTERNOON. Kitsap's Annual Wild Mushroom Show Is Back!When we think about agriculture ...
10/27/2026

HUNDREDS OF MUSHROOMS... ONE WILD AFTERNOON.

Kitsap's Annual Wild Mushroom Show Is Back!

When we think about agriculture in Kitsap County, we often picture farms, livestock, orchards, and gardens. But there's another fascinating world helping support the ecosystems that make all of that possible… mushrooms!

Fungi play an important role in healthy soil. They help break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and form underground relationships with plants that help them access water and nutrients.

And here in the Pacific Northwest, our damp forests and diverse landscapes provide an incredible opportunity to explore the fungal kingdom.

On Sunday, November 1st, the Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society (KPMS) is bringing that hidden world into the spotlight with its annual Wild Mushroom Show!

This FREE, family-friendly event at Olympic College in Bremerton is a chance to explore hundreds of local mushroom species and discover just how diverse our region's fungi really are.

Whether you're a mushroom enthusiast, gardener, farmer, nature lover, or simply curious about those mysterious mushrooms popping up in your yard, there's something for everyone.

Here's some of what you can look forward to:

• Discover hundreds of local mushroom specimens and learn about identification.

• Hear from mushroom experts Noah Siegel, Aaron Hilliard, and Graham Steinruck.

• Learn how to grow edible mushrooms at home.

• Explore the Discovery Kids Zone, perfect for curious young minds.

• Shop for art, books, and gifts from local vendors.

• Enjoy delicious mushroom snacks and come early for the Parade of Shrooms!

EVENT DETAILS

Sunday, November 1, 2026

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Bremer Student Center, Building 10

Olympic College, Bremerton

Admission is FREE! Donations are appreciated.

One of the things we love about events like this is how they connect agriculture, science, conservation, and community. Understanding fungi helps us better appreciate what's happening in our forests, gardens, and farmland… including the important processes we rarely get to see.

A big thank you to the Kitsap Peninsula Mycological Society for sharing this fascinating part of our local ecosystem with the community!

We're curious… have you ever discovered an unusual mushroom growing on your property or while exploring Kitsap County?

Event details:

https://kitsapmushrooms.org/event/nov-1-kpms-annual-wild-mushroom-show/

More about the Wild Mushroom Show:

https://kitsapmushrooms.org/outreach/wild-mushroom-show/

Address

PO Box #142 19240 Jensen Way NE
Poulsbo, WA
98370

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

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