9 new Greenbank farmers at work

Nine students are learning the basics of farming at the Greenbank Farm Community Supported Agriculture program.

This year’s crop of students range in age from 20 to 45. They are Quinn Fitzpatrick from Whidbey Island; Alison and Alan Spaude-Filipczak from Wisconsin; Taryn Washburn from California; Abigail Anderson from Republic, Wash.; Kelly Ryan and Jordan Primus from Berkley, Calif.; Mary King from Oklahoma; and Joseph Robinson from Washington via South Carolina. Langley resident Rachael Adams volunteered to contribute articles to the newsletter distributed to food share customers.

“The new students and advisory board who are part of this year’s program at the Greenbank Farm Training Center represent new energy and excitement or broad-based agricultural interests,” said Maryon Attwood, project director for the Greenbank Farm CSA.

Students spend 20 hours a week growing crops on five acres of land at the Greenbank Farm and 10 hours a week learning about farm production and small business management.

The students are offering a 20-week food share program that will cost participants $450. Residents paying for a share will receive fresh-picked produce each week.

CSA shares are available for purchase and food deliveries will begin June 1 and go until mid-October. CSA coordinator Sebastian Aguilar estimates the CSA cost is approximately 20 percent less than retail prices.

For more information about CSA shares, go to www.agbizcenter.org, or call 360-336-3727.

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