Local Work Group meeting - 1/27/2023
Local Work Group Meetings are a valuable part of our planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers and colleagues to be part of the collaborative effort to improve natural resources within our County. We reviewed the top 3 priorities and funding opportunities under the NRCS Long Range Plan (1) Soil Health and Water Quality Principles, (2) Forest Resiliency in the face of climate change, and (3) Oak Restoration for Wildlife.
Links from Presentation:
- NRCS - Polk County
- Polk County Long Range Plan
- Pacific Northwest Cover Crop Selection Tool
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Grants
- Environmental Quality Initiatives Program (EQIP)
- Forest Practices Act
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- Climate Smart Mitigation Activities
- COMET tools
- Conservation Innovation Grants
- Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program
- OSU Extension - Small Farms Program
- Polk SWCD Events
- Polk SWCD Resources
The Birds of cornerstone - 4/26/2022
The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a free zoom presentation – The Birds of Cornerstone, by Harry Fuller of the Salem Audubon Society. Watch as Harry will highlight some of the bird species that can be found at Cornerstone, an 87-acre conservation easement, managed by Polk SWCD. Cornerstone is situated in northcentral Polk County and has a unique combination of habitats, including heritage oaks, that draw a wide variety of bird species.
Harry is the co-founder of Partnership for International Birding. He is an avid bird blogger and is the author of Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle, and co-author of Great Owls of California, Oregon and Washington. Harry has been instrumental in the upcoming installation of the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network at Ankeny Wildlife Refuge. We are grateful to have Harry here to share his enthusiasm of birds.
Harry is the co-founder of Partnership for International Birding. He is an avid bird blogger and is the author of Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle, and co-author of Great Owls of California, Oregon and Washington. Harry has been instrumental in the upcoming installation of the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network at Ankeny Wildlife Refuge. We are grateful to have Harry here to share his enthusiasm of birds.
climate resilience & agriculture - 4/20/2022
Polk SWCD hosted an Earth Day Webinar – Climate Resilience & Agriculture
The backbone of the Willamette Valley is agriculture and working lands. With our changing climate, it is ever more important to incorporate practices that build resilience and strengthen operations. Hear from our local experts and ag producers on ways they are addressing this topic.
• Ashley Rood – Co-Director, Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network (OrCAN)
• Evelyn Conrad – District Conservationist, Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS), Polk County
• Pryor Garnett – Owner & Farmer, Garnetts Red Prairie Farm
• Helle Ruddenklau – Owner and Farmer, Ruddenklau Farms
• Brad Ford – Owner & Winemaker, Illahe Vineyards
The backbone of the Willamette Valley is agriculture and working lands. With our changing climate, it is ever more important to incorporate practices that build resilience and strengthen operations. Hear from our local experts and ag producers on ways they are addressing this topic.
• Ashley Rood – Co-Director, Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network (OrCAN)
• Evelyn Conrad – District Conservationist, Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS), Polk County
• Pryor Garnett – Owner & Farmer, Garnetts Red Prairie Farm
• Helle Ruddenklau – Owner and Farmer, Ruddenklau Farms
• Brad Ford – Owner & Winemaker, Illahe Vineyards
Follow up Information & Resources:
- OrCAN: Network Engagement Survey & Lay of the Land & Levers for Change: Farming for Climate Resilience in Oregon 2021 and Beyond
- NRCS Oregon - Programs and Resources in your county
- Video - Farming Robots
- Article - Real-World Cover Crop Decisions
- OSU Extension - Fertilizer Guides
LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETING – 01/28/2022
Local Work Group Meetings are a valuable part of the NRCS and SWCD planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers to be part of a collaborative effort to improve natural resources within your county. In this meeting, we reviewed the top 3 priorities and funding opportunities under the current NRCS Long Range Plan - (1) Forest Health, (2) Oak Woodland Health, (3) Soil Health & Erosion. We also discussed the new 'Mid Willamette Beaver Partnership', Climate Resiliency for Farmers, and New Technology in Agriculture.
Regenerative Pasture Management: Part 1 - 12/14/2021
Learn how to manage your farm for healthier animals, plants and soil. Watch this 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.
Agricultural Drainage Channel Maintenance Class – 02/24/2021
Polk SWCD hosted a class presented by Tyler Manitsas of Oregon Department of Agriculture on their new program.
NRCS Local Working Group Meeting – 01/29/2021
Local Workgroup Meetings are a valuable part of the NRCS and Polk SWCD planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers to be part of a collaborative effort to improve natural resources within your county.
Listen to the meeting audio below:
Listen to the meeting audio below:
