KCD Planning Team
Provides Conservation
Services for Landowners
The King Conservation District's nine-member Farm Services Team provides a wide range of services for King County landowners. Josh Monaghan, KCD Director of Food & Farm Programs, reported that the team is currently responding to 113 active service requests.
This year to date KCD staff have completed 24 farm conservation plans covering 550 acres. Recommended conservation measures include heavy use area protection, manure storage, cover cropping, hedgerows, and riparian forest buffer planting. Annual follow-up visits ensure increased implementation of recommended measures.
See our Farm Services Page to learn more about KCD programs for local landowners. |
Third Year of Agricultural
Drainage Projects Underway
The KCD Agricultural Drainage Program was initiated in 2015 to help farmers respond to increased flooding. In collaboration with King County Water & Land Resources Division, over the past two years the project cleared more than five miles of blocked drainage channels on farms in the Snoqualmie Valley, Sammamish Valley and Enumclaw Plateau.
This spring King County's Washington Conservation Corps crew planted more than 400 native trees and shrubs along 1,300 ft of channel cleared last year at Goose and Gander Farm near Carnation. For photos of the buffer planting click HERE.
Ben Axt, Ag Drainage Project Coordinator, is working with landowners on a series of projects to be implemented this summer. For additional information see the Agricultural Drainage Program page on our website.
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Agriculture & Natural
Resources Engineer
Position Open
King Conservation District has an opening for a full-time Agriculture & Natural Resources Engineer. Responsibilities include providing landowners with engineering services to implement natural resource management practices, designing and implementing aquatic area enhancement and fish passage projects, designing composting facilities, confinement areas, roof water runoff collection and diversion systems, sub-surface drains, livestock crossings, and manure lagoons, and assisting with stormwater drainage projects. See the Employment Opportunities page on our website for the full job description and application information. |
KCD Hosted 2017
Washington State Envirothon
In mid-May King Conservation District hosted the 2017 Washington State Envirothon at Camp Waskowitz near North Bend. High school teams from across the state participated in the nation's leading environmental competition.
The Okanogan High School team won 1st Place and will proceed to the North American Envirothon in Maryland in July. See Washington State Envirothon photos on our Facebook page. |
WCC Crews Help Restore
Kirkland Native Habitat
This spring KCD’s two Washington Conservation Corps crews helped restore the natural area surrounding Lake Washington Christian Church in Kirkland. Through the District's Urban Shorelines & Riparian Habitat Improvement Program, our WCC crews devoted 450 person hours to plant and mulch more than 1,200 native trees and shrubs along streams flowing through the property. Click HERE for project photos on our Facebook page. |
Vashon Fresh
Debuts June 15th
This summer Vashon shoppers will have an opportunity to purchase directly from more than two dozen Island food producers via a new online marketplace. See the Vashon Fresh website to learn how to place orders for pickup at the Village Green on Tuesday's and Thursdays.
KCD supported development of the online marketing service with a $41,300 Regional Food System Program Grant. |
The Mission Continues at Rainier Beach Urban Farm, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, June 4th
Jacob de Guzman, KCD Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator, assisted The Mission Continues with planning a work party for military veterans at Rainier Beach Urban Farm this Sunday. The focus will be on expanding the growing area in Seattle's largest community farm. For details click HERE.
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Volunteer with the
King Conservation District
See the Volunteer Opportunities page on our website to learn about upcoming events and to join the KCD Outreach Team. This month we will host the following volunteer events:
Native Plant Nursery: June 10 & 16 |
June 5: Noxious Weeds & Invasive Plants Class, Renton
Learn to identify and manage weeds.
June 6: Who’s Who in Hügelkultur, Renton
Share Hügelkultur ideas, information and inspiration.
June 8: Urban Shorelines Workshop, Redmond
Beautify and care for streamside properties.
June 8: Forest Health & Firewise Workshop, North Bend
Improve forest health to reduce wildfire danger.
June 8: Knotweed Control Workshop, Tukwila
First in a series of knotweed workshops around King County.
June 8-11: Vashon Sheepdog Classic, Vashon Island
Visit with KCD staff at one of the nation’s premier sheepdog trials.
June 10: Marine Shorelines Workshop, Federal Way
Learn from experts how to protect bluff and shoreline properties.
June 10: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for stream and wetland restoration.
June 10: Family Farm Day at CitySoil Farm, Renton
Roll up your sleeves and learn about growing food in the city.
June 12: SnoValley Tilth Potluck & Farm Tour, Duvall
Enjoy visiting with neighbors and tour Experience Farm Project.
June 13: Water Conservation Workshop, Issaquah
Strategies for saving water in home and landscape.
June 16: KCD Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Event, Renton
Get hands-on experience with native plants for stream and wetland restoration.
June 20: Beaver Management Workshop, Carnation
Options for managing beavers that impact farmland.
June 21: Urban Shorelines Workshop, Kent
Beautify and care for streamside properties.
June 22: Twilight Pasture Walk, Duvall
Learn how to manage healthy pastures for maximum nutrition.
