Health clinics “up and running”

Tina Herschelman wrote The Leader to inform its readers that Saturday flu clinics at Jefferson Healthcare are up and running as of last week.

“Call your Jefferson Healthcare primary care office to schedule flu shots for the entire family (adults and children six months and older) at one of four flu vaccination clinics. All Saturday vaccination clinics will be held at Sheridan Clinic South, 915 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend,” she stated.

The clinics run every Saturday in October from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“The yearly flu season brings respiratory illness that includes fevers, coughs and sore throats, and in more severe cases can result in hospitalizations and even flu-related deaths. Protecting all community members through vaccination is an important part of the Jefferson Healthcare initiative.

“By vaccinating families early in the fall, we build a community of immunity around more vulnerable populations like infants and elders,” she wrote.

People seeking a vaccination do not need to be a current Jefferson Healthcare patient to schedule a Saturday flu vaccination. If you do not have a primary care doctor call 360.379.8031 to schedule.

Rhodies

Jean Eichman reported that the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society will meet October 5 at 3 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center. 

Bob Zimmerman of Chimacum Woods Nursery will show some newly-discovered rhody species that he started from seed collected on his numerous trips over the years to China and India. 

All interested persons are invited, and refreshments will be provided. 

Fire ban lifted

Jefferson County Fire Marshal Phil Cecere reported that recreational burning is now allowed.

On June 30, after consultation with the Jefferson County fire chiefs, his office issued a declaration banning all recreational burning. This declaration was to be in effect until atmospheric and field conditions lowered to an acceptable level for a length of time indicating that the threat had subsided.

“The threat has subsided to an acceptable level. Accordingly, the Jefferson County Fire Marshal has rescinded the declaration banning recreational fires, effective immediately. This allows the use of campfires and charcoal cooking, in addition to gas or propane fueled appliances and wood or solid fuel (wood) appliances with an enclosed flame,” Cecere wrote The Leader.

Recreational fires are defined as “An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial cooking, warmth or similar purposes.”

Other forms of outdoor burning still are prohibited. “Outdoor burning” means the combustion of material of any type in an open fire or in an outdoor container without providing for the control of combustion or the control of emissions from the combustion, except for agricultural burning and silvicultural burning.

Solar powered boat building

Betsy Davis, executive director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, reported to The Leader her school was delighted to learn it was awarded a $207,000 grant for the installation of solar power with battery back-up on its two waterfront buildings in Port Hadlock. 

The school is already using electricity from 164 solar panels that were installed last fall by Port Townsend’s Cascadia Solar on two roofs at the school’s upper campus. 

“This work reflects the school’s priorities for environmental stewardship, expense reduction and providing learning opportunities for the Marine Systems students.

“Solar technology is very much a part of today’s boats,” said Kevin Ritz, marine systems lead instructor for the school. “Having this as part of the school’s grid will familiarize students with the technology and solidify it as a viable power option,” he stated.

The state’s Department of Commerce Grants will support 52 planning and 39 installation solar projects that will provide back-up power for community buildings to serve emergency and other critical needs statewide.

4-H youths win awards

Anji Scalf, 4-H Coordinator with Jefferson County Extension, reported from the Washington State Fair where several local youths were awarded for their work.

Layla Franson and cat Hamari – Senior (ages 14-19) winning Reserve Champion Showmanship in a class of 10, Blue Ribbon - Type Class, Household Pet Longhair, Reserve Champion Judging with a 2nd place in Oral Reasons, Blue Ribbon & Special Merit Award in Public Presentation, Member of the Champion Senior Quiz Bowl Team.

Gwen Mathews and cat Chloe – Intermediate (ages 11-13) took 6th place Showmanship - class of 18, Blue Ribbon - Type Class, Household Pet Shorthair, 3rd place Judging with the Championship in Intermediate Oral Reasons.

“Both Layla and Gwen competed in cage decoration and cat costumes which is a hugely popular event at the State Fair that packs the stands. They had a ton of fun and are planning for next year! State Fair is a place where 4-H'ers make friends and learn even more about teamwork and exercising the 4-H Sportsmanship Moto: Keep your head when you win and your heart when you lose,” Scalf wrote.

The Jefferson County 4-H State Cattle Team: Quilcene Wranglers included Claire Reinertsen, Alisha Freiberg, Chloe Freiberg. 

