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Profiling Washington's Conservation Successes

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No longer able to walk fence lines, Gerald Davis now performs many of his farming chores via his four-wheel off-road vehicle.
Despite obstacles, farmer adapts, grows and protects resources

Farmers are use to standing on their own two legs – figuratively. But, as it became increasingly difficult for Gerald Davis to stand on his – literally – he did what he had done for much of his life. He adapted. A 64-year-old Yakima County farmer, Mr. Davis suffers from spasticity in both of his legs, a condition in which certain muscles continuously contract. This contraction causes stiffness and tightness so severe that Mr. Davis can walk only with the aid of his walker. Unlike many of his agronomic counterparts, he no longer walks the fence line, or kicks the clods between the cultivated furrows in his field.
 

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John Keller (right) and his son Billy, are pictured here outside the family’s forest cabin in Cowlitz County. For four generations, the Kellers have enjoyed recreating in, and caring, for their privately owned forest.
A harvest of benefits, memories: Program paves way to protect private
forest resources

Forests yield, among other things, wood products, wildlife habitat, oxygen and water. But for John Keller, perhaps the most important thing his forest produces is memories. As a child growing up in the 1960s and 70s, he and his family made frequent treks to the forest his grandfather owned in Cowlitz County, Washington. Working along side his father and grandfather – playing, exploring and wandering for hours under the forests’ canopy – young John developed a deep and lasting attachment to the land.
 

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Schmid family photo with their dog, standing with their organic farm cows
Sustaining traditions, values and resources: Family farm produces more than just organic dairy products

Their roots run deep. So too does their commitment to God, family, community and the land. Their heritage is steeped in a set of core values dating back to when their rugged ancestors first settled the area called Trout Lake in the late 1800s.
 

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Jeff Swotek and landowner Donna Albert examine a newly planted tree in her forest.
Growing a healthy forest: Landowners, NRCS, help nature take root
 

They thought they’d just let nature take its course. But after a few years, Donna and Leonard Albert realized that growing a natural, healthy forest would also require a healthy dose of nurture. However, learning how to cultivate a healthy forest haven on their 75-acre forest in Thurston County, Washington, was a challenge for the Alberts. Like many of their neighbors who make their homes amid the firs and fauna, they are not foresters. They are not trained in the science and art of tree health and forest ecology.
 

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Aerial vew of portion of Scotia Valley in northeast Washington.
For Love of the Land: Family Donates easement, uses conservation assistance to create wildlife haven

They wanted to leave a legacy that would protect their picturesque property in the Scotia Valley from succumbing to the rampant development that has consumed an increasing number of acres throughout eastern Washington.

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Image of Columbia Gorge Western Pond Turtle.
Racing to save a species: NRCS habitat expertise provides critical link for turtle recovery

In 1990, when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) conducted its population survey, fewer than 60 healthy Columbia Gorge Western Pond Turtles were believed to be in existence. Once common in the Puget Sound region and the Columbia Gorge, the Western Pond Turtle’s rapidly declining population – brought on by loss of habitat, disease and predation by non-native species such as bullfrogs – soon placed it on the state’s endangered species list.

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Portrait of Mr. Daellenbach featured forest landowner.
Sowing the seeds of forest health - EQIP takes root in private forest

For the past three years, Mr. Daellenbach has poured much of his time, energy, money, and muscle into turning his private forest into a healthy, functioning ecosystem. And the calluses on his hands provide the evidence that the terrestrial transformation did not happen by itself.

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Portrait of Mr. Lawder featured forest landowner.
The road less traveled:  Conservation assistance provides path to healthy forest

While trapped behind the wheel of his automobile in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or while negotiating the seemingly endless corridors of concrete on-ramps, off-ramps and highways, Mr. Lawder often dreamed of owning his own piece of tranquility – surrounded by trees and nature – far from the noise, congestion and traffic of city life. 

