We held a KCAA board meeting on Tuesday May 30 – a cold and damp day for the end of May! We gathered at the Central Kitsap Farmer’s Market, and I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you, our dear members and supporters.

We discussed the Farmer’s Market –still in its infancy. We are anticipating more traffic and much larger selection of produce and protein as the weather improves, but farmers, like everyone else in Kitsap, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our favorite summer guest…the Sun!

We welcomed a new member of the KCAA board – JJ Meland. JJ is a chef, culinary instructor at Bates Technical College, and a businessman with ambitious and wonderful plans to add to Kitsap’s growing culinary scene, as he works to open his lifelong dream – Maynard’s in Silverdale.  It will be a combination restaurant, market, and event space. He brings a lot of food and business acumen to KCAA, as well as plenty of energy and a good sense of humor. KCAA board is still 3 members short. Please contact us if you are interested in being considered for a board position.

We talked about two upcoming and fabulous events – Farm Funk, an afternoon of music, food, and fun set for August 12 out at Minder Farm in Bremerton, with proceeds benefiting KCAA and the Washington Academy Of Music.

And our yearly spectacular – the Kitsap-Grown Harvest Dinner, which will take flight on September 24th (a Sunday) at Olympic College, Bremerton.  Save the date! More exciting details on both these events to follow.

We have received a grant for $34,314 with Washington State University Extension from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Marie Vila has been hired to work on this grant to create a series of workshops, webinars and conferences focused on strengthening farm’s business plans, marketing, and financing. She will expand on this in our next update. Scott Hall brought us up to date on the County’s crafting of the Critical Areas Ordinance, a topic we will follow closely as the County works towards its long-overdue update.

Other than that, it was the typical board business, so this is enough for now. Look for another exciting KCAA news flash after our next meeting, the end of June!

Till then –

Bob Geballe
President
KCAA Board