Category Archives: Rural Lands

NRCS Local Work Group Meeting on February 29th

NRCS’s Local Work Group Meeting has been scheduled and your participation is requested!

Agricultural producers – farmers, ranchers, foresters, nursery growers and other land managers- in Clackamas and Multnomah Counties are encouraged to attend. The meeting is being offered in a hybrid format (virtual and in person) and registration is required for either option, details below.

What is a Local Work Group Meeting?

Each year, local NRCS field offices around the state hold a Local Work Group Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity for NRCS staff to hear from the people they serve in their communities. Local landowners and conservation partners know first-hand about the natural resource needs in their area. This locally-led process helps inform conservation priorities and strategies across Oregon. Learn more here.

Feedback provided by growers will enable NRCS to update the county Long Range Plan and develops new Conservation Implementation Strategies to address identified resource concerns.  Read more

Garlic Mustard Dumpster

a field of invasive garlic mustard is flowering

EMSWCD is once again providing a dumpster for disposing of pulled and bagged garlic mustard. The dumpster is located on the Historic Highway, in front of the ball field across the street from the Corbett Water District.

The dumpster is marked clearly as GARLIC MUSTARD DUMPSTER. A tracking sheet is located below the dumpster – please fill out all of the information requested on the sheet so we can track how much time was spent pulling garlic mustard and where it came from. A dumpster will be provided each spring to help the community dispose of garlic mustard.

We are also allowing residents to dispose of tansy ragwort in this dumpster. Please only use this dumpster to dispose of garlic mustard and tansy!

Have any questions? Send an email to Chris    Learn more about pulling invasive garlic mustard

 

Remember: Re-visit pulled sites frequently to make sure no new garlic mustard plants grow and go to seed.

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 14th and 21st 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

graphic showing a forest and hills in silhouette, saying "Fire Aware. Fire Prepared."

“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 8th, 2021. Visit the Online Webinar Guide on the Fire Program website for more information:

View the Online Webinar Guide here.

Remaining workshops:

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

Office hours

Office Hours Horse

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.

    Fields marked with an asterisk "*" are required.

    First Name*

    Last Name*

    Address*

    Email*

    Phone Number*

    What are your resource concerns? Please select all that apply.*

     

    Have questions?

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

    Our StreamCare program has planted half a million plants!

    staff and contractors staking native plants at a site along Johnson Creek

    On February 9th, 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 Julie DiLeone at (503) 539-5764 or julie@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.