Ag Week is March 18 - 24, 2018
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Rain Gardens for Rural Properties Workshop Worthwhile
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A group of rural landowners gathered in Arlington at the Co-op Supply Store to learn about rain gardens from our district engineer and one of our farm planners.
Read More5 Tips for Winter Horsekeeping
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As the days grow shorter it’s time to prepare for the dark, wet days of winter. We know the challenges that await us in these winter months: rain, mud, darkness, and cold. The constant, never-ending rainy days can make chores difficult and alter the routines of our horses, but planning ahead can make the winter manageable, and safe, for horses and horse owners alike. Here are our top five tips for winter horsekeeping in the Pacific Northwest.
Read MoreDoing the Right Thing(s)
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Back in August, we went back to visit one of our cooperators, Bill Cayford, who is the type of guy who just wants to do the right thing with his land.
Bill has 20 acres total, half of which is pasture and open space
Read More'Living with Beavers' Workshops Well Received
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First series of 'Living with Beavers' workshops held and useful for attendees in Tulalip, Stanwood and Monroe.
Read MoreA Look Back at Our Season of Spreading . . . Manure
/Manure & Lime Spreader Program Ending for 2017
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!)
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
Creating a "Safe, Healthy, and Hassle-free Winter on the Farm"
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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!
Read MoreHorses Love Holly Farm
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This June we had the opportunity to complete several best management practices (BMPs) at the Holly Farm in Bothell, WA in the Little Bear Creek Watershed.
Read MoreTania & Bob Partridge, A Mud-free and Super-efficient Horse Farm
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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.
Read MoreFall Task List for All Types of Properties
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The shorter days of autumn inspire us to slow down after a busy summer, but accomplishing a few tasks before the rains set in and the winds start to blow will make winter more pleasant and surprise you with a healthy land and soil-scape next spring.
Read MoreManaging to Prevent Parasite Infection
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Most large animal veterinarians I know readily say that all horses have or will have parasites at some point. Most of them also prescribe a regular de-worming schedule. While this has been accepted as a good standard practice, there are some things to consider.
Read MoreSmoke Gets in Your Horse's Eyes
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If the smoke is bothering you, there's a good chance it's bothering your horse, too. This article offers some practical tips to help.
Read MoreHorses for Rain Gardens in Puget Sound
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Rain gardens are a bright new idea for dealing with two frequent issues for horse properties: excess runoff and MUD!
Read MoreHorses for Native Plants
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More and more frequently now people are recognizing that people, wildlife and the environment all benefit from a landscape of native plants. To promote the use of native plants, Conservation Districts in Washington State hold native plant sales every winter.
Read MoreGo Native with Hedgerows and Buffers on Horse Properties
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Many horse owners don’t realize how helpful native trees and shrubs can be on a horse property. People, wildlife (including our valuable native pollinator insects), horses, and the environment can all benefit from a landscape of native plants.
Read MoreManure Spreading Season
/One of the many services offered by the Snohomish Conservation District, specifically for horse owners, is manure spreading. Michael Hipp, our Resource Planner, runs this program and has many insights into why this service is important for Sound Horsekeeping.
The goal of spreading manure is to keep a clean stable for your horses and also take advantage of the nutrients found in manure. As you sweep up the area where your horse meanders, you can set the manure aside for moving around your property as convenient. It also helps to mitigate the land use and helps horses maintain a sense of safety and security. No one wants to stand in their manure very long.
The Snohomish Conservation District has two manure spreaders, one large (photos below are of the large one) and one small. They are available on a seasonal basis from approximately April to October, after the rains have ended. (We'll see!) Each time the spreader goes out, Michael delivers it to the horse owner and explains how it is used. The time allowed is three days so pick up and drop off days are Tuesdays and Fridays.
For example, you might receive the spreader on Tuesday morning and Michael will pick it up on Friday morning so he can deliver it to someone else.
Keep your horses upright and happy by scheduling to use one of our spreaders today. As Michael said, "It's one of the most beneficial services we have for horse owners. It's a great benefit."
Contact Michael at 425-377-7019 or mhipp(at)snohomishcd.org to schedule your spreader today. Read more here about when it is best to spread manure.
Is Your Home Firewise?
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As Westsiders here in Washington, it’s difficult to imagine the threat of a wildfire as we tromp through the rain and mud for close to eight months of the year. But due to our beautiful dry summers, the landscape can dry out quickly, presenting a window of time where a grass or forest fire can pose a serious threat to property and lives.
Read MoreFive Tips for Spring Pastures
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It’s that time of year when the grass gets greener and grows fast! Here are some things to keep in mind before you open up the gates to the pasture...
Read MoreStanwood High School Envirothon Team to Compete at State
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Two teams from Stanwood High School competed at the Northwest Regional Envirothon on March 29 at Brightwater Environmental Learning Center in Woodinville.
Read MoreSnohomish Conservation District Proposes New Rate System
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For the past eight years, the District has received funding through an assessment, which has been leveraged with grants and other funding sources. The District Board of Supervisors plans to file a new rate proposal with the Snohomish County Council to ensure that the District can continue to provide these services into the future.
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