A Look Back at Our Season of Spreading . . . Manure

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Manure & Lime Spreader Program Ending for 2017

Sound Horsekeepers, Adam and Tracey

Sound Horsekeepers, Adam and Tracey

The spreaders are out at the last cooperators' property and will be picked up Friday and put away for the season. We will not be taking reservations until April 2 for next spring, so mark it on your calendars. There will be some changes coming to the program that Michael Hipp, our Resource Planner / Sound Horsekeeping Program Manager, will be working on over the winter, They are changes related to efficiency so that we can better serve you all. He will let you know what those are as they become official.

THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the spreader program this year! 2017 was the busiest and most successful yet.

 

  • 34 Cooperators (aka landowners / farmers / horsekeepers) used the spreaders; some, multiple times.

  • 3,020 miles driven to deliver the spreaders - that's the distance from Seattle to San Salvador, El Salvador!

  • Only 1 flat tire on the trailer (thanks to Skagit Farmer's Supply for the assist!)

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And there is no way to measure the tens of thousands of pounds of manure and lime spread this year, but it is great to know that all those nutrients are out building good soil. Thank you to our cooperators for not only having Michael out to your property to discuss soil health and good pasture management practices, but also for following through and getting your pastures one step healthier for your horses.

Please remember that if you encounter any new resource concerns over the winter Michael is always here to help. Winter in western Washington is always a challenge with horses, so please don't ever hesitate to contact him any time.

Office: (425) 377-7019 | Email: mhipp@snohomishcd.org

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Creating a "Safe, Healthy, and Hassle-free Winter on the Farm"

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Creating a "Safe, Healthy, and Hassle-free Winter on the Farm"

Are you new to the Pacific North-Wet or do you find yourself struggling every year with mud? Do you need ideas for how to keep your horse happy and exercised while pastures rest? Please let us know! 

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Hugel-what?

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Hugel-what?

Hügelkultur is a German word that means hill or mound. In agriculture and gardening, it means no-dig raised beds constructed from decaying wood debris and other compostable biomass plant materials. They hold moisture, build fertility, maximize surface volume and are great spaces for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.

 

Photo credit: www.richsoil.com

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WCC Crew Sighting in Monroe

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When the Washington Conservation Corps crew starts their contract year, they get right to work. And, mind you, they often get more done in a day than a normal person or household gets done in a month!

Their first project this year was to return to the Department of Ecology grant location off of Highway 2 near the Arco Station near Monroe to do some needed maintenance.

From the returning crew lead, Ali Trout, "We spent the last two days pulling night shade at the Monroe Wetlands site. The night shade mono-culture area is supposed to be a branch of the creek, but it has been so choked out by the night shade, that the creek doesn’t really exist anymore. The water just slowly trickled through the night shade mat. We cleared 2,600 sq ft so far and about 21 cubic yards for volume."

Yeah. We're glad they're back to work.

Keep watching the site for official photos of the 2017/2018 crew.

Tania & Bob Partridge, A Mud-free and Super-efficient Horse Farm

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Tania & Bob Partridge, A Mud-free and Super-efficient Horse Farm

Tania and Bob participate in our Sound Horsekeeping program and were awarded an attractive sign to show visitors that their farm is managed to reduce mud, manage manure, improve pastures, and enhance wildlife habitat. Would you like to be recognized as a Sound Horsekeeper? Learn how at http://snohomishcd.org/sound-horsekeeping-sign-program or call Michael Hipp at 425-377-7019.

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A Big Thank You to the 2016/2017 WCC Crew

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Grateful for a sunny day to have a potluck outside!

Grateful for a sunny day to have a potluck outside!

Last week we thanked and celebrated the 2016/2017 WCC crew who helped us plant 23,000 native trees/shrubs, restored 24 acres, maintained 65 acres, and assisted with two events.

They thanked us for being good partners with this super cool wood carving, which now lives in our front office. Thanks to everyone for a successful year!