A: Hi Julia, If you send me your information and what kind of work you're looking for, I can post it to the local farmers listserve for you. Several other folks have gotten work or volunteer opportunities that way. Send to shonie@sconnect.org. Hurrah for enthusiastic new farmers!

A: That's a question with a big answer, since there are so many great places in Whatcom County to get local food. The BEST place, in my mind, is straight from the farmers themselves. Pick up a Whatcom Farm Map & Guide at any library (or many local businesses) for a listing of 69 farms who sell directly to their customers. Visit their farm stands, become a Community Supported Agriculture shareholder, go on a u-pick adventure when berry season starts, or just head down to the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturdays (or Wednesdays in Fairhaven starting in June). If you can't make it to the farm and your Saturdays are full, you're certainly not out of luck. The Community Food Co-op, Terra Organica, and Haggen stores offer local products--read labels and ask your grocery manager what's local today (I got local asparagus, sprouts, hamburger, and milk at Terra yesterday). And there are dozens of local restaurants using ingredients from Whatcom farms too--just ask your server next time you're out. (And stay tuned for the new "Guide to Eating Local" companion piece to the Whatcom Farm Map, listing all those restaurants, grocers and more, coming soon.) And it's just going to get better as the season swings into high gear. Mmm, tomatoes... I hope that helps! -Shonie