Island farmers and growers can learn techniques for commercial production of salad greens at an upcoming workshop sponsored by the Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA). The Salad Greens Workshop, set for the evening of March 11, will be taught by Susan Moser, who is well known in small farm circles for her commercial success growing and marketing organic greens.

Moser’s enterprise began over two decades ago on 30 acres of newly-logged land in the Cascade foothills near Morton, Washington. Using a 30’ by 72’ greenhouse, Moser produces her cash crop on less than a 100th of an acre, and she believes that any grower with half an acre can do the same. Moser’s recipe for producing organic greens at an affordable, yet profitable, price was first laid out in her book, Salad Gardening for Profit, published in 1992. She has more recently released a DVD and companion manual, Growing Greens for Love and Money.

With an operation that generates more than $500 a week over nine months, Moser has built a comfortable life around a product she believes in, and she would like to see more growers do the same. “My interest is spreading the word and practice of growing food locally--specifically greens, a highly nutritious, low fat food needed by everybody, over and over again.” At the Salad Greens Workshop, Moser will show her 70-minute movie, present an overview of her methods, and answer growers’ questions. The following morning, workshop attendees can follow Moser afield to two Vashon-Maury farms where she will continue a half-day outdoor workshop.

The Susan Moser Salad Greens Workshop begins at 6:00 PM, Friday March 11th in the Common House at Vashon Cohousing, 10421 SW Bank Rd. The workshop is free for members of VIGA and $5 for nonmembers. Attendees are encouraged to come early for a potluck dinner Friday night, starting at 5:30.

Vashon Island Growers Association is a chapter of Washington Tilth, which has been dedicated to preserving and promoting sound and sustainable agriculture for more than 30 years. VIGA membership is open to all; one needn’t be a farmer to join. Learn more about Susan Moser at www.susan-moser-greens.com . Follow local farm news at www.vigavashon.org .