Sustainable Agriculture Group 21 Acres to Celebrate New Building Aug. 26

The seeds are sown, the harvest grows and the mortar is laid at the , so on Friday, Aug. 26, the center is opening its doors for a celebration of its new building.

The opening is the culmination of an initial vision that started in 2001 as a home for a farmers market. That vision has evolved into a regional center for sustainable agriculture and education.

The group has three main missions:  to educate the public and potential farmers on sustainable food production, to have a model farm and to offer a year-round local food co-op, says Brenda Vanderloop, communications director of the non-profit organization.

21 Acres will help educate people “who simply want to know where their food comes from” she said. “We want to help them make a connection to the farm and the farmers, so they feel confident they are getting fresh local foods.”

It will also support those who are interested in leasing  and taking classes to learn new agricultural skills. In addition to community education, 21 Acres hopes to offer products such as jams and cooked meals, once its co-op market opens in 2012.

The building itself is seen as an educational tool to help individuals, businesses and government agencies learn to create highly energy-efficient buildings that will last into the future, according to the 21 Acres website.

On Friday, there will be tours of the LEED building, an appearance by , along with local food and refreshments provided by of Kirkland's .

With the opening of the long-awaited center, 21 Acres expects to provide vital infrastructure and education to help support small farms and the local economy, according to Vanderloop.

The Open House is from 4-7 p.m. For more information check the 21 Acres website here.