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In this issue:
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WSU Thurston County prairie grazing project funded by Western SARE, may provide more opportunities for including working prairie lands in Thurston County Habitat Conservation Plan
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Food processing facility project underway - Port funding supports food processing market evaluation and processing line model
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WSU Extension Forest and Range Owners Field Day
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Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety workshop
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Organic reduced tillage field day at WSU Puyallu research station
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Nutrient recovery technology field day
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FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods workshop, WSU Food Processing program training
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WSDA Organic Program Videos
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Tell WSU Extension what you need to learn about
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Prairie Grazing Project in Thurston County
In spring 2018, a regional research collaborative received a Western region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension (SARE) Grant. The project will run for three years, and study the potential for rare species conservation on grazed prairie in south Puget Sound. Read more here.
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Food Processing Facility Project
A regional research effort is underway to conduct a market and processing line analysis for a frozen food processing facility. Work in 2018 will evaluate buyers at farmers markets, hospital and school cafeterias, customers of box subscription programs, and others. Project website can be accessed here.
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Forest and Range Landowners Field Day
This event will include classes and activities lead by experts in forest and range health, wildlife habitat, grazing, soils, fire protection, and timber and nontimber forest products. Presenters will be available to answer questions specific to your needs and situation. Youth activities are available throughout the day! More information and to register here.
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Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Workshop
To help our farmers and ranchers develop safe farm machinery habits, the Tractor & Farm Machinery Safety Workshop developed by WSU Skagit County Extension is coming to King County Wed. May 9, 2018, 8am to 5pm! Cost of the workshop is $75 per person. Register online at TractorSafety.eventbrite.com. Course happens rain or shine. Dress for the weather and bring a brown bag lunch. For more details on the course itself, contact Don McMoran at dmcmoran@wsu.edu (360) 428-4270 ext. 225.
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WSU Cover Crop Field Day + No-till Drill Training
Come find out what researchers at WSU Puyallup are learning about integrating cover crops in PNW farming systems, and stick around for the first opportunity to complete the training session for operating the drill required to rent the drill. Register and more information here.
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Nutrient Recovery Technology Field Day
Upcoming field day focusing on two different types of nutrient recovery technology:
- A dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit operating at Edaleen Dairy removes fine solids from manure wastewater.
- WSU Extension’s mobile struvite system will demonstrate struvite fluidized bed technology, which captures phosphorus in liquid dairy manure in the form of struvite, an easy to handle fertilizer source.
Come see these technologies in action and learn more about them from WSU researchers and their commercial partners. Register and additional information here.
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FSMA Preventive Controls Workshop
MEETING THE NEW FDA REQUIREMENTS FSPCA: HAZARD ANALYSIS AND RISK-BASED PREVENTATIVE CONTROLS
This training is heavily subsidized by the WSDA’s support through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, FDA Cooperative Agreement, and WSU Extension. This training is directed towards small and medium sized Specialty Crop Growers and Processors in the State of Washington. The comprehensive list of the specialty crops can be found on this website:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop. More information and registration available.
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WSDA Organic Program Videos
The WSDA Organic Program has several new videos to help businesses interested in organic production or processing.
- Preventative Practices for Organic Handlers: USDA certified organic livestock has specific requirements about feed, nutrition, health care, and access to the outdoors. Listen in as WSDA certified organic operations talk about how they manage feed and pasture requirements for organic livestock.
- Organic Livestock Feed Requirements: Organic certification requires maintaining organic integrity from the sourcing of ingredients to the final packaging and distribution of the product. Learn about the key steps and procedures to avoid commingling and contamination of organic processed products.
- Steps to Certification: Organic Certification doesn’t have to be daunting. Explore the five key steps in the organic certification process.
- Preventative Practices for Crop Producers: Managing weed, insect, and disease pests on an organic farm requires addressing potential problems before they arise. Learn more about preventative practices and how they are required for organic certification.
- Recordkeeping: Keeping accurate records is crucial for any business. Find out what types of records are required for organic certification and how they will be evaluated during the certification process.
Filmed in Washington State and available in both English and Spanish, the video series provide viewers with a practical approach to meeting organic requirements. Find all the videos, plus additional resources, on our Interested in Organic certification page: https://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/Organic/NewOrg.aspx
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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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