It is our belief that a business has a responsibility to its
community and to its employees. We invest in the future of our
community and continue to be involved in organizations that are
responsible for positive progress for our community and
agricultural business. The following are groups we support as board
members or with time and resources.
United Way of Skagit County - Supporting community, funding
organizations, for young and old, people with needs and providing
culture,
YMCA -
Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland - An organization that may be
solely responsible for the preservation of agriculture in Skagit
County and the preservation of a way of life important to the
community and the state. Their commitment of time and finances to
the WSU Research Station is one example of their dedication to
agriculture and thus the preservation of farmland in our
valley.
Skagit and Washington Farm Bureau - This organization supports
agriculture in many ways, but is the political tool for the
industry across the state and for every commodity.
Washington Growers League - Based in Yakima this organization
educates and supports farmers across the state with employment
issues, policy, and advice.
Cascade Harvest Coalition - Based in King County this group
supports agriculture throughout the Puget Sound and Washington.
They are dedicated to preservation of farming, and to promoting
consumption of locally grown food. CHC is the umbrella support
group for Puget Sound Fresh and Farm .
Speaker's Bureau - dedicated to taking information about
agriculture to the community. This group is made up of a cross
section of our community.
Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation - Mike
was one of the developers and continued supporters of this two year
leadership development foundation. They graduate the 25th class of
30 individuals in the spring of 2004.
Office of Rural & Farm worker Housing - A statewide
organization providing technical assistance to non-profit
organizations (Housing Authorities) to provide and improve housing
throughout the State.
Skagit County Community Action, and Mike and Jean's Berry Farm
have teamed up to provide transitional housing, for the homeless
during the time we do not need the housing for our employees during
the harvest season
WSU Extension Advisory Board, which serves this community in
many vital ways.
"The Berry Good School" - A non-profit daycare that we developed
for our employees. The daycare serves the community as a year round
educational and daycare facility. It is licensed for 45 children,
infants through twelve years of age.
Community Berry Sales: We assist service organizations in
establishing very successful fund raising programs selling our
berries throughout the State.
Terra Nuevo - a non-denominational organization that assists the
Hispanic community. They are there to assist in emergency
situations, and get involved in issues that bring the agricultural
community together with other interest groups for the common good
of all.
Washington State University's College of Agriculture, Human
& Natural Resource Sciences - Mike is chairman of the Dean's
Advisory Council and has been WSU's delegate for National Land
Grant University issues.
Washington State University District 8 Alumni Chairman, which
also allows Jeanne's community interaction and a voice in the State
Government for higher education.
Puget Sound Fresh - subsequent letter.
The Food Alliance - subsequent letter.