It is our belief that a business has a responsibility to its community and its employees. We invest in the future of our community and continue to be involved in organizations that are responsible for positive progress for our community and agricultural business. For example:

• United Way of Skagit County

• Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland – An organization that may be solely responsible for the preservation of agriculture in Skagit County and the preservation of a way of life important to the community and the state. Their commitment of time and finances to the WSU Research Station is one example of their dedication to agriculture and thus the preservation of farmland in our valley.

• Speaker’s Bureau - dedicated to taking information about agriculture to the community. This group is made up of a cross section of our community.

• Agriculture Forestry Leadership Association - Mike was one of the developers and continued supporters of this leadership development organization. They graduated their 21st class of 30 individuals this spring.

• The combined efforts of the Washington State Housing Authority and Mike and Jean’s Berry Farm are seeking solutions to seasonal worker housing.

• Skagit County Community Action and Mike and Jean’s Berry Farm have teamed up to provide transitional housing for the homeless during the time we do not need the housing for our employees during the harvest season. This is working very well.

• WSU Extension Advisory Board which serves this community in many vital ways.

• "The Berry Good School" - this a non-profit daycare that we developed for our employees. The daycare serves the community as a year round educational and daycare facility. It is licensed for 30 children, infants through twelve years of age.

• Rotary Berry Sales: We are responsible for a very successful fund raising program for Rotary Clubs and other service groups across the state.

• Tierra Nueva - a non-denominational organization that assists the Hispanic community. They are there to assist in emergency situations and get involved in issues that bring the agricultural community together with other interest groups for the common good of all.

• Washington State University’s "CARET" (Council on Agriculture Education & Teaching) – Mike is chairman of the College of Agriculture and Economics Advisory Board and is WSU’s delegate for national issues.

• Washington State University District 8 Alumni Chairman which also allows community interaction and a voice in Olympia for higher education.

• Puget Sound Fresh

We have an interest in the future of this community and have always been involved in organizations, both community and business related. Presently we are board members of or have formed an alliance with several local groups. For example, the United Way of Skagit County, Skagitonians to Preserve Farm Land, The Speakers Bureau, The Housing Authority, Our Church and The Skagit County Community Action. These local organizations are responsible for some positive progress for our community. Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland may be the sole organization responsible for the preservation of agriculture in Skagit County and the preservation of a way of life important to the community and the state. Time and financial investment in the WSU Research Station is one example of their efforts to insure the future of agriculture, thus farmland. The Speakers Bureau was developed to take information about agriculture to the community; it is made up of individuals from the entire community.