Lewis County Regional Agricultural Survey

Lewis County Regional Agriculture Survey Announcement

 

In late 2022, the Port of Chehalis was awarded a Farmers Market Promotion Program grant to determine the likelihood of successfully forming a countywide Direct Farm Marketing Association (LCDFMA), and gauge the impact of the proposal on the local food system. Lewis County farmers’ input is needed to carry this out effectively.

Are you a Lewis County farmer? Would you like to sell more of the food you grow right here in Lewis County? If so, we need your help!

The Lewis County Regional Agriculture Assessment Advisory Committee is drafting a feasibility study to discover how to effectively drive direct farm sales in Lewis County.  Farmer input is vital to this process to ensure the feasibility study is accurate and includes data from as many Lewis County growers and ranchers as possible.

In order to collect this data, the  Lewis County Regional Agriculture Assessment Advisory Committee has created a survey to determine the supply of food grown in Lewis County, the current sales channels used by Lewis County farmers, and the demand for more Lewis County direct sales.

 The Lewis County Regional Agriculture Assessment Advisory Committee is asking farmers to please complete this survey so the final feasibility study is representative of real Lewis County farmers.

 

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW

 

What is the Lewis County Regional Agriculture Assessment Advisory Committee?

 

The committees charter reads as follows:

Purpose: The Lewis County Regional Agriculture Assessment Advisory Committee (Committee) will work for:

  1. The facilitation of the expansion of a chartered group of producers and community stakeholders tasked with exploring the development of a Lewis County Direct Farm Marketing Association (LCDFMA),
  2.  Engaging the services of qualified experts experienced in developing marketing associations for farm direct sales,
  3.  Completing a feasibility study and business plan that consider the factors necessary to successfully develop a LCDFMA, and
  4.   Completing a strategic plan and position the project to successfully develop a LCDFMA.

 Expected outcomes include:

  1. Improved engagement of producers and community stakeholders,
  2.  Completion of a feasibility study, business plan, and strategic plan, and
  3.  Financial benefits of participation in a LCDFMA for regional market channels, such as Farmers Markets and Food Hubs, and producers.

 

What is the purpose of the Port of Chehalis’ Farmers Market Promotion Program grant?

 

The Executive Summary of the Port of Chehalis’ FMPP award reads as follows:

The Port of Chehalis seeks funding to complete a feasibility study and business plan to determine the

likelihood of successfully forming a countywide Direct Farm Marketing Association (LCDFMA), and gauge

the impact of the proposal on the local food system. The project will also develop a strategic plan to

guide the development of the proposed association.

 

Project will:

  • Facilitate the activities and expansion of a chartered group of producers and community

stakeholders tasked with exploring the development of a LCDFMA

  • Enlist the services of qualified experts experienced in developing marketing associations for

farm direct sales

  • Complete a feasibility study and business plan that consider the economic, technical, legal, and

other relevant factors necessary to successfully develop a LCDFMA

  • Complete a strategic plan and position the project to successfully develop a LCDFMA

 

Expected outcomes are:

  • An engaged body of producers and community stakeholders, with an established charter,

invested in the development of a LCDFMA

  • Completion of a feasibility study, business plan, and strategic plan, which support future funding

and implementation, and provide an accurate assessment of the financial, legal, organizational,

and other requirements necessary to develop a LCDFMA

  • Projected financial benefits of participation in a LCDFMA for regional market channels, such as

Farmers Markets and Food Hubs, and producers

This project will serve direct market farms selling products in Lewis County, and six farmers markets

currently operating within Lewis County. This project will also serve Lewis County residents, who will

benefit through increased access to locally produced farm products.