Pierce County Conservation District Calendar of Volunteer Opportunities and Events

Livestock Paddocks
September 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Vaughn
Mud is not a given for livestock farms in the Pacific Northwest. Learn how to prep and install paddocks that will prevent barnyard mud. Horses, donkeys, pigs, and poultry can all enjoy cleaner living areas and improved health when gravel and other footing materials are used in high traffic areas. In this DIY workshop, you will understand how to grade, prep, and install gravel and sand footing in paddocks and high traffic areas.

Cultivation and Tillage Equipment, Tractors and Implements
September 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Roy
Join us for a how-to, hands-on demonstration. We’ll walk through which equipment to use and how to use it to get the various jobs done on your farm. Whether it is renovating a pasture, spreading manure, or spraying herbicides, bring your questions and our experts will help you determine what equipment is right for you.

Goat Farm and Raw Milk Dairy
September 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
Eatonville
Visit Left Foot Farm, a 25 acre Nigerian dwarf dairy goat farm that is also a licensed Grade A Raw milk dairy. The Foust’s practice rotational grazing with their goats, alpacas, and chickens, contain and compost the livestock’s manure in a manure bin built with ecology blocks, and use sand footing material in their horse’s paddock. Come check out the farm to get some management tips, pet the cute goats while you are there, and maybe purchase a bottle of milk to take home.

Information Booths
King Feed, Eatonville
September 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. andSeptember 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cenex, Purdy, October 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Visit our information booths for your fall recommendations on weed and pasture management including which types of seed to plant and soil sampling to know what kind of fertilizer to use. Pick up handy DIY guides on how to install paddock footing that will prevent mud this winter, as yes, the rain is coming. Learn more about District programs and services and whether they can help you reach your farm goals.

Pasture Fertilizing 101
September 28, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Gig Harbor
Just because the TV commercials say it’s time to fertilize doesn’t make it so. Learn how to identify nutrient deficiencies, how to take a soil sample and read the results, and how to develop a fertilizer schedule specifically for your farm, garden, pasture, or even your backyard. This workshop will also demonstrate how to use the district’s manure spreader and provides participants with a list of local farms who have aged manure to share.

Unless otherwise noted, please contact René or Erin to register at erine@piercecountycd.org, renes@piercecountycd.org, or (253) 845-9770.