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This is the place to get up to date information on the new and exciting happenings in the
Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District and the Hood River Watershed Group.
*Scroll down to the bottom to find a calendar of upcoming events!*
News
Hood
River SWCD 2010/11
Annual Report
NOW Available!
The Hood River SCWD has completed its 2010/11 Annual Report! Inside you will find stories about the past year's successes, experiences and happenings of the SWCD, the Hood River Watershed Group and their many partners. Click here to download your own copy today!
Time
to Complete CSP Payment Paperwork!
For producers who have a contract in the Conservation Security Program from 2005, it is time to complete the paperwork for annual payments again. Letters will be going out in the mail in the next couple of days. If you would like your payment in 2011, please schedule your appt with NRCS District Conservationist Carly Heron prior to Dec. 14, 2011. Carly can be reached at 541-386-2815. NRCS cannot guarantee you will receive the payment prior to the year end.
If you would like your payment AFTER Jan 1, 2012 please schedule an appointment between Dec 15th, 2011 and Jan 27, 2012. Also keep in mind that any changes to your operation such as sale or loss of land will require a modification and can mean more time is needed for processing of the payments.
Columbia
Gorge Cooperative Weed Mgmt Area
2012 Invasive Species & Exotic Pest Workshop
You are invited to the first annual Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area (CG-CWMA) workshop. The CG-CWMA, the Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program and WSU-Extension are hosting an invasive species & pest workshop in Stevenson, WA on March 29th, 2012. They will be offering up to six recertification credits for those with pesticide applicator licenses in Washington or Oregon.
Excellent presenters and topics are planned. Topics include:
New invasives on the Horizon: ID & treatment methods
Integrated rangeland management & weed control
Exotic pest Identification and Early Detection
Biocontrol: Alternative treatment methods & new agents
IPM strategies for weeds & pests
New topics in weed management & applications
For more information, follow this link or contact Justin Bush, Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program Coordinator at (509) 427-3941 or bush@co.skamania.wa.us.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now offering three initiatives aimed to help producers conserve energy, extend the growing season, and assist organic production. All three initiatives are funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are accepted on a continuous basis with three cutoff dates for ranking applications: Feb. 3, March 30, and June 1, 2012.
For additional information regarding these initiatives, visit the Oregon NRCS website at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov or follow this link to a press release on the programs. To determine your eligibility for USDA programs, please contact your local Farm Service Agency office in The Dalles at 541-298-8559. Applications for the EQIP program can be submitted to your local NRCS office by contacting Carly Heron at 541-386-2815.
Succession Planning Workshops for Family Landowners Coming in February
WSU Extension educators are offering the award-winning Ties to the Land succession planning workshop at multiple locations in February. Succession planning is the human side of estate planning, and is a way for families to maintain their ties to the land across multiple generations.
The workshop is a mix of presentation and practical exercises that help families address the key challenges of succession planning. Workshop participants learn about the legal and economic aspects of transferring a farm, forest or ranch from one generation to the next. Participants receive a Ties to the Land workbook and companion DVD, tools designed to help families to continue to improve and direct communication and planning at home.
The workshop will be offered Feb. 25 at the Hegewald Center, 9 a.m. 4 p.m., 710 SW Rock Creek Dr., Stevenson, Wash. Registration is $45 per family or ownership, and includes workbook, DVD, and refreshments. Lunch may be purchased at least one week in advance for $10 per person. Disability assistance is available on request.
Enrollment is limited to 30 families and registration is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact Andy Perleberg, 509-667-6540, andyp@wsu.edu To view all upcoming events, please visit http://bit.ly/extforestry and click the calendar link.
Two
Day Workshop:
Enhancing Biological Control in Orchard
Cropping Systems
February 7 & 8, 2012
Where: Wenatchee WA, Confluence Technology Center, with Satellite locations in:
Hood River, OR - Pine Grove Grange, and Pasco, WA Educational Service District
Washington State University, USDA-ARS, Oregon State University MCAREC, University of California Berkeley, UC Cooperative Extension, and UC-IPM are partnering to provide area growers with a unique two-day workshop entitled: Focusing on Tomorrow Today: enhancing biological control in orchard cropping systems. This two-day intensive workshop will focus on natural enemies and novel tools to maximize biological control in western orchards.
Online registration and more information are available at: http://enhancedbiocontrol.org. For more information on this event, please contact OSU Extension agent, Steve Castagnoli at 541-386-3343 ext 255.
Notice
to Hispanic and/or Women Farmers and Ranchers
If you are a woman or Hispanic farmer and believe you were improperly denied farm loan benefits by USDA between 1981 and 2000. You may be eligible for compensation.
To register your name to receive a claims packet, call the Farmer and Rancher Call Center at 1-888-508-4429 or visit: www.farmerclaims.gov.
Fruit
Pests: Spotted Winged Drosophila &
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
The Spotted Winged Drosophila (SWD) has made it through the winter in the Hood River Valley. It is an invasive pest that can be found in Oregon, California and Washington. SWD may infest a variety of fruits that are grown both commercially and in backyard gardens. Infested fruits are ruined due to the damage caused by fly maggots as they consume the fruit and accelerate the rate of rotting. To stay informed with the most current scientific knowledge of Spotted Wing Drosophila fruit fly biology, management, and effects on crops please regularly check the OSU Spotted Wing Drosophila website: http://swd.hort.oregonstate.edu or this new OSU publication on protecting garden produce from this pest.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) was first discovered in Allentown, PA where it quickly spread to other Mid-Atlantic states. It is now found in 29 states across the US. BMSB appears to now be resident in northwest OR (Portland south to Corvallis and east to Hood River). It is considered a major economic pest in Asia attacking a variety of high value crops, including tree fruit. This insect has made its presence known by causing losses in eastern stone fruit and apples and by becoming a late season pest in urban areas. Identification information can be found on the WSU Extension website: http://pmtp.wsu.edu/newsletters.html. If you suspect you have seen this insect in the area contact the Mid Columbia Ag Research and Extension Center at 541-386-2030.
National
Pesticide Information Center - Your Resource for Pesticide Questions
Do you know where to get information about pesticides? The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) is a resource that can help answer your questions. NPIC is at Oregon State University, and their mission is to provide science-based, objective information about pesticides. With the product name and registration number in-hand, their specialists will take the time to answer any questions you may have. The number for the NPIC is 1-800-858-7378.
-Service is available in over 170 languages
-Questions are welcome by phone (1-800-858-7378) or by email (npic@ace.orst.edu)
-NPIC is open 7 days a week from 6:30am to 4:30pm
-NPIC has fact sheets about several pesticides.
Visit the NPIC website at http://npic.orst.edu for more information.
OPB
News Highlights FCA Fish Screen
Oregon Field Guide film crews spent a total of four days since March in Hood River and Wasco counties working to put together the story of the Farmers Conservation Alliance innovative fish screen, which aired on their October 28th episode. Check out the full report at the Field Guide report by following this link: http://news.opb.org/article/fruit-growers-develop-innovative-screen-keep-fish-out-irrigation-water/
Oregon Field Guide airs Thursday evenings at 8:30pm on the television stations of OPB and repeats on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. The episode is available to watch on their website at http://opb.org/programs/ofg/.
Upcoming Events
February 2nd: Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Meeting 3:00-5:00pm at the OSU Extension Office
February 28th: Hood River Watershed Group 7-9pm at the OSU Extension Office
Keep up on the latest Mid-Columbia land management, food and farming events via this new collaborative community calendar:
Many thanks to Sarah Hackney for setting up this great tool!