The Puyallup Watershed Initiative

he Puyallup Watershed Initiative (PWI) is a 10-year effort in the southern portion of Puget Sound. It is focused on improving social and environmental conditions in the watershed while bringing community organizations, agencies, businesses and funders together for our common good.

The Agriculture Community of Interest (AgCOI), of which the Pierce Conservation District is a member, is a community-based collaboration actively focused on supporting an economically-viable and environmentally-sustainable agricultural community in the Puyallup Watershed and greater Pierce County.

The AgCOI envisions a future in which healthy, safe, secure, and sustainable food production is inextricably linked to the economy and to the quality of life of the local community.  To achieve that goal, the Pierce Conservation District is among many partner organizations and farms active in strategy working groups.  PCD leads the strategy on balancing the social, economic, and environmental benefits on agricultural land, and is active in several others.  

For more information on the AgCOI, important dates, and resources, please visit PWI.org.

Pierce County Fresh is proud to be a part of the Eat Local First Collaborative, a group of statewide partner organizations working together to build a statewide resource dedicated to connecting consumers and farmers.

Earlier this month, the Collaborative launched the new Washington Food & Farm Finder, a comprehensive and mobile-friendly searchable database connecting Washington State residents with more than 1,700 sustainable and organic farms, farmers markets, and food businesses around the state representing 37 counties.  

Washingtonians are also encouraged to buy directly from local producers for the holiday season. The new website features a Holiday Food & Farm Finder with ideas on holiday meal planning and gift ideas, what’s in season and more. There’s even a Holiday Gift Guide featuring farms and local producers with online stores for easy, at-home shopping.

Collaborative members include The Local Food Trust, Pierce County Fresh, Sustainable Connections, Tilth Alliance, Washington State University Food Systems, and Washington State University Regional Small Farms Program with anticipated future participation from partners across the state including Genuine Skagit Valley, Gorge Grown Network, Island Grown in the San Juans, the Methow Conservancy, and Walla Walla Grown.

Funding for the Washington Food & Farm Finder was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service through grant AM170100XXXXG123. Additional support was made possible from The Whatcom Community Foundation and Washington State Department of Agriculture Regional Markets Program.