Tips, tricks, and a quick peek into the everyday life of the conservation district.
Many Snohomish County and Camano Island residents have horses, but not all are aware of the effects these equine companions can have on our environment. Horses can overgraze their pastures and compact the soils, and if manure isn't managed properly it can contribute to water pollution.
Read MoreYou can count on Pacific Northwest winters being cold, wet, dark, and windy. During many winters you can add snowy and icy to that description. For horse owners this usually means struggles such as slogging through mud to do chores with less time to ride or exercise horses. As it is with most everything, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Read MoreTrack paddocks are an excellent way to keep your horses moving and interested when they aren’t on pasture. Track paddocks can also help protect water quality by avoiding overgrazing and compaction of your pastures that may become vulnerable to mud and runoff during the wet season.
Read MoreSarah and Jeremy Vecchi worked with Snohomish Conservation District to implement a manure management system that protects water quality and transforms their horse manure into a valuable asset: compost!
Read MoreHealthy pastures are an important key to a healthy ecosystem.
Read MoreWho would have thought that carnivorous bog plants, such as sundews and pitcher plants, would have a place on a horse property?
Read MoreFall is officially here. Are you and your horses ready? Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming rainy season here in western Washington. Here are a few tips and tricks to beat the winter weather this year and establish more permanent solutions for next year.
Read MoreFor our 80th anniversary, we're highlighting some of the amazing staff and partners who we’ve worked with over the years. Our Sound Horsekeeping program wouldn't be what it is today without the support of community members and the horse owners who have been willing to partner with us.
Read MoreWhether you board horses, run a training facility, or just have one horse at home, using best management practices can make your operation run smoother and protect your horses. But which ones do you do first? Is there a sequence that’s best? How do you prioritize?
Read MoreHave you ever been trying to hang your horse’s evening hay and have them step on your foot? Yeah, Whiskey’s done that to me. More than once. And he’s not in a hurry to get off it, either, especially when that means backing away from his hay bag…
Read MoreIt’s a privilege to be a part of new beginnings, and we’re fortunate to have stories like the Rhinevaults to share with others starting out. Most of the people we work with would say that their farms and livestock ventures are a work in progress, and we’re available to help every step of the way.
Read MoreHave you ever been trying to hang your horse’s evening hay and have them step on your foot? Yeah, Whiskey’s done that to me. More than once. And he’s not in a hurry to get off it, either, especially when that means backing away from his hay bag…
Read MoreThe business entrepreneurship course of Cultivating Success registration is open! Learn how to farm in a financially sustainable way.
Read More“Orcatober” is officially in the books!
COVID-19 has been a disruption for all of us, but it couldn’t get in the way of recovery efforts for our Southern Resident Killer Whales. We were fortunate to be able to celebrate Orca Recovery Day with all who participated in our scavenger hunt, rain barrel sale and Eco Challenge.
Read MoreFall is quickly approaching, and your horses have been grazing all summer on your nice, lush pastures you’ve been nurturing for a long time now. As the fall and winter rains begin and you will move your horses off the pasture for the winter, I always get questions about what to do with the manure the horses have left behind…
Read MoreAs we’ve all been sequestered due to the pandemic it has been nice to finally see the sun and know that summer is just around the corner. However, as a horse owner, you know that this time of year is the time when we, our horses, and barns begin to deal with another plague – flies.
Read MoreHere’s the latest from our Agriculture Group about services that they are able to provide during the stay at home order.
Read MoreWondering how to avoid muddy paddocks next year? Farm planner Michael Hipp explains in detail how to create mud-free, easy-to-clean paddocks.
Read MoreWinter’s darkness can be just as challenging as the rain when tending to livestock. Read on for creative ideas to see well enough to keep up with farm chores and tend to a sick or injured animal.
Read MoreWhile our winters are beautiful with clean air and occasional sunny skies, an overabundance of darkness, mud, and manure can overwhelm anyone, and horse boredom is a common issue owners have to deal with.
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Snohomish Conservation District | 528 91st Ave NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258 | 425-335-5634
