Eastern Klickitat Conservation District

May board meeting rescheduled

ekcduser — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:26:07 +0000

The May board meeting has been moved to Thursday, May 10th at 7:00 pm at the Fire Hall in Bickleton.

Ag In Uncertain Times

ekcduser — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:26:37 +0000

Go to http://farmmanagement.org/aginuncertaintimes/ for additional details and to log in.

2012 Election Result and Annual Meeting in Review

ekcduser — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:04:27 +0000

Congratulations to Steve Matsen, winner of EKCD’s2012 supervisor election. The election will be officially accepted by the Washington State Conservation Commission at their May meeting.

The annual meeting was well-attended, and it was great to see special presentations to Jack Whitmore and Tim Rinehart. Jack was given a certificate of appreciation, presented by Marty Hudson, for his years of service to the Klickitat County Weed Control Board. Tim Rinehart was named the Natural Resources Conservation District’s (NRCS) Western Region Earthteam Volunteer of the Year, and received a plaque and gift from NRCS’ Washington State Conservationist, Roylene Rides at the Door.

15 WA State Counties Given Federal USDA Disaster Designation

ekcduser — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:44:16 +0000

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2012

Cantwell Announces Emergency Support for WA Farmers After 2011 Losses. 15 counties given federal USDA disaster designation; farmers eligible for assistance for losses suffered from extreme weather.

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that farmers in 15 Washington state counties are now eligible to apply for emergency weather assistance and ongoing disaster assistance programs for losses suffered as a result of extreme weather conditions during the first seven months of 2011.

Cantwell, along with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last August supporting Governor Chris Gregoire’s August 2nd request for immediate disaster designations stemming from the weather-related losses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Clallam, Clark, Franklin, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, and Yakima counties as primary natural disaster areas. Farmers and producers in these areas are eligible to apply for USDA emergency assistance or aid.

“Many Washington state farmers suffered severe losses due to last year’s spring weather,” Senator Cantwell said. “This disaster designation will help farmers recover and rebuild after last year’s losses. I encourage eligible farmers to take advantage of this disaster designation and apply for emergency assistance.”

The losses in these counties were caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, flooding, below normal temperatures, high winds, frosts, and freezes that occurred during the period of January 1, 2011 through July 31, 2011. Tree fruits, vegetables, grapes, hay, and wheat were particularly impacted.
In addition to the 15 counties that have been designated as primary natural disaster areas, 20 counties have been named contiguous disaster counties: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grant, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skamania, Spokane, Walla Walla, and Whitman. Farmers in both the primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), as well as the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. Residents seeking more information should contact their local FSA offices.

View the press release here: 013012_USDA_disaster_declaration

Riparian Re-Planting Opportunity

ekcduser — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:35:49 +0000

Klickitat County has secured grant funding from DOE to assist landowners with riparian plantings. The eligible planting locations are in the headwaters of Rock Creek, specifically the areas burned on Squaw, Quartz, and Spring Creeks in the 1998 Cleveland fire that have been slow to recover. Planting is planned for the fall of this year. For additional information or to express interest, please contact John Foltz at 509-773-2353 or e-mail johnf@co.klickitat.wa.us.

Farm-to-School Program

ekcduser — Fri, 20 May 2011 20:30:38 +0000

Created by the Washington State Legislature in the Local Farms-Healthy Kids Act of 2008, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-School Program is dedicated to fostering relationships between schools and agricultural producers in the state. Their goal is to support expanding economic opportunities for farmers while educating students about the connections between food, farming, health, and the environment. The program provides information, inspiration, assistance, and policy solutions for those working to supply healthy, Washington-grown food and related education to youth in our state. Partners include the Small Farm & Direct Marketing Program, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, WSU Small Farms Team, and various commodity commissions.
For more information on the Farm-to-School Program, phone (206)256-6151, visit www.agr.wa.gov/farmtoschool, or e-mail FarmtoSchool@agr.wa.gov.

Tree Benefit Calculator

ekcduser — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:09:14 +0000

Here’s something fun -

Check out the National Tree Benefit Calculator web site to get an estimation of the environmental and economic benefits provided by the trees on your property. Six different values are assessed, including storm water interception, property value, and CO2 reduction.

Farm Bill Brochure Available

ekcduser — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:40:13 +0000

“USDA Farm Bill: What is in it for Woodland Owners?” can be viewed on the NACD web site, http://www.nacdnet.org/news/publications/forestrynotes/reports/farm_bill_for_woodland_owners.pdf

Backyard Woods

ekcduser — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:08:19 +0000

Backyard Woods provides a guide and tip sheets on how small acreage owners can enhance the scenery in their backyard woods, provide habitat for wildlife, and utilize the land as an extra source of income. This is a joint program of the US Forest Service, National Association of Conservation Districts, and the National Arbor Day Foundation. Click on the link to visit the Backyard Woods web site.

“Precision Ag” Cost Share Program

ekcduser — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:20:06 +0000

The Board of Supervisors for Eastern Klickitat Conservation District has a cost-share program available for agricultural producers in the District, to assist with the implementation of “precision agriculture” practices.

The policy applies to the NEW use of technology (procedures not previously used) and is paid on a per-acre basis. The maximum cost-share available is $5,000.00 total over a maximum of three years. Each practice listed below is eligible for $2.00 of cost-share per acre.

Auto Steer

Swath Management

Rate Control

Electrical Conductivity Mapping

Yield Monitoring Technology

Feel free to call the District office or one of the Supervisors for more information.