Field Day Schedule
and Events Calendar

Riparian Buffer Field Day

Notice - This event has been postponed. Check back periodically for updates to the new date and time. Thanks.

Riparian buffers are widely considered to be good land stewardship due to their ability to reduce non-point pollution and improve water quality through sediment reduction and nutrient removal from surface and ground water.  We will tour an experimental riparian buffer consisting of plots with red alder, hybrid poplar, and perennial ryegrass established in 2006 on WSU-Puyallup property along Clarks Creek. Learn about buffer establishment, protection and maintenance, the buffers’ capability to remove nutrients during their first 3 years and plans for the future.

WSU Puyallup
Puyallup, WA
Riparian Buffer Project Site along Clarks Creek
(across the street from main campus entrance – look for signs)
Time: 2PM - 4PM
Contact: Jon Johnson (poplar@wsu.edu) or call 253-445-4522

Small Farms Field Day

Pastured Poultry, Chicken Processing, Organic Farming Systems and Canola Trials, with compost concerns to be highlighted.

Tour of organic vegetable farming systems research plots, including pastured poultry research. Learn about cover crops, soil quality, nutrient management, and pastured poultry production.

Learn innovative techniques for developing and maintaining a healthy farm at an upcoming Field Day on the WSU Puyallup campus.

WSU Consumer Food Safety Specialist Karen Killinger will examine alternatives to chlorine for dipping chickens after slaughter and processing.  A portable chicken slaughter unit will be on display.

A discussion of how to construct and use chicken tractors to pasture poultry will be led by WSU Soil Scientist Andy Bary.  Results of chicken breed trials will also be available.

Soil testing techniques and the effects of different compost amendments on soil will also be highlighted.  Doug Collins, WSU Small Farms Educator, will explain how the inclusion of pasture in crop rotations affects soil fertility, compaction, and food webs. The rotations are part of WSU Puyallup’s Long-Term Organic Farming Systems Research and Demonstration Site. 

Participants will also discover how to produce compost to address food safety concerns from compost application.  An aerated compost pile will be on display.  WSU Soil Scientist Craig Cogger will discuss how to test compost for stability. 

Also, WSU weed scientist Tim Miller will present an overview of organic canola trials. 

The Field Day takes place from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 21 at the WSU Puyallup Campus located at 7612 Pioneer Way East.  Directional signs to the north side of the farm will be posted. Food and beverages will be provided.  The event is free to the public. The Field Day is open to farmers, community members or anyone interested in learning more about current trends in small acreage farming.

WSU Puyallup, Certified Organic Research Land
Puyallup, WA
Time noon - 3PM
Contact: Andy Bary or phone: 253-445-4588

Raspberry Field Day

The field day will be an opportunity to see and taste raspberry selections and cultivars from the WSU and BC breeding program. Fruit samples that were harvested earlier that day will be set out for display next to the planting. The planting has 187 different raspberry cultivars and selections (123 selections from the WSU program, 56 from the BC program and 8 cultivars).

Randy Honcoop Farm
9696 Northwood Road
Lynden, WA 98264
Time 2PM - 4PM
Contact: Patrick Moore or phone: 253-445-4525

Tilth Producers of Washington and WSU Small Farms Team
2008 Farm Walk

Alm Hill Gardens, Everson
Diversified Production, Transitioning to Cooperative Ownership (in Spanish & English)
www.almhillgardens.com

During the tour of this 35-year old diversified, fresh-market farm, the Alm Hill Garden team will cover season extension (using greenhouses and high tunnels), crop diversity (annuals and perennials), berry production, and direct marketing strategies. Research taking place on the farm in coordination with WSU will be highlighted, including integrated pest management and field trials of several varieties of fruits and vegetables. A new cooperative agreement being forged between the owners, the farmers, and a new generation of farmers will be discussed. This Farm Walk will be offered in both English and Spanish. (Sustainable)

Tilth Producers of Washington and WSU Small Farms Team
2008 Farm Walk

21 Acres, Woodinville
Agricultural and Environmental Learning Center
www.21acres.org

The Farm at 21 Acres is used for research, experimentation and education, while producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale through local direct marketing avenues. Visitors will tour the farm and future site of the multi-purpose Agriculture Center, with a focus on urban farming, green technology, and building community support in urban areas for a traditionally rural enterprise. Participants will learn about the construction of the permanent farmers market, integration of animal husbandry into an urban setting and the community gardens on site. (Sustainable) WSU BIOAg site

WSU/OSU Turf Field Day

Details to follow. Please check back.

Lewis-Brown Research Farm
Corvallis, OR
Time TBA
Contact Gwen Stahnke or phone (253) 445-4513

Tilth Producers of Washington and WSU Small Farms Team
2008 Farm Walk

Methow Creamery, Twisp 
Value-Added Cow Dairy, On-Farm Feed Production

Methow Creamery is a small scale sustainable organic dairy operation featuring twenty dairy cows and 800 acres of grain and hay production for the cows and off-farm sales. Owners Ron and Elise Vander Yacht sell Grade-A organic, non-pasteurized milk and cream at all the Methow Valley grocery stores and markets, as well as in Spokane, Chelan and Federal Way. Having been raised on a dairy, Ron will share a lifetime of well-earned expertise on raising alfalfa. Their organic hay sales have always been very popular, and when they decided to start a dairy, they already had the feed lined up! In addition to discussing the many facets of running a dairy, Ron and Elise will explain how they negotiated creative funding of their organic creamery through ShoreBank Pacific. (Organic)

Tilth Producers of Washington and WSU Small Farms Team
2008 Farm Walk

Nash's Organic Produce, Sequim
Integrating Seed Into a Diversified Organic Farm
www.nashsorganicproduce.com

Growing seed on-farm is a viable diversification strategy that can build farm financial and environmental sustainability. Micaela Colley from Organic Seed Alliance will join Nash and the farm crew to lead a Farm Walk demonstrating the benefits of on-farm seed production. Nash Huber came to the seed business as a produce farmer recognizing the need for variety security. The farm started maintaining their signature carrot variety "Nash's Best" 10 years ago. Since then seed has filled many niches in their diversified 400-acre produce and livestock farm.

Today they produce seed for on-farm use, variety security, livestock feed, and as a contracted crop. They are also involved in several on-farm breeding projects, including WSU wheat variety trials. Following the Farm Walk, a classroom and hands-on seed saving workshop will be taught by Nash Huber and Scott Chichester of Nash's Organic Produce, and Micaela Colley of Organic Seed Alliance. (Organic)

Farm Walk: 9:30 to 12:00. Cost $10 Tilth members, $15 non-members.
Lunch: 12:00 to 1:00.
Seed Saving Workshop: 1:00 to 4:00. Cost $10 Tilth members, $15 non-members (space is limited).

Tilth Producers of Washington and WSU Small Farms Team
2008 Farm Walk

Styger Family Dairy Farm, Chehalis
Intensive Grazing for Award Winning Milk

Andy and Linda Styger have been farming for 28 years on their family-operated farm in the Chehalis Valley, where for the past 18 years, they have run a dairy farm using intensive grazing practices. The Stygers have been shipping organic milk since 2004, and recently became members of Organic Valley Family of Farms cooperative. The Styger Family Diary Farm includes an 80 cow Holstein milking herd, in addition to 60 young stock. The Styger Farm consistently produces award winning quality milk while making ecologically-conscientious decisions. They have been recognized for both achievements by their cooperative and the Washington State Department of Ecology. (Organic)