Deadline for 2010 conservation financial assistance looms

jgiuntoli November 23rd, 2009

NRCS&dropNRCS sets Dec. 31 as ranking cut-off date

SPOKANE, Wash. (Nov. 23, 2009) – Washington agricultural producers and landowners interested in protecting or improving natural resources on their land are being urged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office before Dec. 31 if they want to qualify for conservation financial assistance in 2010.

“We realize the holiday season is a busy time for everyone,” said Asst. State Conservationist Dave Brown, “but for those producers who need technical or financial assistance in the coming year, now’s the time to move conservation from their ‘wish list’ to their ‘to-do list.’”

NRCS administers a suite of conservation programs designed to address various natural resource issues on private and Tribal working land and private, non-industrial forest land. While producers can apply anytime for the programs, NRCS has set this application cut-off date to evaluate and rank applications for funding. To qualify for financial assistance in 2010, the agency has set Dec. 31 as the producer application deadline for most of its programs. Continue Reading »

December Farmland Presevation Task Force Meeting Announcement

jgiuntoli November 19th, 2009

Spokane Valley - The state Office of Farmland Preservation Task Force will hold their next meeting in Spokane Valley on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

December OFP Meeting Notice

December OFP Meeting Agenda

The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will be held at the Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center – North 1100 Sullivan Road.  The meeting will start at 9:00 am and conclude at 4pm.

Topics on the Task Force agenda include a presentation by the Northwest Farm Credit Services on issues related to farm credit and farm transition.  Other items include discussions on state efforts to enhance and prioritize agriculture in the State of Washington. Continue Reading »

Free Webinar: Making Organic Small Grains Work on Your Farm!

jgiuntoli November 19th, 2009

Organic small grains are part of a growing niche market of staple crops that can command higher market prices and bring more to a farmer’s bottom line. Find out how to grow organic small grains, including wheat, barley, rye and oats, in a FREE 60-minute webinar from ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.

Attend ATTRA’s Making Organic Small Grains Work on Your Farm webinar on Thursday, Dec. 3 to learn how farmers in traditional grain-growing regions are using organic production methods and find out if organic small grain production is right for you. Using organic techniques can cut input costs and the organic premium for high-quality grains can be 75 percent above the conventional market. But challenges in organic production exist, and can include over-dependence on tillage, proper nutrient management and rotation development.

The webinar will cover: Continue Reading »

WA State Blueberry Workshop – December 9

jgiuntoli November 19th, 2009

bushThe Washington State Blue Berry Commission along with WSU Skagit County Extension are pleased to announce the Washington State Blueberry Workshop scheduled for Dec 9th from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Cotton Tree Inn in Mount Vernon, WA (brochure attached).  The cost is $20 at the door.  Please RSVP to welch01@centurytel.net

2009 WA State Blueberry brochure

Applications to protect farm and ranch lands sought

jgiuntoli November 17th, 2009

SPOKANE, Wash., (Nov. 13, 2009) — To help protect working agricultural lands in Washington, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that $1.7 million will be available to successful applicants this year through the agency’s Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

There is a continuous, year-round sign-up for the program, but January 15, 2010 has been set as the deadline for evaluating applications for this year’s funding.

“This program can help communities preserve farm or ranch land and cultural resources,” Jeff Harlow, NRCS program liaison, said. “It’s an excellent way to keep prime farmland in agriculture and, at the same time, keep farming and ranching communities thriving by relieving development pressures,” he said. Continue Reading »

Vancouver Planning Commission: Urban Food Production

jgiuntoli October 29th, 2009

The Vancouver Planning Commission Presents
Urban Food Production: A First Tuesday Presentation
November 3, 2009 * 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 210 East 13th Street

Come join local experts in sharing their knowledge, experience, and success stories in an array of urban food production topics. Presenters will discuss urban gardening, harvesting and marketing, access to healthy food, and the need to plan for urban food systems. We’ll share how current programs work and discuss a vision for the future.

Intended only for informational purposes – No policy decisions will be made

Open to the Public

Please RSVP Terry Lenhart @ 360-487-7955 * terry.lenhart@ci.vancouver.wa.us

Agenda and Speakers

  • Planning Commission Chair, Derek Chisholm will moderate.
  • Tricia Mortell, Clark County Public Health and Ariel Rivers, AmeriCorps Volunteer: Introduction and Overview
  • Greta Lavadour, Clark County Food Systems Council; Planning for Urban Food Systems
  • Jane Kleiner, City of Vancouver; Community Gardens
  • Jodee Nickel, WSU Extension and Amy Sidran, Fort Vancouver School Teacher; School Gardens
  • Anne Lawrence, Storytree Farms; Community Supported Agriculture
  • Kris Alexander, Clark County Office of Sustainability and Kendra Pearce, Urban Farm School; Home Grown Gardens, Clark County Homegrown/Community Grown Project

October 2009 Farmland Preservation Newsletter Now Available

jgiuntoli October 28th, 2009

The October edition of the Farmland Preservation Newsletter is now available. Included in this month’s edition is an update on agriculture in San Juan County, information on a new grant opportunity, the upcoming water forecast, and many other issues of interest.

If you have suggestions for newsletter content, please feel free to contact OFP at jgiuntoli@scc.wa.gov

  • Office of Farmland Preservation October Newsletter

    • 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.
    Continue Reading »

    WSCC & NRCS Webinar on “Technical Service Provider (TSP) Agreements”

    jgiuntoli October 15th, 2009

    webinarJoin us for a Webinar on November 10

    Space is limited.

    Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
    https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/962590387

    WSCC & NRCS sponsored webinar on TSP task order development, new improvements for upcoming TSP agreements, steps for; task order approvals, work, accounting, reports, and answers to questions

    Title: WSCC & NRCS Webinar on “Technical Service Provider (TSP) Agreements

    Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

    Time: 10:00 AM – 12:01 PM PST

    After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

    System Requirements
    PC-based attendees
    Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

    Macintosh®-based attendees
    Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

    Learn how to become a Master Beekeeper!

    jgiuntoli October 5th, 2009

    BeekeeperHow Sweet It Is!

    Now you can become a Master Beekeeper, help keep local pollinators thriving, and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time!

    Once again, Washington State University Snohomish County Extension and Beez Neez Apiary Supply are teaming up to sponsor three sessions over the next six months of the popular apprentice level course in the Master Beekeeper Program. The five-week course provides a thorough introduction to beekeeping for novice beekeepers as well as a comprehensive refresher course for experienced apiculturists. Continue Reading »

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