Hello everyone! Please note that attached informational flier about the upcoming "Wonders of Bats" workshop, scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd from 6:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at the Alger Community Hall.  Please feel free to post or forward to anyone who may be interested!  Great opportunity to learn all about bats and the many benefits they provide to our gardens and their important role for a healthy ecosystem:)  The workshop will be presented by Bats Northwest and hosted by the Friday Creek Habitat Stewards and the Skagit Conservation District.  Hope you can join us!
Sincerely,
Kristi Carpenter
Skagit Conservation District
2021 E. College Way, Suite #203
Mount Vernon, WA  98273
(360) 428-4313

Learn about Tools, Equipment, and Horsepower for the Small Farm

From wheel hoes, seeders, and cultivators to binders, thrashers, walk-behinds, and spaders, the tools available to modern farmers can be overwhelming. What do you need? What size? Is that rusting cultivator in the neighbor’s field worth refurbishing? What about hay-fueled horsepower? Is it all romance and headache or can using a team be an effective answer to motive power on a small farm?

Presentations will cover hand-, tractor-, and horse-powered equipment, including how to determine the best match between farm, farmer, and tool. Attendees will gain the knowledge needed to make the most of future equipment purchases.  In addition, those wishing to look closely at using draft horses on their farm will have the opportunity to work hands-on with an experienced team and teamsters.

Join us Saturday, April 26, 2014, 9:00am to 3:00pm for Tools, Equipment, and Horsepower for the Small Farm: a Practical Look at What Works. Starting location is the Klesick Family Farm Distribution Center, 18826 Marine Dr. Warm Beach, WA. After lunch, we’ll drive to the Klesick Family Farm (nearby) for a closer look at the implements and hands-on with the team.

Cost for the workshop is $50 per person and includes a box lunch. You must register by April 24 to be included. No registrations taken at the farm. To register, visit Tools.BrownPaperTickets.com or download the form at snohomish.wsu.edu/tools and mail with your check.

About the instructors:

Tristan Klesick and family have been farming in Snohomish County for almost twenty years. A great believer in fitting the tool to the job, Klesick is well-versed in human-, horse- and  gas/diesel- powered equipment. Currently, his favorite tool is his new Imants Spading Machine, which is helping Klesick Family Farm improve their soil quality and fertility.

Ray de Vries, aka the Leek King, farms over 100 certified organic acres just outside Mt Vernon, selling into wholesale markets across the U.S. Primarily focused on crops such as leeks, carrots, potatoes, beets, and kale, Ray uses a number of tools and techniques to manage weeds organically and help his crops thrive.

Andy Bary, soil scientist with the WSU Puyallup Research Center helps farmers develop fertility management systems and techniques to improve crop production. Co-inventor of the Supercow Liquid Manure Applicator, Andy has a special passion for the tools and equipment farmers need to work more efficiently and profitably. His presentation focuses on the specialized equipment and tools used by small market gardeners across Europe and other parts of the U.S., many of which are now becoming available here on the West Coast.

Anita, Alastair, Sven and Ole Stone have been working together as a team for over 12 years. During that time, and using the methodology established by Doc Hammill (dochammill.com), Anita and Alastair trained Sven and Ole (Norwegian Fjord horses) to pull wagons, farm implements, and logs. Now settled into a comfortable routine, Sven and Ole are a valuable part of the family, whether working in the field or providing children with saddle rides after work.

For registration information, contact Karie Christensen at 425.357.6039 or e-mail christensen4@wsu.edu. For more information on the workshop, contact Andrew Corbin, corbina@wsu.edu or 425.357.6012.

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office or to the WSU Center for Human Rights. Persons with a disability requiring special accommodation can request accommodation 21 days before training at (425) 338-2400. If accommodation is not requested in advance, we cannot guarantee availability on-site.

