Program details Washington agriculture and impact
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 9 months AGO
The ‘Washington Grown’ crew checks out the operation at the Washington State University cheese factory. The show was nominated for three Northwest Emmys.
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | April 14, 2016 1:45 PM
MOSES LAKE — A weekly television program that highlights Washington agriculture was nominated for three Northwest Emmy awards.
Washington Grown was nominated for Best Informational/Instructional Program, Best Interview/Discussion Program and Best Arts/Entertainment program, said Ryan Holterhoff of the Washington State Potato Commission. The WSPC and the Washington Wheat Growers were the founding partners for Washington Grown, now in its third season.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Seattle in June.
The show tells the story of Washington agriculture, focusing on a different commodity in each episode. Each features the work of a family farm, detailing how each crop is produced. That’s followed by a visit to a restaurant somewhere in the state to see how chefs are using the commodity in their recipes. Episodes end with a recipe families can prepare in their own kitchens.
Kristi Gorenson is the host, and was nominated for a Northwest Emmy in 2014. The show won national Telly awards in 2014 and 2015.
Agriculture is a crucial part of Washington’s economy. The industry contributes more than $50 billion to the state’s economy, according to the Washington Department of Agriculture. Farmers, growers and ranchers produce about 300 different agricultural commodities, and the industry employs about 160,000 people.
“Agriculture, and the food our family farms are growing, play such a dynamic part in Washington, yet many people are unaware of the impact it has on us,” said WSPC director Chris Voigt. Getting the message out was the motivation behind Washington Grown, he said.
“Dozens of family farms and local chefs have been showcased,” Holterhoff said.
“The great part about the concept of the show is that there are no shortages of really interesting and compelling stories,” said Dave Tanner, president of North by Northwest Productions. (The company produces Washington Grown.) “Food is what brings us all together, whether you live on a farm or in downtown Seattle. It’s really fun to show how we are all connected by what we eat and what Washington’s family farmers are growing.”
The show airs weekly on KSPS (Spokane) and NCWN, Holterhoff said.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Aaron Garza selected as Othello Police Chief
OTHELLO — New Othello Police Chief Aaron Garza said he likes serving his community.
Othello School District to offer four-year EP&O levy
OTHELLO — Othello School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 10. Ballots are being mailed this week. Typically, Othello has submitted a three-year levy to voters, but Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said there are no guarantees when it comes to state funding. “I think it's certainly the unease around finances in the state of Washington for schools,” Perez said. “We were trying to look for a little more predictability and stability, and so the community group felt like four years was the appropriate amount of time for us to consider.”
New location, new look for Othello Library
OTHELLO — The Othello Library is attracting a lot of attention in its new space. “Everybody comments on how beautiful it is, and how fresh it is, and that it looks great, and that they’re really happy,” Othello Head Librarian Georgia Reitmire said. “One of our customers came in this morning, and she said, ‘Everybody in town is talking about the new library.’ And I thought, ‘That is amazing.’” The library moved to its new location, 125 E. Hemlock St., in December. While the new and old libraries are about the same size, the new library adds meeting rooms and updated spaces students can reserve to study. “We’re way busier than we used to be. Way busier,” said Jenny Nayala, library customer service specialist.