PIC Program Events
Past 2016 events
The Fourth Annual Free Shellfish Dinner - Stanwood, WA - August 13, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Bring family and friends for an evening of delicious organic food prepared by the Stanwood Grill, and live music by local article Ford Giesbrecht! The evening will also include guest speakers providing updates on the status of water quality in the Stillaguamish Basin.
Look Ma, No Mud! A Farm Tour - Silvana, WA - July 23, 2016 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Two Silvana horse owners are tackling mud with projects big and small. They are so excited to show you how they have improved their property and made it safer for their animals with horse-centered winter paddocks, creative strategies for minimizing mud, and tips that make chore-time a breeze.
November 14, 2015 | Resources for Healthy Water - Lower Stillaguamish Basin Area | Stanwood
The PIC Program is hosting the Resources for Healthy Water - Lower Stillaguamish Basin Area event at Stanwood High School from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm. Attendees learned about and receive:
- Resources - technical information for agriculture best management practices, pet owners, and on-site septic system repairs
- Financial assistance – multiple financial resources for livestock, agriculture and septic system owners
- Giveaways – collect freebies (while supplies last) and the latest information on managing waste for livestock, pets and on-site septic systems
Press Release: Snohomish County Public Works Hosts Resources for Healthy Water Event (PDF)
November 10, 2015 | Farm Hedgerow Workshop and Field Day | Whatcom County
Hedgerows have shown benefits to farmers in Whatcom County because they reduce frequency of ditch maintenance, increase beneficial pollinators, and provide shade to keep water healthy for fish. Though they provide many benefits, there are certainly things to keep in mind – is there a risk of increasing beavers, or will it be difficult to access the ditches to maintain them? Producers in Whatcom had similar concerns 10 years ago, but now that their hedgerows are well-established, they have experienced a reduction in the frequency of routine ditch cleanings, have managed to keep beavers away, and now enjoy the benefits of increased pollinators near their crops. Snohomish Conservation District Farm Planner Brett de Vries will lead the field trip up to Whatcom County to tour various hedgerow sites, and will be available to answer your questions about funding and labor for installing hedgerows on your property.
October 10, 2015 | Model Farm Tour | Stanwood
A horse farm tour where attendees learned effective strategies for dealing with mud, manure, and water on your property. This farm tour highlighted practices such as heavy-use areas, rotational grazing, gutters, rain barrels and covered manure-bin composting system. Attendees learn first-hand how others have managed to keep their farm free of overwhelming amounts of mud or manure. Farm planners were available to answer questions and offer information about funding available for select projects.
August 26, 2015 | Shoreline Stewardship for the Sunday Lake Community | Stanwood
Sunday Lake Community members shared summertime treats with their neighbors as they learned about ways individual property owners can help improve the health of their lake and prevent the algal blooms that occur each year.
July 25, 2015; July 31 – August 2, 2015 | Silvana and Stanwood-Camano Fairs | Silvana/Stanwood
Livestock exhibitors and their adult helpers learned about opportunities for cost-share funding for installing and implementing projects that help people manage mud and manure on their properties, keep ditches and streams cleaner with native plants, and more.
April-May 2015 | Co-op Talks at the Stanwood Country Store| Stanwood
Snohomish Conservation District (SCD) held a series of “Co-op Talks” at the Stanwood Country Store (Skagit Farm Supply) on three consecutive Saturdays in April and May. A farm planner was available at each talk to answer questions from participants and store patrons.
- April 18: Manure – Containing and Composting It! Participants learned why managing mud and manure on farms is important for the health of their animals, land, and water. SCD presented a slideshow depicting the types and construction of manure bins and heavy use areas, and provided specifications for different designs.
- April 25: Rainwater Cisterns for Farm and Home. SCD Farm Planners and engineers described how to make use of rainwater in both farm and home settings, and explained how catchment can mitigate mud and erosion on one’s land.
- May 2: Livestock Fencing and Off-Stream Watering. The SCD Farm and Habitat Specialist and Skagit Farm Supply consultant described how to approach livestock exclusion fencing and off-stream watering, highlighting the benefits to the land and livestock. Participants learned about the types of fencing used for different animals and applications, and how to install them for strength and longevity.
March 28, 2015 | Sound Horsekeeping – Healthy Pastures for Healthy Water | Stanwood
Staff from Horses for Clean Water and the SCD shared tips on how to make pastures more productive and control weeds naturally. Participants learned the basics of how grasses grow and how to become a "grass farmer" by using a variety of techniques, including winter paddocks, liming, spreading compost, rotational grazing, managing small grazing areas, and least-toxic weed control.
October 16, 2014 | Hedgerows Talk
SCD Staff attended a meeting of the Stillaguamish River Flood Control District to describe the value of hedgerows along drainage ditches, and promoted an upcoming hedgerow workshop and field day.
October 9, 2014 | Septic Sense 101| Stanwood
Participants learned how to prevent costly repairs on their home septic systems through proper maintenance. They learned about how septic systems work, household products to avoid putting into a system, and tips for identifying when one needs repairs. Staff were present to offer information on funding available to local landowners to repair septic systems.
September 13, 2014 | Holistic Manure Management Workshop | Stanwood
Participants learned the latest on manure management and horse health. The non-profit Horses for Clean Water taught a holistic approach to parasite control and manure management, including how to compost horse manure, off-site options for dealing with stall waste and the latest techniques for reducing stall waste in the barn. Parasite control, resistance to de-wormers, use/overuse of de-wormers and techniques to target parasite control were also discussed.
February 2014 | Dairy Producer Meeting
SCD Farm Planners held a dairy producer meeting at a local dairy to discuss opportunities for dairies to receive cost-share funding for installing practices that help them manage manure and nutrients on their farms.