Thurston Conservation District is bringing community members together to learn about agroforestry practices while benefiting local farmers. In partnership with WSU Extension, Thurston CD recently hosted educational events at two nearby farms, where participants explored different types of agroforestry practices, discussed site preparation and maintenance, dug into planting plans and spacing, and learned how to install plants for long-term health.
Dancing Goats and Singing Chickens Organic Farm, one of the farms that hosted an event, expressed their gratitude to Thurston CD and WSU Extension, saying, "...we had approximately 35 volunteers who planted 400 trees in approximately five hours, including the cardboard and wood chips for the mulch. All the trees got special tubes for protection, and the big oak trees got steel fencing to protect them from browsers like deer, sheep, or goats. All the volunteers worked so happily, and we made several new friends. It gives us warm fuzzies in the heart that there is so much goodness in humanity and that so many people came out to help."
Great work, Thurston Conservation District! It warms all our hearts to see community members coming together to support conservation efforts.
In an arid landscape dominated by dryland grain production and rangeland, this pilot focuses on reducing soil loss, improving water availability, and supporting habitat health. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient working lands under changing conditions.
In a working lands landscape shaped by dryland farming, grazing, and irrigated agriculture, this pilot focuses on reducing erosion, keeping soil on the land, and improving stream and habitat conditions. By tracking conservation practices and applying watershed tools, the work helps partners better understand how voluntary conservation supports resilient farms and healthy watersheds.
Within a productive agricultural landscape shaped by dairy and crop production, this pilot focuses on improving water quality, managing nutrients, and reducing flood risks. Monitoring and conservation tracking help partners understand how voluntary conservation supports both farm viability and long-term watershed health.
