By Zach Maskin
8/29/11

If you are looking for another way to expand your forest and agricultural products marketability, you might consider seeking Salmon Safe certification in addition to FSC.  Salmon Safe is a certification sponsored by Stewardship Partnership, a Seattle-based non-profit that NNRG has collaborated with for over six years. Salmon Safe certification is provided to farms whose agricultural practices protect water quality and restore salmon habitat.  According to Denise Pranger, Executive Director of NNRG, Salmon Safe has a strong connection to FSC, stating that “both certifications have comparable values which help farming endeavors similar to our forestry endeavors.”  Adding the Salmon Safe endorsement to your land has potential fiscal benefits, Pranger suggests, and both certifications will allow members to target different markets and diversify income streams.

The foundation of Salmon Safe is rooted in conservation. The majority of the wild salmon that still inhabit the continental United States are found in the Pacific Northwest, so it is important to use land management practices that do not harm the salmon’s fragile habitat. Healthy salmon runs are dependent on healthy forests and forest productivity, and a Salmon Safe certification endorses your land management practices as conducive to support healthy salmon habitat.

Some NCF members, such as Jim Park and Barb Wood of ParkWood Family Forest in the Nisqually have already chosen to pursue dual certification of Salmon Safe and FSC. As Jim put it, “it was a natural extension of two things: a protection of natural resources and sustainable practices in timber and agriculture.” Jim quickly pointed out several advantages of having both certifications saying that “for environmentally minded customers, [certification] is meaningful and allows us to establish a market niche.” Jim also suggests that having two certifications is valuable when dealing with difficult regulatory standards. “Certification gives us greater tools to deal with regulation and allows us to show any agency that we are being responsible.”  For FSC members considering adding Salmon Safe certification, Barb reports “it’s been a very pleasant process and the staff have been very helpful.” Jim and Barb received a grant to help with the initial cost and called the entire process virtually painless.

NCF member John Henrikson from Wild Thyme Farm is also FSC certified and is considering Salmon Safe certification. “FSC is extremely important to selling wood products, as most of my customers request FSC” John says.  As Wild Thyme Farm moves towards future food production, he is interested in having Salmon Safe certification for the portion of his land not FSC certified. Wild Thyme Farm is currently undertaking a riparian restoration project and John sees Salmon Safe as an opportunity to actively create positive salmon habitat.

Kristin Kofmehl, Salmon Safe Program Coordinator at Stewardship Partnership, is enthusiastic about the many benefits of Salmon Safe: “We recognize farmers who go above and beyond to incorporate habitat improvements and water quality into their land management practices. The Salmon Safe logo helps farmers tell their story in the marketplace and is an education tool for consumers.”  Stewardship Partners teaches Puget Sound area landowners about Salmon Safe certification, and delivers promotional support, management tips and tools to certified members.

After certifying its first farm in Oregon over ten years ago, Salmon Safe quickly expanded to Washington and now has members in Northern California and Vancouver, BC area. Salmon Safe supports large and small land owners alike, working to create a culture of environmentally conscious land management. Kofmehl explained how Salmon Safe certification has influenced even large commercial landowners. Draper Valley Farms in Mount Vernon, WA was recently certified and Kofmehl believes the process changed their perspective on land, streams, and environmental health. Large certifications such as Draper Valley Farm promote the Salmon Safe brand as it now has a wider presence in major grocery stores and not just farmers markets.

FSC and Salmon Safe are complimentary certifications and the certifications are provided by complimentary organizations. “Both NNRG and Stewardship Partnership have a joint commitment to conservation and sustainable economic development in rural communities,” says Pranger. Salmon Safe is an outstanding opportunity for forest landowners to increase the marketability of their agricultural products and receive recognition for outstanding environmental stewardship. It is an opportunity fully endorsed by your friends here at NNRG.