LOPEZ COMMUNITY LAND TRUST

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Mobile slaughtering unit wins Founder of New Northwest award

Food processing and child care top list of county's needs

Ribbon cut for cutting edge mobile unit

Pauline Queen cut the ribbon. Tom Schultz photo

Verne Coffelt enjoys a hamburger made from beef processed and inspected through the mobile unit. Bruce Gregory photo

posted 05/15/02
The ribbon for the nation's first USDA-inspected Mobile Meat Processing Unit was cut with a meat cleaver Saturday, May 11, 2002 on Lopez Island. More than 100 people attended the ceremony. Tours of the unit were offered. Burgers made with local USDA-inspected beef were served.

Bruce Dunlop of the Island Grown Farmers Coop said the unit is being used every other week. The coop is seeking more members. Contact Dunlop at 360.468.4620 or Bruce Gregory at 360.378.2309. The coop may lease a cut and wrap facility in Skagit County in the next three months.

Local meat coming soon to a grocery near you

By Sharon Kivisto

posted 10/22/01
A mobile slaughtering unit and nutrition facts could create a niche market for local farm products. Jo Robinson, author of "Why Grass-fed is Best," shared her research Saturday in Friday Harbor about the nutritional and environmental benefits of feeding animals in pastures as opposed to feedlots.

According to Robinson meat produced by grass-fed livestock is leaner and contains two to six times more Omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals. While grain-fed animals produce less Omega 3, they produce higher amounts of Omega 6. This happens because Omega 3s are found in green leaves and Omega 6s are found in seeds. Both are essential fatty acids. The human body does not produce them so they must be obtained through food.

Diets high in Omega 3s have been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer and heart disease. An excess amount of Omega 6s according to Robinson promotes tumor growth, obesity and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Robinson said the typical American's diet contains a 15:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. in hunter-gatherer diets the ratio was 1:1. "This is a fundamental shift in our diet we're unaware of," she said. "It was impossible to get too much Omega 6 before we changed our diet." A healthy balance according to Robinson is 4:1 ratio or lower.

In addition to the higher amounts of Omega 3, Robinson listed many more advantages of pasture-fed animals during her presentation Saturday, Oct. 20. The information is available on her Web site eatwild.com.

Consumers in San Juan County may be benefitting from grass-fed meat before the end of this year (2001). Many local farmers produce grass-fed meat but can only sell it to customers who want to buy an entire animal. Island Grown Farmers Coop has been working to change that by providing a means for local producers to obtain USDA inspections.

The group purchased a mobile slaughering unit this summer. Coop member Bruce Dunlop told the audience a test slaughter with a USDA inspector present will take place in early December. Locally produced meat could be on the market later that month.

While the USDA has never approved a mobile slaughtering unit. Dunlop is optimistic about the coop's chances of obtaining approval. The group has gotten positive feedback from the USDA. "The USDA assured us they are on our side," said Coop member Barbara Thomas earlier this year.

The unit, which Dunlop says looks like an overgrown horse trailer without windows, was on display at this year's county Fair. It is lined with stainless steel, has hot and cold running water, a generator and a refrigerated section. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen who is on the House Agriculture Committee and Senator Maria Cantwell (D) both visited the exhibit. "Cantwell wrote an astounding letter (to the USDA)," said Dunlop.

More information about the coop's plans are available in the Island Farm and Food Connection Newsletter from the San Juan County Washington State Coop Extension. The extension office sponsored the presentations Saturday. In addition to the newsletter they have produced Farm Product Guides.

Processing site and mobile slaughter unit purchased

posted 06/19/01
San Juan County farmers' dreams of selling locally-produced meat to island restaurants and residents is one giant step closer to reality. Lopez Community Land Trust has acquired a five-acre site at the corner of School and Center Roads on Lopez Island which will provide a permanent home for its Sustainable Agriculture Program. Plans call for a Food Processing Center, a Community Kitchen, and educational programs for farmers and youth at the site.

The Food Processing Center is a project of the Island Grown Farmers Co-op in conjunction with the LCLT. As part of that project a mobile slaughtering unit was purchased and will arrive in early August. If all goes as planned it will be on display at the San Juan County Fair. The mobile unit will travel to individual farms to slaughter livestock.

Vern Coffelt, a third generation Orcas Island farmer said, "It's quite expensive and time consuming to haul livestock on the ferry boat. But we've had to do that to get them to market." Coffelt looks forward to construction of the Food Processing Center where meat can be brought to be cut and wrapped so that local USDA inspected meats can be available by the cut to island residents, markets and restaurants.

LCLT wants to collaborate with the Lopez School in developing new sustainable agriculture and community food systems educational programs, as well as continuing existing programs such as the Teaching Food Garden, the Seed Savers/Botanical Resource Network, the Islands Food Security Project and the Internship Program.

LCLT staff member Terry Marshall says, "Perhaps one day soon Lopez School students will be eating foods in the cafeteria that they themselves grew right across the road! "

Tom Schultz of WSU Extension Service in Friday Harbor looks forward to "working with producers and consumers to provide educational. programs at this new agricultural center."

"This is awesome! " exclaims Pauline Queen, Lopez Village Market butcher.She said, "All indications are that local products and meats are very successful and profitable. I look forward to being able to carry them in the market. "

The FPC will join other businesses in the Island Center Activity Center, an area affording access, commercial zoning, and minimal impact on residential areas.

