Category Archives: Rural Lands

Eat N’ Greet for Growers

April 19^th, 2023, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

COLUMBIA GRANGE #267
37493 NE Grange Hall Rd.
Corbett, OR 97019

Do you have a farm in Multnomah County, east of the Willamette River? Discover what our services can do for you.

Join us for delicious meal and get to know our staff and programs. Staff will be on hand to learn about your situation and discuss how you and your farm might benefit from what we offer.

Lunch provided
One-on-one face time with EMSWCD staff
Information about our services
Q and A
Opportunity to chat with your neighbors

EMSWCD offers support in these topic areas:

Irrigation efficiency: converting to drip irrigation, soil moisture monitoring, installing variable frequency drives, accessing weather tools.
Livestock management: heavy-use areas, manure composting, rotational grazing, exclusionary fencing along creeks, pasture management.
Weed control: identification of invasive weeds, eradication advice.
Farmland protection: purchase of working farmland easements, farmland and farm succession planning.
Farm planning: development of a custom conservation farm plan, access to planning advice and conservation resources.

OSU Extension’s Regenerative Pasture Management workshops

Join OSU Extension for an engaging and informative two-part course on Regenerative Pasture Management! You’ll hear from Dr. Shayan Ghajar, Organic Pasture and Forages Specialist from OSU Extension, and Jackson Morgan, Farm Specialist with Polk Soil & Water Conservation District.

When: December 14^th and 21^st from 6:00 – 7:15 PM
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free

Visit this link to register

Part 1:

Setting goals for your pastures
Selecting/identifying pasture species
Understanding soil health and how it affects pasture plants
An introduction to the pasture calendar
Mud and manure management

Part 2:

Balancing forage production with livestock forage demands
Determining when to graze
How to gauge if your pasture management is meeting your goals
Assistance available for farmers and land stewards

OSU Extension’s Wildfire Wednesday webinar series

“OSU Extension Fire Program’s Wildfire Wednesdays webinar sessions are back this fall! These weekly webinars offer important information on fire safety and preparedness, and related actions people can take to make their homes and landscapes safer. The workshops will run through December 8^th, 2021. Visit the Online Webinar Guide on the Fire Program website for more information:

View the Online Webinar Guide here.

Remaining workshops:

November 10^th: 2021 Fire Season – A learning opportunity
November 17^th: Prioritizing your home hardening approach
November 24^th: Thanksgiving BREAK – no webinar
December 1^st: From the home to the landscape (defensible space): Fall Edition
December 8^th: Prescribed fire

Office hours

We’re coming to you, virtually!

Join Jeremy for a live (and free) one on one discussion about your farm. Bring your questions and explore strategies and solutions around:

Management of livestock
Pasture care and grazing management
Mud management
Manure management and composting
Cropping and cover cropping
Integrated Pest Management- using beneficial plants to attract beneficial bugs
Soil health and how to take a soil sample
Irrigation systems and water management to reduce your costs
Noxious weed control
Natural areas and planting for wildlife and birds
General farm planning

Sessions will be scheduled for 50 minutes but may require additional time. You can work with Jeremy to schedule follow up visits as needed.

Make an online appointment with us!

Sign up using the form below.

Have questions?

Contact Jeremy Baker at:
(503) 488-9939
jeremy@emswcd.org

Our StreamCare program has planted half a million plants!

On February 9^th, EMSWCD planted its 500,000th native plant through its StreamCare program, marking twelve years of planting native trees and shrubs to improve stream health and help salmon throughout eastern Multnomah County!

StreamCare has been plugging away planting native trees and shrubs along streams in Gresham, Corbett and Troutdale since 2009, working together with more than 200 landowners that have voluntarily enrolled in the program. Our Executive Director Nancy Hamilton says of the program: “Our crews are able to transform stream fronts from blackberry brambles to thriving native forests that attract wildlife, protect water quality, and build more resilient communities.” Watch our brand new video below highlighting the milestone planting!

The main goal of StreamCare is creating shade. As the trees mature, they cast their shadows over the stream, lowering the temperature of the water. “It’s mostly to benefit salmon,” says Lucas Nipp, our StreamCare program manager. “Salmon need cool water. Most of the streams in our area are far too warm for healthy salmon.” Read more →

StreamCare enrollment now open in new watersheds – Buck Creek and Bonnie Brook

Since 2009, the StreamCare Program has worked with over 200 landowners to remove weeds and plant native trees and shrubs along their streams for free. Over that time, StreamCare has been available in four priority watersheds in eastern Multnomah County. We are now offering this program in two new watersheds: Buck Creek and Bonnie Brook.

Flyers were recently mailed to eligible landowners in the new watersheds. To learn more, contact Lucas Nipp at (503) 539-5764 or lucas@emswcd.org. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are not able to conduct site visits at this time, but are encouraging folks to call, email, or text now to get on the list so we can get the process started and make sure your space is reserved. Find out more about the StreamCare Program here.