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Farm-A-Palouse
-A is an annual educational event hosted by the Spokane Conservation District (SCD) to bring together small-acreage growers in the Inland Northwest (also known as the Palouse region). This year, SCD and Tilth Producers are partnering to offer this event to farmers across the sate to showcase Inland Northwest agriculture.
The Spokane Conservation District has a limited number of scholarships for post- 9/11 Veterans to attend Farm-A-Palouse-A. For questions about Vets on the Farm or to apply for scholarships, contact SCD Director Vicki Carter at .
Schedule
Workshop Descriptions by Track
AgrAbility
Cindy Chastain, Purdue University
Learn how to adapt tools, equipment, and techniques to make farming accessible to people with physical disabilities.
Finding and Funding Your Education in Ag
Heather Bahme, VetCorps Services, Pat Munts, Vets on the Farm
This class will help veterans, and other new and beginning farmers, assess their educational needs in comparison to educational opportunities including workshop series like Cultivating Success, two and four year degree programs, and more. The class will also cover how to take advantage of veteran funding opportunities for education.
Incentives and Resources for Farmers and Veterans to Begin Farming
Houston Bruck, Farm Service Agency
Wendy Knopp, Northwest Farm Credit Services
Financing can be one of the biggest hurdles to starting a farm. Learn about financial resources for beginning farmers and veterans from the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Making Your New Battle Plan: How to Deal with Drought, Fire and Other Forces of Nature
Jo Lynne Seufer, USDA Risk Managment Agency
Chris Bieker, USDA Farm Services Agency
You’ve invested time, money and energy to build your farm – don’t chance losing it! Learn about resources available to help you keep your investment. Speakers will discuss federal crop insurance, disaster relief programs and cost-share programs to prevent losses. Hear from a producer who has used the programs.
Ground Operations: From Battlefields to Farmfields
Vicki Carter, Spokane Conservation District
Dulanie Elis, Film Director
Walk to the historic Magic Lantern to see an inspirational film that will change the way you think about the healing power of agriculture. Director Dulanie Ellis will discuss the film and testimony from veterans will also be given. Also hear about the new program, Vets on the Farm, which was created after SCD Director, Vicki Carter first watched this moving documentary.
Raising Chickens
Paul and Sue Puhek, S & P Homestead Farm
Paul Kuber, WSU Extension
Class focuses on basic chicken raising, with an emphasis on the infrastructure for raising healthy chickens. Other topics will include: breed selection, feeding and caring for chickens, raising baby chickens, and meat and egg production.
Poultry Processing for Increased Marketing Options
Paul Kuber, WSU Extension
Learn how to butcher and sell chickens while following the letter of the law. Class discusses mobile processing units and other equipment options.
Planning for Pollinators Part 1 : Creating Pollinator Habitat on Your Farm
Hillary Sardinas, Xerces Society
Wild beneficial insects, including native bees, contribute over $200 billion in crop pollination annually. Research has shown that creating on-farm habitat supports beneficial insect populations and increases crop quality and yield. This workshop will review the evidence supporting the benefits of crop pollination from native bees and highlight specific habitat installation and management practices that can be used to increase their populations on farms. We’ll identify some of the key players contributing to crop pollination and provide an overview of their natural history so you can learn what resources they need to thrive on your property. Finally, we’ll discuss funding sources and additional resources available to farmers to help you implement these pollinator-friendly management practices.
Pollinators are key for the success of any farm, garden or ecosystem! This class will briefly outline their importance of pollinators, the challenges to attracting pollinators to your property, then discuss the conditions and general planning required to make your property a pollinator haven.
Planning for Pollinators: Part 2 – Honey Bees, Native Pollinators and Essential Oils
Jim Miller, Millers Homestead LLC
Interested in helping Honey Bees and Native Pollinators? Learn more about the natural way of caring for the Pollinators. This class will give you the basics for determining how you can help the Pollinators and protect our food chain.
Better Farming through Plastics: Season Extension, Mulch and more!
Jeremy Cowan, WSU Spokane Co. Extension
Shuresh Ghimire, WSU NWREC
You may have heard that the National Organic Program recently approved biodegradable plastic mulch films for certified organic production. But, before you start hunting for biodegradable mulch suppliers, come hear the latest on biodegradable plastic mulches and learn about the work that WSU is doing to ensure that this technology is ready for use in organic systems. We will also talk about other plastics-based technologies for season extension and what they can do for your operation.
I Have Property, Now What? Presentation
Dean Hellie, Stevens County Conservation District
Utilizing the 9 steps of conservation/farm planning we will discuss options and things to consider for utilization of property and meeting the needs and goals of the landowner. The focus will be on the natural resources and management for long term sustainability, consideration of financial constraints and what other resources and information is available for the landowner/land manager.
I Have Property, Now What? Discussion
Bobby Burkin, NRCS
Eric Choker, Spokane Conservation District
Garth Davis, Spokane Conservation District
Dean Hellie, Stevens County Conservation District
As an extension of the previous class, several specialists will be available to work with participants in breakout groups based on how they’d like to develop their property. Participants will rotate groups to see three specialists of their choosing. Experts from hay, small grain, produce, and livestock to field questions on specific uses for property and help attendees make their decision.
Planning for Pollinators: Part 2
Ari and Ana Alvarez, Beemaniacs
Looking to increase the amount of pollinators in your garden? We will cover the many ways you can take action to help boost pollinator presence in your area such as: How to set up your own on-site beehives, including setup costs and different hardware options (Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre hives) each with their pros and cons. If beekeeping is not for you, we will share tips on how to find a local beekeeper who can bring hives to your property, or how to encourage honeybees and local pollinators to visit your garden.
Community Garden Roundtable
Moderated by Pat Munts, Spokane Conservation District / WSU Extension
Get to know a variety of community gardens in the Spokane area. You’ll be surprised by the number, size, and variety of purpose and mission. Representatives from West Central Community Garden, Riverfront Farms, Spokane Food Forest Committee, Spokane Edible Tree Project and Spokane Valley Partners will each contribute.
Maintaining your Septic System
Barry Tee, SCD OSS loan officer
Gober and Sons
Proper management of your septic system will prevent higher costs to the environment and your repair budget in the long run. Learn what to do and when to do it. Also, a few minutes about financial assistance programs across the state to help landowners repair or replace their septic system or connect to the sewer.