Free Soil Building Workshop Planned

jgiuntoli October 20th, 2009

Join WSU Extension and the Northwest Ag Business Center at the Whidbey Island Greenbank Farm on Monday, October 26th, from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm to learn more about improving soils with composted manures. Knowledge of soil structure and fertility is important for any farm, but can be more challenging for small organic farms (certified or using organic practices) located on marginal soils. Information in this workshop will not be restricted to those working within organic standards, but will focus on more sustainable farming practices.

Craig Cogger, Extension Soil Scientist with the WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, will address organic amendments, issues of food safety with manure applications, concerns about clopyralid and other synthetic pesticide residues, and C/N ratios and compost stability.

After a “networking lunch,” David Ridle, with Skagit Farmer Supply’s Rural Living and Youth Programs, and Ken Petry, local farmer, will demonstrate various methods for applying composted manures, via a tractor with appropriate implements, and a rototiller.

This workshop is funded by a mini-grant from the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) Professional Development Program. Extension educators from across the district are encouraged to attend. It has been planned to dovetail with an existing CSA training program being conducted on a publicly owned, organically certified site. It has been designed to simultaneously support farmers and to:

  • Develop WSU Extension educators’ understanding of sustainable soil building approaches using composted manures on organic sites,
  • Expand their familiarity with methods of implementing these approaches using technologies available to small farmers, and
  • Strengthen their skills of effectively engaging with small farmers to design sustainable soil building plans for their site.

Registration is required so that adequate materials can be provided for all participants.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact the WSU Island County Extension Office at 360-321-5111, ext. 5558, or 360-240-5558, or judyf@wsu.edu. More information and driving directions can also be found on the WSU Island County website at:  http://www.island.wsu.edu/ and click on Greenbank “Free Soil Building Workshop”. Lunch is available for $5.