04-04-10
WA Agriculture: Variety is the Spice of Life
Because of the variety of climate zones in the state, Washington has the ability to produce a range of varied crops. The rain shadow, courtesy of the Cascades, splits the state in terms of rainfall, with the eastern steppe receiving often less than 18” annually, while west of the mountains, rain fall is abundant, averaging roughly 40” per year. What makes Washington stand out in terms of soil is the fact that much of the area has been formed, albeit 6-17 million years ago, by a series of powerful volcanic eruptions. This means that the soil is still today rich and loamy in the valleys. As farmers will tell you, the chemical content of volcanic soils is some of the best in the world (see: plants love nitrogen).
As explained by the Washington Agricultural Department, over 10,00 years ago receding glaciers across the state scraped the topsoil, creating valleys, rivers and streams, washing many tons of fertile soil into the flood plains. Known as the Columbia River Valley today, the region is famed for its vineyards and capabilities to produce some of the world’s best Pinots and Cabernets.
Farmland covers roughly 35% of the state and comes in second only to California is terms of variety of crops produced (about 230). Perhaps not surprisingly, Washington’s highest cash crop is apples. Each year, 57% of the nation’s apples are shipped from the state.
If you’re interested in purchasing farmlands to begin your own agricultural endeavors, Washington offers a myriad of options. From flood plains, to fertile valleys, dry deserts, to the steep eastern steppe, the state’ economy is fixed firmly to the land. A characteristic that means that the population is highly aware of it’s value, and works to protect it.
04-03-10
Buying Washington Land: Brrrr….
Washington is cold. Often. I’d say from experience, Washington isn’t what most people would call “warm” for about eight or nine months out of the year. The temperature begins to drop in around mid-September, hovers around the 30s from late October through around March, then picks up to the 50s until mid-May. June through Auguest, though—wow. Worth every penny. The joy of the climate shift in the Pacific Northwest is the shift in the people. When the sun comes out, even if it’s not particularly strong, everyone is outside. The joy and excitement in the seasonal shift is palpable. This phenomenon is unique to the region. Late spring, summer and early fall Washington truly comes alive. Gardens are sown, parks are restored, and outdoors games such as Ultimate Frisbee (popular in the region), baseball, and weekend football are commonplace in public spaces. Artists take their canvases outside. Writers pen in the parks. Farmers markets abound and the land’s rich and delicious produce is sold to hungry and eager communities. Every drop of sun must be absorbed, for it is indeed fleeting.
One must be prepared for the grey months ahead. But don’t let this discourage you. These are times for preserving the summer’s bounty: canning, making jams from cascade berries (Reiner cherries, anyone?) and making stocks. It is an exciting time in a Washingtonian’s life, and there is real camaraderie shared within the region. Enjoy the Washington summers—they are gorgeous, not to mention precious.
03-28-10
Look Before You Leap
While the prospect of buying land is exciting and while you may just want to snap up the first piece of gorgeous Washington land you see, it’s more prudent to hold your horses and evaluate what you’re really acquiring. Purchasing land is an agreement—one that is important we all respect. We become stewards of the land and are charged with protecting it.
Before you buy, learn as much as you can about the climate and threats such as erosion and flooding, seismic activity, and history of forest fires in the area. These questions are not meant to scare you away from the idea of investing in Washington, but to help you better understand your investment. For example, the Pacific Northwest has a reputation for rain, yet while Washington receives an annual rainfall of approximately 27.6 inches, there are a myriad of other regions in which rainfall is nearly double that (see: The South).
All these factors will help dictate what you should build and where you should build it. Learning as much as possible about the area will inform how you should construct the foundation of your home/barn. When building, we must be careful we’re selecting, for example, the correct septic tank for the topography and soil. Once you learn the facts you are free to begin serious contemplation about the pros and cons of investing in Washington. An investment, you may come to decide, is well worth your while.
