Celebrating Ag Week & A Growing Demand for Local Produce

Celebrating Ag Week & A Growing Demand for Local Produce. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

This is Ag Week with Ag Day slated for tomorrow and agriculture's contribution to the economy, environment, and social well being will be celebrated all week. Oregon

Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba has a messages for the urban consumer.

COBA: Go out and enjoy Oregon agriculture products, whether it is food, nursery, you name it. Spring is the time of year when we are re-energized again and farmers' markets are really kicking into gear.

And for the rural community.

COBA: We're very aware that you are there and we are very appreciative of what you do for Oregon's culture and as part of our society, and that we want to continue to work with you to figure out ways that agriculture can contribute to the economic benefit of rural Oregon.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is hosting a special three-part workshop series in partnership with Washington State University Extension in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties to help farmers meet the growing demand for locally grown produce. Laura Raymond with WSDA's Small Farm Direct Marketing says they want farmers at any stage of market-readiness to see the opportunities in different market channels, learn more about what buyers want and allow both farmers and buyers to connect – and possibly make some new sales relationships.

That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.