Kate Halstead
Agriculture Workshops
WSU Snohomish County Extension
600 128th St SE
Everett, WA 98208-6353
C-360.794.6081
W-425.357.6024
khalstead@wsu.edu
www.snohomish.wsu.edu

Announcing: Late Spring/Summer Orcharding Workshop
Cutting edge information in a dynamic 1-day workshop featuring a team of experienced professionals led by Dr. Andrea Bixby-Brosi and Alix Whitener of WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center/Wenatchee. WSU NW Research Center/Mt. Vernon will provide experts in Entomology and Weed Control and be joined by local orchardist Gary Moulton. All will engage the attendees on the timely topics of:
• Pest Control
• Integrated Pest Management
• Propagation
• Weed Control
• Summer Pruning & Training
• Practical matters for the Orchard: Sprayers/Calibration/Working with the Nursery
The Late Spring/Summer Orcharding workshop fee is $95 and includes all class materials, beverages & lunch. NABC Network members receive a 10% discount. For more information please visit www.agbizcenter.org website for Transitioning to Value Added Classes and Workshops.
 
Date: May 17, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Johnson Rd, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
Contact: ​Karen Mauden, Account Manager/NABC
Karen@agbizcenter.org
425-466-8722​​​​

The Alger Community Hall members extend an open invite to two Easter activities!

Thursday, April 17: Egg Decorating and Coloring, 4pm-7pm, Alger
 Community Hall
 
 We will provide everything you need for decorating your Easter eggs and
 you get to keep the mess out of your kitchen.
 
 We will also be having a coloring contest.
 There will be three age groups 0-4, 5-8 and 9 and up.
 Winners will be announced on Saturday at the Easter Egg Hunt.
 
 Saturday April 19: Easter Egg Hunt and Potluck Brunch, hunt starts at 10
 am, potluck afterwards, Alger Community Hall
 
 AT 10:00 am Hunt will be set up in three age groups, so the little ones
 are not competing with the older kids.
 Age group 9 and up will get to use metal detectors to find hidden
 treasures around the hall.
 Bring your favorite dish to share.
 Coloring contest winners will be announced and participation prizes will
 be awarded.

EARTH WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(New events will be announced as information becomes available)

Saturday April 19th
Cement City Trail Run    -   Information
Rockport (Guided) & Raser State Park Trail Walks - All Day - Free Parking
Seed Swap - Marblemount Community Hall - 1p-4p

Monday April 21st
Highway Cleanup - Concrete Chamber - 3pm - Mile Marker 87 to 89 
Tai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center

Tuesday April 22nd
Highway Cleanup - KSVU- 9am - Mile Marker 93 to 95 
Rockport (Guided) & Raser State Park Trail Walks - All Day - Free ParkingTai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center

Wednesday April 23rd
Tai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center

Thursday April 24th
Tai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center
Film Fest Who Bombed Judi Bari  Information and Back to the Garden with Filmmaker Q&A - Information
Concrete Theatre  Doors open 5:30pm - Tickets $10 (Fundraiser for KSVU)

Friday April 25th
Tai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center
Earth Care Share - Concrete Center
5pm   Potluck and idea mingling boards
6:30pm - 8:30pm  Environmental Panel Discussion and public forum
Saturday April 26th
Eco Fair - Concrete Center - 10a to 4p
Family Recycled Crafts - Upper Skagit Library - 11a to 5p
Recycled Arts Contest - Concrete Center - 10a to 4p
Rules    -      Entry Form
Earth Jam Poetry Readings - 5B's Bakery - 2p to 4p
Highway Cleanup - Saturday Market - 10am- Mile Marker 89 to 91
Tai Chi Chih Instruction & Practice - 3:30-5:00pm - Concrete Center

Recycle and Help Friends of the Upper Skagit Library

Tuesday, April 22: Socrates Café: Discussion About Climate Change  12:00–1:30pm, Multipurpose Room at Skagit Valley College. In recognition of Earth Day, Dr. Claus Svendsen will lead a discussion and interactive presentation about climate change. Clubs and organizations will be given a few minutes to speak about what they can do to help alleviate global warming. This event is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, Environmental Club, Outdoor Club, Chef’s Club, and The Sustainability Committee. Everyone is welcome! If you'd like to carpool, contact Nathan Lowman at nlowman25@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 26: Green Home Tour on Shaw Island needs volunteers. The organizers of the NW Green Home Tour are looking for volunteers at their Shaw Island site. Two “greeters" are needed on the site to welcome guests, sign liability waivers and help the Site Host. This free annual event, co-produced by the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild and Built Green, showcases local, sustainable and green new homes, remodels and energy retrofits.  For more info and to sign up, go to http://www.nwgreenhometour.org/ and http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EABAB22A7FF2-2014