Composting is a highly sustainable and low-tech way to cycle nutrients and improve soil health. However, the process and results of composting can be very different depending on the materials and situation. Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, soil scientist and professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at WSU, discusses ideal composting process and materials, as well as common limitations, realistic expectations, and appropriate uses for different composts. This presentation was recorded on March 11th, 2021.

Restoration efforts by Palouse Conservation District and partnering organizations, have provided essential habitat for birds and wildlife. Carly Monnin, AmeriCorps member with Palouse Conservation District, takes us on a tour of the birds we may see in those restoration areas and why native habitat is so essential. Filmed on location in the Palouse region of southeast Washington. Birding locations free and open to the public: Bill Chipman Trail at Paradise Creek Ider's Rest Nature Preserve, Moscow ID Kamiak Butte County Park, Palouse WA Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute, Moscow ID Perty Natural Area, Pullman WA Rose Creek Nature Preserve, Pullman WA Stateline Wetlands, Moscow ID Virgil Philips Farm County Park, Moscow ID University of Idaho Arboretum, Moscow ID Washington State University Arboretum, Pullman WA

Spalding’s Catchfly is a rare herbaceous perennial plant that grows in high-quality grasslands of the Palouse and other areas in the Intermountain West. It was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2001. Join Anthony Hatcher, Conservation Coordinator with Palouse Conservation District, to learn more about this regionally endemic species and the recovery efforts underway to preserve and increase populations here in Whitman County! This presentation was recorded on February 4th, 2021.

On average, the City of Pullman provides 2.5 million gallons of potable water to Pullman residents every day. This water is pumped solely from the Grande Ronde Aquifer, which is a critical water resource that is shared regionally and relied upon by other nearby towns/cities, universities, and rural businesses/residents throughout the Palouse region. Over the last 85 years, the Grande Ronde Aquifer water level has receded by more than 100 feet, and continues to decline. If left uncorrected, this trend could drastically affect the region and our ability to obtain and provide fresh, potable water. Join us and Cara Haley, City of Pullman Engineer, as we talk about where our potable water supply comes from, why we should care about how much water we use, and specific actions that can be taken by residents to collectively help reduce water usage.

The Soil Health Sit Down is a monthly conversation with producers, industry professionals, and researchers about soil health. This producer-driven event is to encourage dialogue surrounding cover crops, companion crops, and alternative cropping systems on the Palouse. Chris Eckhart, local producer from Eckhart Farms in Deer Park, Washington, will talk about the efforts his family has been trying to diversify the crops grown on their operation to benefit soil health and sustainability. Over the past few years, they have started experimenting with adding animals to the mix in a rotational grazing manner with the goal of increasing soil diversity and organic matter. Stephen Johnson, Whitman County Resource Conservationist with USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, will provide an overview of in-the-field methods that anyone can use to evaluate indicators of soil health. Only a shovel needed!

Tami Stubbs, Conservation Coordinator with PCD, provides an introduction to the agricultural systems of the Palouse region and some of the conservation practices that farmers, ranchers, and landowners are implementing to protect and enhance the working lands of the Palouse. This presentation was filmed January 7th, 2021.

Kathy Hutton of Plants of the Wild discusses how to use native trees and shrubs in your next landscaping project. This presentation was recorded on March 25th, 2021.

Join us for a monthly conversation with producers, industry professionals, and researchers about soil health. This producer-driven event is to encourage dialogue surrounding cover crops, companion crops, and alternative cropping systems on the Palouse. Frank Wolf, local producer from Lester Wolf Farm in Uniontown, Washington and long-term no-till farmer, will talk about the successes and challenges of finding a window to adopt cover crops on his operation. Dr. Katherine Dentzman, a rural sociologist with Washington State University and University of Idaho will talk about herbicide resistance, why it's a concern for conservation and agriculture, why community management is necessary, and what our current community management initiative on the Palouse looks like.

Dr. Timothy Paulitz, USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist and WSU Adjunct Professor, joins us to discuss basic plant diseases you may encounter in your garden or yard, how to identify them, and how to control them without using chemicals.

The Soil Health Sit Down is a monthly conversation with producers, industry professionals, and researchers about soil health. This producer-driven event is to encourage dialogue surrounding cover crops, companion crops, and alternative cropping systems on the Palouse. For our first presentation, WSU Extension Agronomist, Isaac Madsen will present on intercropping canola and peas, and integrating livestock into canola production systems. Jakin Berns from Green Cover Seed will talk about developing a custom cover crop mix for your operation with their SmartMix Calculator.

This video talks about native plants on the palouse, their uses, biological function, and how to identify them.

PCD's Ryan Boylan teams up with WSU's Ames Fowler to provide an overview of conservation agriculture on the Palouse, discuss some of their data, and explain how we can use research and monitoring to improve upon our current practices.