Happy Summer Solstice!

Summertime Reminders

While your livestock are out enjoying the ample spring and summer grass, remember the 3-inch rule and do the following:

• Rotate animals to another pasture once you’ve noticed that the current pasture has been grazed down to 3 inches.
• Mow pastures after livestock are removed to prevent weed propagation and keep grass from going to seed.
• Remember that grass growth slows down in August and growth stops completely in some areas.

For more detailed information about pasture management recommendations in western Washington, check out this new resource from WSU, OSU and NRCS.

The Western Oregon and Washington Pasture Calendar - Adobe Acrobat PDF

Outstanding in the Field

KCD Farmer Spotlight

This quarter we’d like to introduce you to Sean Stratman of Dancing Crow Farm.

Sean has been working with KCD for many years and recently KCD highlighted his Beaver Pond Leveling Project in a spring farm tour back in April. The project was done last summer to help improve drainage on the farm, while still allowing the beavers to live and thrive.

Follow the farm on Facebook.

Landowner Incentive Program Opportunities

Do you have projects that you have been putting off due to weather and/or the cost? KCD’s Landowner Incentive Program can help take some of the burden off implementing best management practices.

Summer is the perfect time to get those construction-related projects completed before the fall rain returns such as building that animal waste storage facility or putting up gutters and downspouts.

Reach out to your KCD Farm Conservation Resource Planner today to get started on the application and planning process. Get those projects done, get reimbursed after completion and go into fall feeling relieved that you are set up for winter in western Washington.

Upcoming KCD Events of Interest

Be sure to take some time this summer to attend some farm tours, workshops and the revitalized King County Fair.

Twilight Tour! Stream Walk

Thursday, June 28, 6:30pm
Game Farm Wilderness Park, Auburn

King County Fair

Thursday, July 19, 10am - 10pm
Friday, July 20, 10am - 10pm
Saturday, July 21, 10am - 10pm
Sunday, July 22, 10am - 6pm
Enumclaw Expo Center, Enumclaw

Twilight Tour! Stream Walk

Thursday, August 2, 6:30pm
Issaquah

Permaculture and Pollinators

Tuesday, August 7, 7:00pm
21 Acres Center, Woodinville

Class: Track Paddocks and Slow Feeders for Horses

Sunday, August 19, 1:00pm
The Grange, Issaquah

Two more farm fours are being planned for later this year. One tour will highlight Energy on the Farm, presented in partnership with Puget Sound Energy. Please watch our website and social media outlets for information about other events to be scheduled.

Visit http://kingcd.eventbrite.com to register for farm tours and workshops.

Equipment Share Program

KCD has the following available for use with a fee:

• H&N 50 Manure Spreader - for spreading composted animal waste and other compost
• Rhino Limer Drop Spreader - for seed, fertilizer lime application
• Kasco Eco-Drill No-Till Seeder - for reseeding pasture and seeding cover crops
• Featherman Poultry Processing Equipment - for harvesting and processing poultry of all types

And these tools are available for use for free:

• Hay Probe - for testing nutritional levels of animal forage
• Weed Wrenches - for removing invasive weeds such as Scotch Broom
• Soil Sampling Probes - for sampling your soil to submit to KCD’s Soil Nutrient Testing Program

Please visit Equipment Share Program to check availability and rent or borrow any of our equipment. Contact Kevin Watson at farmservicesip@kingcd.org or 425-282-1952.