Extension faculty, conservation district advisors, natural resource professionals, nutritionists and consultants in western Washington and Oregon can learn the latest ideas in pasture management at upcoming, intensive Westside Pasture Calendar Training sessions in both states.
Developed by agricultural researchers at Washington State University, Oregon State University and the University of Idaho, the Westside Pasture Calendar share key concepts for good decision making.
Researchers at all three universities developed and published the calendar as a Pacific Northwest Extension Bulletin, funded by a grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Professional Development Program.
The training is free. In Oregon, sessions will be held Nov. 14-17 at Coquille, Roseburg, Corvallis and Tillamook. In Washington, training sessions will be held Dec. 5-8 in Mount Vernon, Port Hadlock, Olympia and Vancouver.
Workshops begin with an overview of westside pastures, followed by an overview and look at the details of the calendar; a discussion of westside pasture grasses and legumes; westside soils and fertility; grazing management and animal performance; and ends with interactive sessions on pasture situations and challenges.
Greenhouse-grown seedlings of adapted grasses and legumes will be viewed during lunch, and there will be multiple evaluations throughout the day.
Food and drinks will be provided throughout the day, including lunch, all at no cost to attendees.
Trainees will be provided with a pasture stick, designed for westside pasture conditions and USB drives containing the calendar, presentations and other resources.
• To attend the free training session, or view the agenda, visit the Pasture Calendar Training Eventbrite site.
• To learn more, contact: In Oregon, Gene Pirelli (971) 612-0027; gene.pirelli@oregonstate.edu and in Washington, Steve Fransen (509) 786-9266; fransen@wsu.edu.