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The Genuine Skagit Valley campaign has been granted a certification mark from the United States Patent and Trademark office Patsy Martin, executive director of The Port of Skagit, announced Feb. 9. Agricultural products and agricultural services from the Skagit Valley can now be certified as to their origin by this federally registered mark.

The Port has advanced toward this goal for almost 10 years. They worked with the Washington State Department of Commerce to have Skagit Valley designated an Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ), focusing on value-added agriculture in 2013. The Skagit Valley Value-Added Agriculture IPZ nurtures partnerships to enhance the local agricultural industry. The Genuine Skagit Valley Certification Mark is the result of the IPZ initiative.

Martin thanked “Skagit Valley farmers, producers, businesses, community leaders and Port members who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality.”

A Port news release notes that thousands of Skagit Valley growers, producers and food artisans offer hundreds of agricultural treasures and natural goodness worldwide. The Skagit Valley agricultural economy’s diversity includes approximately 100 large farm operations (primarily wholesale) and approximately 1,000 small agricultural enterprises (retail and wholesale) supplying over 80 agricultural products.

The Skagit Valley provides nearly 95% of the U.S. supply of table beet seed, 75% of the U.S. supply of spinach seed and approximately 8% of the spinach seed used throughout the world. Skagit Valley farmers are producing approximately 25% of the world’s cabbage seed and 50% of the world’s beet seed. More tulips, daffodils and iris bulbs are produced in the Skagit Valley than in any other county in the United States.

Approximately 50 million cut flowers are grown in greenhouses and fields and approximately 95 percent of the red potatoes grown in Washington State are from Skagit Valley.

Preference for Skagit Valley’s agricultural products and services builds their perceived value and relevance in the minds of residents, regional, national and international fresh food artisans, fresh food purchasers, consumers, food marketers, government agencies and influencers.

Highlighting the origin aspect of a product or service, in conjunction with others doing the same, communicates that the Skagit Valley is special.

The Genuine Skagit Valley Mark does not replace any individual’s or producer’s brand, it magnifies it as a positive “Halo” brand. The emphasis is on origin.

The Northwest Agriculture Business Center is managing and administering the Certification Mark program.

A simple application for certification and a nominal annual fee are required to be a member of Genuine Skagit Valley and use the Certification Mark. Please visit Genuine Skagit Valley for more information.

The La Conner Weekly News joined early as a pioneer member in early 2019.

Get more information from Marketing Coordinator Blake Vanfield: 360.336.3727, [email protected].

Source: Port of Skagit