SUQUAMISH — As the interest in growing and buying local produce increases, the number of community gardens and farmers markets also rises.
Farmers markets and community garden plots span the county from Kingston and Port Gamble to Port Orchard, however, this outlet for homegrown goodness is lacking in Suquamish.
But that’s about to change.
Under the umbrella of the Suquamish Environmental Stewardship Circle, a handful of locals are breaking ground on community garden plots, with the hopes of launching the town’s first farmers market in June.
“People who are artisans or gardeners or farmers in the local area will have another way to sell what they’re producing,” said Alan Trunkey, a Suquamish resident who’s helped spearhead the garden project. “It’s a more direct way of getting the produce out, we can control how our food is grown and it connects people to the local environment and instills a value of place.”
Raised-bed community garden plot boxes are available on a quarter-acre parcel near the United Methodist Church for a seasonal fee of $30 to cover the water bill. Additional community beds are available on a quarter-acre plot half way between Suquamish and Poulsbo near Lincoln and Big Rock Lane.
The Suquamish Tribe’s permission is still needed to host a farmers market, which is slated to run on Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m., June 3 through Oct. 14.
To farm on one of the community plots contact Trunkey at (360) 697-6817 or trunkey4@hotmail.com.