"I can't think of a better site for the FPC," says Tammy Cowan, owner of Sunset Builders' Supply.

"A goal of the Lopez Community Land Trust is to ensure that agriculture is viable in the islands and that our local food system is diverse and sustainable. ," said Executive Director Sandy Wood.

Interested islanders are invited to attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2001 at the Lopez School.

Local meat at local markets

posted 11/20/00
By next fall, locally produced roasts and lambchops should be lining the meat cases of San Juan county grocery stores. Island Grown Farmers cooperative is looking for more members in order to make the idea a reality.

"I drive past field after field of sheep on my way to a restaurant and then the lamb I order is from New Zealand," said Bruce Dunlop, coop member. "That's what we're hoping to change." In order to sell to grocery stores and restaurants meat must be USDA inspected. Currently the closest facilities are 200 miles away.

The coop will operate a USDA inspected meat processing plant with a USDA inspected mobile slaughter unit to provide in-field, on-farm slaughter service. A fixed facility on Lopez Island for aging, cutting and wrapping is also part of the plan.

The project was started four years ago, when a group of farmers gathered and discussed the obstacles in the way of selling to local markets. Without USDA inspection the only way to sell to individuals is by selling a whole or half of an animal.

The group turned to the non-profit community organization Lopez Community Land Trust for help. Feasibility studies began in 1996 and were completed last year. Legal incorporation was done in October, 2000. The project has received some federal funding.

LCLT is applying for funds from the state which would become a revolving loan fund. The project will also be funded by the coop members. Negotiations for property on Lopez Island are underway. If all goes well the project will be in operation by the fall of 2001.

The first annual meeting of the coop was held Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000. "We're actively recruiting members," said Dunlop. "We're at 20 and we hope to at least double that."

Any livestock farmer interested in joining the coop can contact Dunlop by e-mail at bdunlop
@lopezislandfarm.com or by calling 360.468.4620

County farmers want to be on the cutting edge

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

A small group of San Juan County residents may not be trying to change the world, but they are working to change meat processing methods. Island Grown Farmers Cooperative in cooperation with Lopez Land Trust is building a mobile slaughtering unit they hope will win USDA approval.

If approved the unit will travel to island farms. Meat will then be taken to a local food processing plant for aging and packaging. Roasts, ribs and lambchops from local farms will end up in county grocery meat cases. Without USDA-approved processing, county farmers cannot sell meat by the cut. Buyers must purchase a side of beef rather than a pound of ground beef.

Coop President Bruce Gregory said changes in philosophy at the USDA encouraged the farmers to pursue the mobile unit idea. The federal agency is looking favorably on alternatives to large consolidated food processing according to Gregory.

"The USDA assured us they are on our side," said Coop member Barbara Thomas. "They are behind us."

Beside winning USDA approval, the farmers must also win approval of a site for the processing plant. Several of the coop members met with neighbors of one of the proposed sites Tuesday, March 21. The Port of Friday Harbor is exploring the possibility of leasing land to the coop for the plant.

Marilyn Gresseth said, "The neighbors are united. We're a force to be reckoned with."

In a round-robin format, neighboring property owners peppered the projects proponents with three dozen questions. How will this affect water, property values. What about light pollution and odors? Who wants to live next to a stockyard? Why isn't it being located on Lopez Island? How big will the building be and will it affect views?

After explaining how the plan was developed (see story to the right) and how it will provide markets for local farmers and high quality food for residents, the coop members responded to the neighbors' concerns.

According to Bruce Dunlop, Lopez farmer and coop member, the amount of water used will be equal to two single-family residences. He noted water issues would be addressed through the permitting process required by the state Department of Ecology and the county Health Department. The county's Unified Development Code requires runoff controls.

Neighboring property owner John Gresseth was concerned about smells and "the loss of night skies." The coop members said light and odor would not be a problem. The plant would be operated during the day. County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said lighting would be dealt with in the permit process. Port Commissioner Brian Calvert noted the FAA would weigh in on lighting also.

Birds being attracted to the site, was a concern cited by pilot Dave Anderson. "According to FAA regs this project is not suitable. It'll attract eagles, fox, crows and will be a danger to aircraft."

Since the 4,000 square foot plant would be enclosed, the coop members did not believe the project would attract birds.

Ed Rouleau owns property beside one of the parcels being considered at the south end of the airport. "I don't want to see it because I have view property."

Asked about the plant's affect on property values, Dunlop said, "The overall benefit is it helps landowners maintain large parcels -- 40 acres or more. Property in the county is so valuable because of the beauty -- the wide open spaces. This project helps maintain the property in its current use. "

The issue of the potential of onsite slaughtering was a hot topic. Having the ability through zoning and sizing to do onsite slaughtering may be part of the group's contingency plan, but approval of the mobile unit is the preferred method. The coop is proceeding with creation of the unit through private funds. The USDA will pay for testing.

As for the question of why San Juan Island rather than Lopez Island, coop members said they are currently looking at two possible sites on Lopez, one on Orcas and one other one on San Juan.

After the two and a half hour meeting, neighbors better understood the plan. Lisa Benedict said, "I have new-found sympathy. We're here to ask questions. We shouldn't be beating them up for having ideas."

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