Dear Whatcom Family Farming Community and Supporters,

On Wednesday, November 19, Whatcom Family Farmers hosted its annual Farmer Rally at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. This annual event is our attempt to bring the farming community and our supporters together to celebrate our farms. For many, farming is “in our blood,” and even though farming has its challenges, the rewards, too, are deeply satisfying. Tending the soil and working with our animals, all to produce food for our community and beyond is a deeply rewarding endeavor. We are so grateful to be able to do what we do!

And it was so wonderful to see such a diverse crowd at the event to celebrate with us. As I went around the room I recognized not just farmers, but supporters from our greater community as well. It was so rewarding to see, even at individual tables, folks who might in other circles identify as right- or left-leaning politically enjoying each other’s company, and realizing what we do have in common.

It also certainly helped to have Tom Tebb as our guest speaker. Tom, who is the former director of the Office of the Columbia River, did a great job of providing us hope as we grapple with our water resource issues. The work he and his office did in the Yakima Basin, as well as other places on the east side, provides a hopeful context for our Nooksack Basin. As we contend with a water rights adjudication, and growing issues around water concerns, it is encouraging to see that there is a path forward. For those of you who weren’t able to hear Tom’s presentation, it is now up on our website here: Expert Shares Message of Hope for Whatcom Water Users in State Water Rights Adjudication

G. Thomas (Tom) Tebb, LHG, LEG
Principal, Tebb & Associates –
Water Resource Consultants

Our community faces an important crossroads. We value our natural resources such as farming and salmon, and yet face an expanding population and climate change, both of which put increasing pressures on our ability to farm. How do our community values respond to these challenges? We can no longer punt these issues down the road, not if agriculture is to survive.

These issues can certainly cause stress, and drain our reserves. Perhaps that is why the rally was so encouraging to me. To see a broad swath of our entire Whatcom community step up and show support for ag, even in the midst of all these challenges, was promising.

Rich Appel is a 3rd generation farmer and serves as Board President of Whatcom Family Farmers

Whatcom Family Farmers thanks you for your support. We will continue to follow our mission and work toward preserving a future for agriculture here in Whatcom County. This requires a strong effort to not only defend our farms from unfair attacks, but also engage in broad based efforts such as Water For Whatcom, which is working to build community conversations around these difficult issues.

Sincerely,

Rich Appel,
Board President
Whatcom Family Farmers