WSU Extension Clallam County

Background

Successful Volunteer Relations

The WSU Clallam County gleaning program has three assets in terms of volunteer relations.

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Marketing

Tips from WSU Extension Clallam County on how to market your gleaning program.

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Outreach and Communication

Building relationships with farmers, farmer’s market managers, and property owners has no off season.

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Appreciation

A thank you can take many forms but never goes unnoticed.

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Produce Recovery

Market Recovery

The farmer's market recovery program in Clallam County.

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Gleaning Plant Starts

Vegetable and fruit plant starts, a new type of "gleaning" for WSU Extension Clallam County

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Fruit Tree Harvest

Clallam County has a wealth of home and farm orchards. Here are some tips for screening trees to create a gleaning profile.

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Produce Selection

See how Clallam County ensures that produce that is harvested is of good quality.

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Produce Education

Engaging volunteers by expanding their knowledge about local and available produce.

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Culled Produce

One method of recovering culled produce from local farms and orchards.

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WSU Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life. The 39 Extension locations throughout the state of Washington offer researched based resources and volunteer programming to communities in efforts to create a culture of life-long learning and is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high-quality, unbiased educational programs. Over 100 years ago The Extension service was originally funded by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 which established the Cooperative Extension service across the country.

The Clallam County Extension, located in Port Angeles, is home to many programs that connect the people and communities of Clallam County with the knowledge base of Washington State University. These programs include: Master Gardeners, 4-H, Small Farms, Waste Reduction, Food and Nutrition, and Water Protection. The Gleaning Coordinator position was created in 2016 to better serve the existing gleaning program. Before the creation of this position the gleaning program had served the community for eight years but never with the attention of a full-time position. Today the gleaning program has over 300 volunteers who pick produce from residential yards, farm production overages, community garden donations and extras from a local farmer’s market. The gleaning coordinator promotes the program by presenting public lectures, reaching out to volunteer organizations, teaching youth groups, attending local events, advertising on social media and by putting out press releases. Homeowners are more than happy to hear there is a volunteer-based organization willing to pick their extra fruit and veggies. Once the produce has been picked a portion is taken home to family and friends and the rest is brought to a local food service program, most often a food bank. The gleaning program takes pride in turning potential food waste into a community resource.