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2018
Fall Equinox Edition

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A Quarterly Newsletter from KCD’s Farm Conservation Planning Team

Welcome Fall Equinox!

With the change in the season, many things are happening around our area. The leaves are turning and starting to fall. One big change we wanted to make sure you knew about is that our office has officially moved. You can now find us in the Ikea Business District of Renton.

800 SW 39th St, Suite 150
Renton, WA 98057

Our phone number has not changed.

In addition to our move, we have had some staffing changes.

Laura Redmond has also joined KCD as the new Landowner Incentive Program Program Manager. If you have been working with Rachel and Alex Martinsons in the past, now you will be working with Laura and Alex.

Gwen Vernon has joined KCD as our new Education Program Manager. Look for exciting new direction from her in the coming months and years.

Sadly, Farm Services Program Manager Emily Webster left KCD in August to work in California with strawberry growers. And Emmett Wild will be leaving KCD next week (read more below).

Your KCD Farm Services Team,
Courtney Naumann, Kevin Watson, Liz Clark, Megan WeldonJay Mirro

Fall Reminders

Fall is here and that means it is time to focus on pasture enhancement/restoration. This is the best time of year to complete annual soil testing, add lime, reseed, and spread nutrients.

  • Remember not to spread manure or compost right before a big rain event!
  • Not sure if this is a good time to spread? Check out the Manure Spreading Advisory to see if your area is at risk.
  • Be sure to plant or spread seed before October 15th for successful germination.
  • Be sure to spread compost before October 31st and avoid over application to reduce runoff.
  • It is also critical to maintain a 3" stubble height (or grass height) so allow healthy and vigorous spring growth.

Remember healthy spring pastures are made in the fall!

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

Bulk Liming Opportunity through Pierce Conservation District

Skip the hassle of spreading lime yourself! Chehalis Valley Agronomics has a 10-acre minimum requirement for lime spreading services with their spreader truck, but can work with farmers nearby to each other who can meet that minimum by combining parcels. If you are interested in collaborating with your neighbors to meet this minimum, send along your name, farm address, acres to be limed and application rate, and date range within which you would like to apply lime this summer/fall, and we will try and match you with other farmers who have responded. If your farm is large enough to meet the 10-acre minimum on its own, but you are interested in adding your acreage to the cooperative efforts to help smaller acreage farmers, please let us know too.

CVA supplies J.A. Jack and Sons agricultural lime for $85/ton spread and a finer grade lime from Columbia River Carbonates for $125/ton spread.

Reach out your KCD Resource Planner or Alison Nichols, Crop Farm Specialist at Pierce Conservation District to find out if you are eligible for this program.

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.

Farewell, Emmett Wild

It is with much disappointment and congratulations that KCD is wishing Emmett Wild great success in his new ventures! As you may or may not know, Emmett has been the award-winner in our office for KCD's longest commuter, and his new position at Skagit Conservation District in Mt. Vernon, which significantly shortens his commute.

From Emmett:

After more than 3 years with KCD, I have accepted a position as the lead planner at Skagit Conservation District where I will continue to support dairies and develop innovative measures to conserve our natural resources and keep farms viable.

My current job has allowed me to meet an incredible group of landowners, agency staff, and stakeholders, and for that I am grateful. You have inspired me to think in new ways. Farmers in King County are fortunate to have the support we provide and access to the resources we cultivate. Over the past 2 years, I have become particularly invested in keeping our dairies viable and leaders in the agricultural community.

Equipment Share Program

Need help managing your pastures?

Consider using KCD’s Kasco Eco-Drill No-Till Seeder to reseed or overseed pasture grasses and legumes. Not sure what seed mix to plant? Reach out to your KCD Resource Planner for assistance. There are still openings between now and October 15. Put in your request early. Staff will also educate the landowner about the important features and necessary care of the equipment. Use will be prioritized for landowners with documented seed drill experience or those who have attended a seed drill or tractor safety training. Seed drill users must have a minimum 30 horse power tractor with 2 rear hydraulic ports.

If you are ready to apply lime and boost your soil pH, consider renting KCD’s Rhino Limer Drop Spreader. The calendar is wide open, so it's a good time to put in your request.

Thanksgiving is coming! If you raised turkeys or chickens, make sure you book early to use KCD’s Featherman Poultry Processing Equipment. Currently, there are plenty of openings left. Check the calendar and fill out the request form.

KCD’s H&N 50 Manure Spreader is only available for use until the end of September.

These tools are available for use for free, year-round:

Kevin Watson

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.


Upcoming KCD Events of Interest

Be sure to take some time this fall to attend some farm tours, classes and Land and Water Stewardship Workshops.

Land and Water Stewardship Workshop Series

All workshops are at Remdmond Regional Library in Redmond, WA.

Streams and Wetlands: Living with Livestock near Water

October 18, 6:30pm

Mud Management: Record Rainfall - Record Mud

Thursday, October 25, 6:30pm

Manure Management: Got Livestock? Got Manure!

Thursday, November 1, 6:30pm

Pasture Management: Becoming a Grass Farmer

Thursday, November 8, 6:30pm

Farm Walk: Pollinators on the Farm

Sunday, October 21, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Auburn, WA

Farm Tour: Horses and Salmon!

Saturday, October 27, 10:00am -12:00pm
Issaquah

One more tour yet to be scheduled 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.

Copyright © 2018 King Conservation District, All rights reserved.


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