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In this issue:
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Prepare for local beverage: barley field day July 19th in Adna, WA
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Ties to the Land succession planning workshop workshop
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WSU WISE (Water Irrigation Systems Efficiency) - free irrigation audit
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Soil nutrient for vegetable farming workshop at Urban Futures Farm with the Thurston Conservation District
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New regional Extension forester putting on Forest Stewardship Coached Planning workshop
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Compost Facility Operator Training - registration open
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Brown marmorated stinkbug survey open for commercial producers
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Pacific Northwest Drought and Climate Outlook webinar
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Cocktails and native plants? What a great mix!
Check it out: a list of recent farming resources, videos and webinars
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Barley field day for craft brewing, distilling and malting
July 19th ~ 4:30 - 7 pm
The barley plots in Adna look great for this Thursdays field day. We'll talk grain and malting quality data from the '17 variety trials, review whiskey flavor data, walk the 2018 plots and discuss strategies to link our region's grain farmers to our burgeoning brewing and distilling scene. Join us at 653 Bunker Creek Rd, Adna, WA. Hear from farmers, distillers, brewers, WSU breeding and flavor analysis researchers, and build relationships to get our grain into our craft beverages. Email with any questions: bramwell@wsu.edu. Or visit visit here.
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Ties to the Land Succession Planning Workshop
Washington State University Extension is offering the award-winning “Ties to the Land” succession planning workshop in Olympia in August. The workshop will be offered Saturday, August 11, at the Olympic National Forest Headquarters from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., located at 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA. Registration for the workshop is $50 per family or ownership, and includes one workbook, a DVD, and refreshments. For more information, contact Andy Perleberg, (509) 667-6540, andyp@wsu.edu, or visit here.
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WSU WISE program
WSU WISE is a USDA-funded program that focuses on increasing irrigation efficiencies and reducing water waste. WSU WISE offers free on-farm irrigation audits throughout Washington State, producing tailored suggestions for equipment upgrades, change in practice, or irrigation tech assistance programs. For more information about a setting up a free on-farm irrigation audit, contact Don McMoran, project investigator at WSU Skagit County Extension: dmcmoran@wsu.edu.
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Soil Health for Vegetable Farming Workshop - Thurston Conservation District
The health of your soil could be hugely impacting your garden. Join us for a field day at Urban Futures Farm in Olympia to learn about the importance of soil health and how to influence your own garden to increase production, maximize efficiency, and preserve healthy soils. RSVP: Nora White, nwhite@thurstoncd.com or 360-754-3588 x105. Visit the TCD events page for details. Picture citation: NRCS Soil health webpage.
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Registration Open for Forest Stewardship Coached Planning
Forest Stewardship Coached Planning – Chehalis, WA, an 8-week course on forest management for small landowners. Mondays, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, September 17th – November 5th. Lewis County Classroom at 156 NW Chehalis Ave, Chehalis, WA 98532.
Register and more information here.
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Compost Facility Operator Training
(Washington Organics Recycling Council)
The Washington Organics Recycling Council provides compost facility operator technical knowledge and promotes sound operating techniques through its annual Compost Facility Operator Training. Click here to register to attend!
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Pacific Northwest Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar
The Pacific Northwest Drought Early Warning System (PNW DEWS) June 2018 Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular drought and climate outlook webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (i.e. El Niño and La Niña). To listen visit the webinar site click here.
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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Survey for Producers
A nation-wide survey is currently underway to gather information from farmers and growers on the economic impact of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) on agriculture. The objective of the survey is to better provide you with the help you need in managing this pest. The link to the on-line survey along with more information about the survey can be found on the StopBMSB.org website (http://stopbmsb.org/go/BfxA).
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Cocktails and Native Plants? What a great mix!
Unwind after a long week while enjoying garden tours, light supper, live music, and hand-crafted cocktails & mocktails in a beautiful private garden oasis on Olympia’s Westside. This fundraiser supports Native Plant Salvage Foundation’s hands-on environmental education and action projects to protect and conserve water resources and habitat in our region. Tickets and details: www.nativeplantsalvage.org, or 360-867-2164.
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Farm Videos, Webinars, & Jobs
- Healthy Soils and Carbon Farming: Torri Estrada (Executive Director at the Carbon Cycle) will be speaking about California’s recent experience with policies to support agricultural soil health alongside soil carbon sequestration and water conservation. He will also discuss emerging efforts in other states relating to improved soil health.
- Our Farms, Our Futures Podcast: Dry Farming. In this new episode of the Our Farms, Our Future Podcast, Garrett, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, and Rosmann, an Iowa farmer, discuss how water trends and patterns impact agriculture in their regions.
- Webinar: An Assessment of Organic Farming on Soil Physical Qualities: Oregon Tilth, University of Nebraska.
- Webinar: Weed Management, An Ecological Approach: eXtension (an online nationwide Extension information resource).
- Preventing Outbreaks of Avian Influenza: Vidoes developed by Dr. Nathaniel Tablante for avian influenza emergency response for three different audiences: commercial, backyard and technical service providers. Videos are in Spanish and English.
- Organic Farming Research Foundation has developed two new guides to help organic producers navigate the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) offered through the USDA Farm Service Agency.
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What workshops are you interested in for 2018?
The WSU Thurston Agriculture program is shaping up for 2018, but we'd be interested to know if you have a farming topic you are interested in, and other farmers you know are as well. Get in touch and let me know what your ideas are: bramwell@wsu.edu. And stay tuned for upcoming events.
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