A free workshop for farmers and gardeners concerned about rising produce costs and local food security on Sunday, August 2nd, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust Building. Guest speakers will be Bill Thorness, author of “Cool Season Gardener,” and Jen Williams, founder of Wild Dreams Farm & Seed on Vashon Island.

Bill Thorness will review strategies for taking advantage of Vashon-Maury Island’s mild winters to grow and harvest fresh veggies year-round. By planning ahead, you can harvest from your garden through the fall and have a bounty of early-spring vegetables before most gardeners have even broken ground. Learn what to plant through the year, and how to fit winter crops into your summer garden. Bill will have copies of his books, “Cool Season Gardener” and “Edible Heirlooms,” available for purchase.

Jen Williams, Vashon seed grower, will introduce ways to increase food security by saving seeds from summer, fall and winter crops. She will share her experience with saving seeds of vegetables, herbs and flowers adapted to our unique growing conditions. She will also have seeds and starts of cold-hardy winter vegetables available for sale. 

Sponsored by the Vashon Island Growers Association, the workshop is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. RSVP: Mark Musick, mark-musick@comcast.net.