WSU Extension Jefferson County

Background

Volunteer Relations

Recruiting volunteers for gleaning on the Olympic Peninsula is a test of persistence and creativity.

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Marketing and Visibility

Ideas for marketing your gleaning program.

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Donor Relations

On the Olympic Peninsula, several outreach methods were employed to establish the donor base.

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Produce Recovery

Plant-A-Row and Seed Donations

Plant starts and seed donations are a great way to get more fresh veggies into the hands of the folks who need them.

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Food Bank Garden

Ideas from the Port Townsend Food Bank garden.

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Row Crops in Port Townsend

On the Olympic Peninsula the majority of gleaning occurs on small to medium scale diverse vegetable farms, which brings in a great abundance and a variety of vegetables.

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WSU Cooperative Extension is a state-wide county resource for Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, with the mission of extending knowledge and changing lives. It was founded by the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. The Extension in Jefferson County offers diverse learning opportunities and resources for all ages.  These include Master Gardeners Program, Small Farms Program – Small Farms Internship, livestock classes, farm management and budgeting; Food Preservation classes, 4-H, Marine Resources Committee, Water Resources, Organic Seed Alliance, Toxic Weed Board and Gleaning/Food Recovery.

The Gleaning/Food Recovery Program is in its second year of the program for the county.  It is the first year of involvement for WSU Extension).  The Gleaning Coordinator gleans crops left in the fields after the harvest.  This produce is then distributed to five food banks county-wide, YMCA Summer Meals Program, Senior Meals, Jefferson County Mental Health Harbor House meal program, DOVE House - a domestic violence shelter - and the Boiler Room - a youth-oriented coffee house which has a free meal program.  The Food Recovery program collects ‘left-overs’ (prepared food) from commercial kitchens, caterers and restaurants, packages, label and date them for distribution to the homeless and seniors who do not have the means or capacity to prepare food themselves.