Event

Alternative Berry Production

Western Washington is berry country, and there are many unusual fruit-bearing plants that grow across this region that make for tasty treats and useful remedies. Jim Freed, Washington State University Special Forest Products Agent, will discuss the intentional management of working forest lands to produce alternative berry crops for culinary and medicinal uses. This workshop will teach participants about the types of berries that can be grown successfully in the South Puget Sound, production strategies, and niche markets that can be accessed and developed. Workshop participants will also learn about the resources available to them in the region. This workshop is open to all landowners in western Washington looking to diversify their home landscapes or farm/forest production systems and income opportunities.

Jim Freed, as a Special Forest Products expert and faculty for WSU Extension's Natural Resources program unit, has been assisting landowners to preserve and sustainably manage natural and cultural resources in the Pacific Northwest for almost 40 years. Jim is our regional expert on "Special Forest Products" management and conservation, helping to increase forest and farm land biodiversity through teaching awareness and management of plant species other than those used for timber and fiber while increasing landowners commercial and personal interest potentials.

This workshop is presented by the Washington State University (WSU) Extension Mason and Thurston County offices, Mason Conservation District, and Thurston Conservation District.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons who qualify under the American with Disabilities Act who contact Erik Hagan at: 5033 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, WA 98502; erik.hagan@wsu.edu; 509-867-2151. If accommodation is not requested 10 days in advance, we cannot guarantee availability of accommodation on site.