Genuine Skagit Valley making its mark

Two truths about agriculture: One: Farmers have always promoted their products and seek to expand their markets and Two: Farmers are always getting older, and also younger.

Even in our “more is better” culture, the best thing is to add value by improving the worth of a crop. Sometimes worth can be increased by asserting the intrinsic value inherent in the harvest. The creators of Genuine Skagit Valley, the marketing program for agricultural products and related services originating in Skagit County, believe that to be the case.

From asparagus through blueberries, broccoli, cheese, eggs, milk and more, and even this newspaper, by branding all things Skagit as “genuine,” their authenticity to this place is proclaimed, imbuing them with quality and thus value.

The very label they are using sets the program’s example. Genuine Skagit Valley is a federal certification mark, not just any marketing ploy but one permitted by the federal government. Likewise, identifying local products and displaying that badge of honor in the metropolitan markets of Seattle and Vancouver promotes a stamp of approval of downhome – to us – genuineness.

That is the hope of its members. Some 25 have signed on. Members, including Boldly Grown Farm, Bow Hill Blueberries, Samish Bay Cheese and Skagit Valley Malting, have been running their operations for a variety of years, but all are better established then the brand they have joined. As with their crops, lands and machinery, they are making an investment, this time cooperatively, expecting a better collective future harvest.

The growth of the program will in part be a measure of bonds, old and new, within this agriculture community. Marketing Coordinator Blake Vanfield is recruiting the “generational farms”: The Hedlins, Mesmans Roozens, Swansons and Thulens must populate that list. Those families contain multi-generations of farmers themselves.

Some relative newcomers to the Valley have joined: Dave Green, Susan and Harley Soltes, and Amy Frye and Jacob Slosberg and other Viva Farms farmers.

Others that might consider participating include, perhaps Kevin Morse, Andrew Miller and his partners and local restaurateurs: Belen Cortes and Cristal Perkins, Albie Bjornberg and James Donahue and Kjendal Hicks. There are scions from older families: Ben Mesman, Kai Ottesen, Jasmine Lennartz.

The growers, processors, distributors and, perhaps soon, restaurateurs that are joining this membership association in its first year are planting the seed for what will be a strong harvest for them and their colleagues in future years. In 2019 Genuine Skagit Valley is a sprout needing attention and nurturing as it emerges and stretches toward 50 members by year’s end.

It will be a combination of old timer mentors and youngblood entrepreneurs who will help Genuine Skagit Valley make a mark in new ways. Meanwhile, the agricultural economy will roll on, as it has always done, the old ways morphing into new. – ken stern