Whidbey Islanders should unite behind the new “Whidbey Island Grown” brand developed by volunteers working with the Northwest Agricultural Business Center, an outfit based in Mount Vernon that uses state funds to promote agriculture in this area.

The days of large-scale farming on Whidbey Island may be gone, or at least fading fast, but there’s a bright future for small agricultural enterprises. Many people move to the island for its rural character and want to experience “ruralness” by raising a few crops or animals. Others have more serious intentions, hoping to make a living off high-value farm products like cheese and meat. To date, we’ve seen a disparate group of farmers going their own way in marketing their products, but that’s a hard row to hoe.

The new brand will let all farmers who are interested unite under one “Whidbey Island Grown” label. The brand will require that certain farming standards be met, assuring consumers that they will be purchasing top-quality products. No doubt those standards will spark long hours of discussion pitting organic purists against those who see a need for limited use of certain bug and weed killers. But in the end, farmers will have their guidelines, and consumers will be assured of consistent quality and that Whidbey farm products are produced in an environmentally-sensitive manner.

More than 100 people showed up at the brand unveiling June 30 at the Coupeville Recreation Hall in a meeting arranged by the Whidbey Island Sustainable Agriculture Committee. The fact that so many participated in the third annual farm forum proves that interest in farming is growing every year.

Old-time farmers probably chuckle at the greenhorns getting into the farming business on a small scale, but in their hearts they have to be pulling for them to succeed. To a large extent, Whidbey Island’s future depends on the success of this new crop of farmers. If they can make farming work on a small scale, we’ll continue to maintain some semblance of a rural lifestyle. Otherwise, the land will lay fallow and be taken over by developers.

When you see that “Whidbey Island Grown” label in the future, make sure you make a purchase. It’s how you can help keep Whidbey Island rural.