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Central Oregon Agriculture Newsletter
February 10, 2023

We Need Your Feedback! 

It's been a little over a year since we rolled out the new format for the Central Oregon Ag Newsletter. Please take a moment to take this brief (really!) 3 question survey.

Horse Health in Central Oregon Workshop coming February 23rd   

Raising healthy, happy horses in Central Oregon poses a unique set of challenges thanks to our environment and climate. For instance, when May comes and lots of pasture grass is growing, horses cooped up all winter can overeat when turned out on pasture. Over consumption of lush pasture grass may result in laminitis or founder.
Come learn from local experts Scott Duggan of OSU Extension, Dr. Maura Mack of Black Diamond Equine, and Greg Roush of Purina about proper diet, supplements, and other wellness practices to avoid problems that can do serious damage to your horse.
If you’re new to the area, this workshop is a must.  If you've been here for a while, come for a refresher or see what's changed.
Register today https://schoolofranch.org/w-equinehealth. Workshop registration is free or "pay what you can".
For more information, contact Mark Gross, School of Ranch.

Deschutes SWCD Announces 1st Plant Sale  

The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) announce their first plant sale. Interested in incorporating native plants at your property while also supporting funds toward technical assistance for the community? Consider preordering from DSWCD's first plant sale here! Pick up for pre-orders is April 22nd.
The latest edition of the Deschutes SWCD Quarterly Newsletter is available now! Read all about it here!

Burning to know more about TREX in Central Oregon?

We are pleased to announce that we will now be accepting applicants for the 2023 Central Oregon Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX), being held April 24th-May 5th in Bend, Oregon!
Click HERE to apply and please see the attached flier and application packet for details, application instructions, and what to expect during the program. We will be accepting applicants between now and Feb. 15th, so apply today
About Central OR TREX: The objective of the two-week TREX program in Central Oregon is to facilitate peer-to-peer, experiential learning for prescribed fire professionals and others interested in advancing innovative tools to restore fire-adapted ecosystems. Participants will engage in hands-on training in the ecology of fire-adapted ecosystems, communications and community outreach, prescribed fire monitoring, operational assignments, prescribed fire use, and collaboration among a diverse array of participating individuals and organizations.
For more information contact Thomas Stokely thomas.stokely@tnc.org; 541-699-6651.
Looking forward to burning with you!

ODA Drought and Heat Information Gathering

Who: Any individuals actively farming in the state of Oregon who are concerned about, or are currently contending with, drought and heat pressures on-farm.   

What to Expect: A brief (30 to 40 minutes) interview regarding your on-farm practices, strategies, and resource needs in relation to drought and heat mitigation. Interviews will be recorded, but the data will be anonymized prior to inclusion in the report. You may also opt to withdraw your participation at any point. Interviews may be done in-person (depending on location), via Zoom, or by phone depending on your preference.   

Benefits: Your input will help guide the state legislature in enacting real-world policy measures and directing future research and funding to provide meaningful resources to Oregon agriculturalists.   

To participate in this initiative, please use this link to schedule an interview. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at nelsenb@oregonstate.edu
We offer you our sincere thanks in advance for your time and input and look forward to working with you.   

For more information please contact: Berit Nelsen, Maria Zamora Re, and Abigail Tomasek 

Burn with Benefits - Intro to Biochar Workshop

Do you burn? Use Biochar? Learn to get the most out of this fantastic product from a leading expert. This workshop is brought to you by The High Desert Food and Farm AllianceThe Roundhouse Foundation, and School of Ranch. The workshop is led by expert Kelpie Wilson of Wilson Biochar. There will be an informational webinar held via Zoom on March 2nd, and a live demonstration will be held at Pine Meadow Ranch in Sisters on March 11th. 

This workshop is for people who work large acreage and small or are responsible for forest management, and who want to tap into the benefits of biochar. You will learn ways to set up and conduct burns with and without kilns, what size kiln is right for you, and how to turn charcoal into biochar. You will also be able to get questions answered about your situation and determine what path forward is right for you. 

For more information and to register, head to https://schoolofranch.org/w-biochar.

Looking for back issues of the CO Ag Newsletter or looking for contact information for one of our Central Oregon Extension Experts? Visit the Central Oregon Ag News website at:  https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/coagnews/

Cattle checking out burlap sample bags. Photo credit: T. Wilson
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