Farmland Preservation

Agritopia®–A Little Bit of Arizona Heaven

The first and only time I visited Phoenix was twenty-five years ago. All I remembered from that trip were endless strip malls, six-lane arterials, lots of double left-turn lanes, roads filled with cars, and cascading water fountains. The bubbling fountains at the... Read more...

The New Agri-hood

by Kathryn Gardow

“I live next to a farm!” This can be said with enthusiasm and excitement or disappointment and disgust. Living next to a farm can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your point of view. City folks want to move to the country, as they see it as idyllic... Read more...

Malting in the Skagit

by Kathryn Gardow

Malting! As a kid, it meant malted milkshakes and Whoppers–malted milk covered in chocolate. Ugh! Whoppers were the rage in my Trick or Treat bag, but they tasted awful. Now I savor a malted drink–Hefeweizen–the German malted wheat beer of my... Read more...

Cultivating a Thriving Agricultural Economy: Skagit Valley

by Kathryn Gardow

Bucolic fields of tulips wave in the breeze. Tilled fields are ready for spring planting. Raspberry brambles are tamed, trimmed, and prepped for summer production. Netting is checked, secured, and standing by to be stretched over blueberry acreage. Strawberries are... Read more...

An Agricultural-Residential Development Solution

by Kathryn Gardow

Local produce heaven is now… asparagus, strawberries, cherries, snap peas; followed by string beans, cucumbers, basil, tomatoes, peaches; culminating with apples, corn, winter squash. What would make every food summer more perfect? Living in a community that... Read more...

Skagit County: Creating New Food Production Models

by Kathryn Gardow

What’s happening just north of Seattle in agriculture? Who is bucking the trend of urbanization in the Interstate 5 corridor in the Puget Sound region? What new agricultural innovations are being created? Skagit County, Washington, located one hour north of... Read more...

Nash’s Real Food from the Ground Up

by Kathryn Gardow

I spoke to soil recently, receiving wisdom from the earth. Nash Huber–iconic organic farmer–was speaking from depth of his soul on soil and our human connection to it through the food we eat. My psyche was mesmerized by his words. Nash’s Journey I... Read more...

Farming Land You Don’t Own: The ‘Urban Fringe’ Farm

by Kathryn Gardow

When you farm land you don’t own, you must do your homework prior to getting on the land to ensure your business interests are protected. Spend the time needed to thoroughly understand the land. The landowner is not looking out for your interests. Ask good... Read more...