PORT ANGELES — “Growing Inclusively: Supporting Local Food Security Through the Power of the Garden Plot,” a Green Thumb Garden Tips Zoom presentation, is set for noon-1 p.m. today on Zoom.
Join by computer by clicking a link at extension.wsu.edu/clallam, or by calling 253-215-8782. The meeting ID is 920 0799 1742. The passcode is 709395.
Benji Astrachan, Washington State University Extension educator, will cover the basics of food insecurity and efforts towards increasing access to healthy locally grown food across Clallam County.
He will speak about the different programs and organizations working towards a healthier local food system for all community members, and attendees will hear about how they can become involved with their own gardening interests and skills.
Astrachan will give gardeners an understanding of where and how to contribute to food access efforts; what kinds of foods may be grown by avid gardeners that are most needed and appreciated by those experiencing food insecurity; and how to get involved as a gardener in food access efforts.
Gardeners will be able to better understand their role and potential for supporting their neighbors in need and have clear pathways to involvement and improvement through their unique gardening skills.
Astrachan’s experience on these topics comes through both personal and professional involvement. As a farm worker on local operations, and as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education Coordinator with WSU Extension, he has been directly involved in the production and redistribution of quality healthy food on the Olympic Peninsula for years.
He leads a number of programs at WSU Extension including farm gleaning, farm-to-school garden activities, the Little Free Pantry networks and other local food access projects. He is also a farm worker at SisterLand Farms in Port Angeles and has worked at farms and gardens of all sizes and operation types across Clallam County and New England.
Sponsored by WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners, the Green Thumbs Garden Tips education series is offered on the second and fourth Thursday each month through October (in November, December and January, one program is offered). Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar (extension.wsu.edu/clallam) for the latest information on upcoming presentations.
For more information, call 360-565-2679.
