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Do you grow vegetables or small fruit to sell or eat for yourself? Would you like tools to help you do it more efficiently or effectively? Or have you been thinking about it but not sure how to proceed? Do you own an acre or more of land and want to manage it better? Do you have or want to have livestock on that land? Do you wish you could go to one spot to learn about these, plus talk to resource professionals and shop for equipment? If you answer, “yes” to even one of these questions, then you want to clear your calendar on Saturday March 29th so you can attend the Small Farm Expo!
On Saturday March 29th, local crop producers, livestock owners (including horses) and small acreage landowners have a unique opportunity to see hands-on demonstrations, educational presentations, and vendors presenting the most current information on livestock, crop and resource technologies, and land management. All of this is available for free at the 2nd annual Small Farm Expo being held at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw from 9am – 3pm.
This event expands on last year’s focus providing information to livestock owners on how to manage manure. Livestock owners can learn ways to reduce the amount of stall “waste” generated by their animals. Horticultural producers and food growers will learn how to use composted manure safely and effectively to boost their production! One of the workshops will feature Andy Bary from WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center – he will be on hand to provide concrete advice on soil fertility if you bring your questions and soil analysis to him (time permitting)!
Are you tired of doing your chores in the mud? Educational talks will provide tips and technical assistance to livestock owners on how to holistically approach farm management. Learn to manage manure, mud, and your pastures as an integrated whole – making daily chore less of a chore and improving the productivity and value of your property. Learn how to install rubber mats (reducing your bedding needs and making clean-up easier). King County residents can receive coupons for up to $60.00 off rubber stall mats!
Personnel from local agencies (WSU, UW, Conservation Districts, Noxious Weed
Board, Washington State Department of Agriculture, and more) will be there to
help answer questions. The King Conservation District will be giving away a
free native plant to Expo goers again this year, while supplies last (they went
fast last year)! We’ll include information about crop production, including
identifying beneficial insects, how to sell successfully at Farmers Markets,
and what vegetable varieties grow well in the PNW.
The Small Farm Expo also has a trade show with vendors ranging
from tractor and small farm equipment dealers, fertilizer dealers (including
organic) to feed and seed dealers (organic options here too). The 2nd annual
4-H Poultry Show will be held in conjunction with the Expo -- come and see what
our youngest farmers have to say and show.
Do you own or are interested in owning livestock? Visit the animal displays with basic information on how to raise them. If you’re looking to buy visit the livestock vendors on hand showing their pedigrees and arranging for purchase (for the safety of Expo goers and the animals alike, no live animals will be sold at the Expo). Confirmed breeders include meat and milk goats, beef cattle, Llamas & alpacas and more.
Practical demonstrations on using herding dogs, taking wool from sheep (or Llama) to shawl, packing Llamas for stock use, and more will be available.
The Small Farm Expo is like a country fair without all the distractions – providing useful tips and technical assistance for the interested public.
To see the full day’s schedule, visit the Small Farm Expo site or call 206.205.3206.
The Small
Farm Expo is sponsored by WSU Extension, King Conservation District
and King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks.
Hortsense: Managing plant problems with Integrated Pest Management
