History Uncorked: Farm Co-ops of Kitsap

Diane Fish from the Kitsap Conservation District and Mary Phelps from Kitsap Community Food Co-op will share the rich history of our local farm co-ops. The first farmer's co-operative forming in Kitsap as early as 1887 as a buyers club for animal feed. The co-operative business model spread throughout the region as new dairy and poultry farmer associations started and processing facilities settled in near port docks. By the 1920s the Silverdale Poultry Association was shipping nearly 62,000 chickens and 50,000 cases of eggs out of Dyes Inlet utilizing the Mosquito Fleet to transfer product to railcars for distribution throughout the country. The tradition of farming co-operatives continues to this day throughout Kitsap County.