Claire Reinertsen and her steer ‘Beef Patty Patrick” - Junior Class (ages 8-10)

Reserve Grand Champion overall for the steer class. Firsthand place in fitting and showing for the Alisha Freiberg - Junior Class (ages 8-10). Fourth place for fitting and showing. Chloe Freiberg - Intermediate Class (ages 11-13). Third in fitting and showing.

“These were all huge accomplishments considering it was their first year ever showing or working with a cow. Collaboratively they scored the highest in herdsmanship out of the whole barn! Herdsmanship is a measurement of courtesy, cooperation, neatness and proper care of animals.

“We are so proud of all our Jefferson County 4-H'ers! We are also so grateful for our community volunteers who lead clubs and teach life skills to the next generation of farmers, engineers and citizens. Volunteers are critical to the success of these youth and the families that support their learning! Other ways you can support these youth are by participating in your Local Fair, attending fundraisers and giving philanthropically to clubs.”

To qualify for State, 4-H'ers must participate and earn blue ribbons in their local county fair. Our 4-H'ers could not participate in the State Fair without all the efforts of our community to provide an incredible foundation in the Jefferson County Fair.

The Tilth Conference coming

Washington State University Extension’s Regional Small Farms Program, Washington Organic Recycling Council (WORC) and Washington Tilth Alliance have partnered to bring the Tilth Conference to Port Townsend’s Fort Worden, Thursday, Oct. 26 to 28.

The schedule includes a variety of approaches to learning for everyone in the farm and food sphere, Lisa Bridge wrote The Leader.

Clea Rome, WSU Clallam Extension Director, Kellie Henwood, WSU Extension Regional Small Farms Director, and Laurel Moulton, WSU Clallam Extension Integrated Pest Management Specialist have been co-developing the conference with farmers from the Olympic Peninsula at the forefront of their minds.

One track offered is specifically for livestock farmers and meat processors. This will be facilitated by the Washington Meat Up Butchery Workshop for Producers and Processors, where you can join WSU’s NE Washington Regional Livestock Extension Specialist Paul Kuber in a special two-part workshop. The first hour of the workshop will take place inside WA Meat Up’s Mobile Meat Classroom, and will cover meat butchery demonstrations across multiple species, consumer preferences, product quality, informed product value and pricing models and customer communication and retention. The workshop is limited to eight participants. Reserve your spot here!

In the afternoon there will be a larger discussion with producers and meat processors across the sector for an opportunity to debrief, connect and learn from each other.

Another track focuses on biochar. The farm tour at White Lotus Farm in Port Ludlow will highlight Olympic Peninsula-based biochar professionals who’ll dive deep into the carbon removal and healthy soil-building potential of biochar. Their sharing will include:

Building and Operating a Biochar Kiln with Norm Baker and Making Biochar with a Flame Cap Kiln with Francesco Tortorici.

They will cover what biochar is and how it can be used on the farm, and, with two illustrative kiln burns, you’ll learn how it’s produced. A robust question and answer session will follow the program.

Symposium speakers include WSU plant pathologist Lindsey Du Toit and University of Idaho entomologist Sanford Eigenbrode. Du Toit will address how disease pressure in agricultural crops is expected to change as our climate changes and will offer tips on how farmers can adjust their integrated pest management practices to make their farm more resilient to disease pressure. Eigenbrode, a leader in the changing climate impacts on the insect world, will speak about what a changing climate means for both pests and beneficial insects.

Laurel Moulton said that having heard Linsey De Toit speak on managing disease in seeds at a prior event, the conversation morphed into general predictions and pressures on farms regarding the future and insects and what farms can do preventatively to be prepared. “There may be more pests coming. My goal was to have farmers thinking about resiliency regarding the changing climate,” said Laurel.

With climate change in the news so often, Laurel was interested in speakers who could talk about what we should expect in the PNW regarding insects and plant pathogens.

She also expressed her desire to reach all different types of farmers with the topic of pest management. “Hopefully in attendance at the symposium we will see small diversified farmers, larger commercial farmers and livestock farmers because this topic affects all types of farms. Also, we are gathering posters on I.P.M., biochar, and other farm topics that may speak to as wide an audience as possible.”

Laurel was told that Sanford Eigenbrode is the “rock star” of climate change and insects; He just published a big literature review about what science is showing about insects and potential effects of climate change. So don’t miss this! You can sign up for the symposium as a stand-alone ticket.

To register go to tilthalliance.org/event/tilth-conference/