June 24: Marine Shorelines Workshop, Vashon
Learn from experts how to protect bluff and shoreline properties.
June 25: West Seattle Garden Tour
Enjoy one of the premier garden tours in the Northwest.
June 27-July 1: National Holstein Convention, Bellevue
Meet with Holstein breeders from around the country.
July 13-16: King County Fair, Enumclaw
We look forward to seeing you at the fair!
July 22: Marine Shorelines Workshop, Seattle
Learn from experts how to protect bluff and shoreline properties.
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Hügelmeisters Meet
in Renton, June 6th
We're hosting an evening with Hügelkultur enthusiasts to discuss ways to integrate the traditional European gardening technique in landscape designs. The forum is on Tuesday, June 6, 6:30-8:00 PM in the South King County Treatment Plant conference room.
The event is free, but seating is limited and pre-registration is required. For details and online registration click HERE. See our website to learn more about Hügelkultur. |
Look for KCD Booth
at the Vashon
Sheepdog Classic
KCD is the Educational Sponsor of the 8th Annual Vashon Sheepdog Classic set for June 8-11 at Misty Isle Farm. The event draws dogs and their trainers from across the country, as well as thousands of spectators. KCD staff will be on hand to share information about our programs and services.
Temple Grandin, renowned animal behavior expert, will be a special guest on Sunday, June 11th. Check the Vashon Sheepdog Classic website to learn more about the event. |
Neighbors Plant Paradise
for Kent Refugee Families
KCD and World Relief are partnering on the development of a one-acre community garden at Hillside Church in Kent to serve refugees in the East Hill Neighborhood. Check out the Hillside Paradise Parking Plots Community Garden Facebook page to see photos of recent work parties and learn about upcoming garden events.
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Where the Water Begins - Land Management Practices for Bluff & Marine Shorelines
King Conservation District invites marine shoreline landowners to attend a free workshop where participants will learn about the ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with owning property " Where the Water Begins."
Following the workshops, participants will have access to free KCD technical assistance with designing and installing recommended practices. Workshops will be held at the following locations from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. with an optional lunch and field trip from 12:30-3:30 PM.
June 10th, Dumas Bay, Federal Way
June 24th, Land Trust Building, Vashon
July 22nd, Discovery Park, Seattle |
Beautify & Care for Stream and Wetland Properties
Learn how to protect and beautify properties along streams, lakes and wetlands at our free workshops in Redmond and Kent. Topics will include reducing runoff, controlling invasive weeds, utilizing native plants, and understanding environmental regulations impacting your property.
June 8th, Redmond Library
June 21st, Kent Library |
WSU Forest Health &
Firewise Workshop
June 8th, North Bend
Learn from WSU Extension Forestry and Washington DNR experts about why trees die and what you can do to improve the health of trees on your property. Also get practical tips on how to improve the chance of your home or cabin surviving a wildfire, which is a serious risk, especially in foothill communities. See the WSU Extension Forestry website for details on the free workshop, June 8th in North Bend. |
Raising Sheep & Beef on
Pasture in Snoqualmie Valley
Tour two 100% grass-fed sheep and cattle farms near Duvall, June 22nd, 6:30-9:00 PM. Hosted by WSU Snohomish County, the Twilight Pasture Walk fee is $25 per farm (up to four in one vehicle) or $15 per individual. Click HERE for details and online registration. |
Bring Your Family to
Mary Olson Farm
Historic Mary Olson Farm, the best preserved working homestead in King County, will be open for visitors each weekend from June 24th through August 27th. Bring the entire family to see the gardens, salmon bearing stream, 100+ year old orchard, 1902 farmhouse and 1897 barn, friendly livestock ambassadors, and a great interpretive walking tour. The farm is located at 28728 Green River Rd, Kent. |
Knotweed Control
Workshops Scheduled
King County will host a series of five free Knotweed Control Workshops in June and July. Workshop locations are Tukwila, Mercer Island, Carnation, Maple Valley, and North Bend. Click HERE for workshop details and the full schedule. |
Reserve the KCD Spreader to
Make Effective Use of Manure
King Conservation District has a two-yard manure spreader for rent to landowners in our service area. The spreader is available for $30/day or $80/weekend. Landowners are encouraged to pick up the spreader at our offices in Renton.
The KCD manure spreader will be on Vashon Island from July 17-31st, and Vashon landowners should register to reserve the manure spreader only during those dates. For details and a link to our online reservation form see the KCD Manure Spreader Loan Program. |
Poultry Processing
Equipment Available for Rent
Producers in King County can rent the trailer-mounted poultry processing equipment for just $25 for 48 hours. The Northwest Agriculture Business Center manages online scheduling, and Grange Supply in Issaquah serves as the equipment pick-up and drop-off location. See our website for details on renting the Poultry Processing Equipment. |
Take Advantage of KCD's
Free Soil Testing Service
King Conservation District provides up to five free soil tests for all properties in our service area. See our Soil Testing Program page for details. |
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Link with our Facebook page to keep up with the latest news from King Conservation District. |
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