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NRCS Resource Conservationist, Amanda Ettestad (left) and Horse Heaven Hills farmer, Don Walker, review the conservation plan that Mr. Walker uses as part of his direct-seed operation. The conservation plan also serves as a guide to maintain the vegetative buffer strips that reduce wind erosion.
Dust and danger: Conservation provides solution to what’s “blowin’ in the wind”

Don Walker knows he can’t count on the rain.  In a good year, the Horse Heaven Hills receives only seven inches of precipitation – about enough to grow 26 bushels of wheat per acre.

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Brenton Roy is a fourth-generation farmer, pictured here in a hop field at The Roy’s Oasis Farms, near Prosser. Mr. Roy, like many other Yakima River Valley producers has used NRCS programs to conserve soil and water resources and reduce nutrient and energy imput costs.
Economics, efficiency make conservation good business decision for valley farmer

It would be hard to find a more diverse farming operation than what you’ll find at The Roy’s Oasis Farms, near Prosser, Washington. On 1500 acres of irrigated farmland, fourth-generation farmer Brent Roy oversees the production of peaches, apricots, nectarines, apples, cherries, grapes and hops.

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Ten years ago, Adolfo Alvarez purchased his first 80-acre orchard. Almost immediately he began the process of becoming an organic grower. Through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Mr. Alvarez also improved his water management efficiencies by converting to sprinkler irrigation.
A passion for fruit: Organic grower finds niche farming with nature

He began his career in the fields – picking asparagus alongside dozens of other workers, month after month, in the relentless summer sun.

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Representing the fourth, fifth and sixth generations on their land, are (from left to right) Jane, Campbell, Jim, Jeff, Emerson and Kara Schulke. Because of their work in developing miles of riparian buffers along Dry Creek, the Schulke’s were honored this year by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Conservation Commission.
Conservation buffers yield wildlife, water quality thanks to farm family’s dedication

A few weeks ago, eight-year-old Campbell Schulke set out to capture a crawfish from Dry Creek. He caught one. Then he put it in a jar and proudly took it to school to show his buddies.

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Now in his 80s, Ramon Walters has seen significant changes in agricultural production technology – from horses to tractors, from conventional tillage to direct seeding. Thanks in part to NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Mr. Walters has been able bring soil and energy saving technology to the land he farms near Walla Walla.
Technology, tenacity keeps Walla Walla producer growing with the times

He had worked from sun-up to sun-down – for 26 days. Immediately after he picked up his $26 paycheck, 14-year-old Ramon Walters went to town and bought a bicycle for exactly $26.

He didn’t have a penny left over.

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Tribal Wildlife Biologist Tracy Hames, right, and NRCS Tribal Liaison Roger Amerman, pause near one of the 28 engineered grade control structures that have helped restore the natural hydrology to Mid-Toppenish Creek.
Program helps restore hydrology, wetlands, cultural resources on Yakama lands

Tracy Hames unfurls a three foot map across the hood of his vehicle. Nearby, birds chirp excitedly as they flutter amid the branches in a willow grove. A pair of ducks takes wing in the distance. Across the expanse of tule reeds, cattails and shallow ponds, shorebirds feed – silently pacing along the water’s edge, stabbing at insects with their spear-like beaks.

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Running The South 47 Farm requires a skilled and dedicated crew. Pictured above is Roger Calhoon (left), the general manager and farmer for Farm LLC, along with his wife Carol and son Andrew.
NRCS program protects sustainable farm from urban encroachment
 

In Seattle’s sprawling metropolis, nestled near Highway 405 between NE 124th Street and Woodinville-Redmond Road, you will find a little patch of country living – The South 47 Farm.

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Keeping the perfect amount of water in reservoir is the job of three inlet valves which operate with a float system demonstrated by Gary Smith, Sequim Prairie Tri Irrigation Association member.
Saving more than water:
Upgraded irrigation system provides additional flow for salmon habitat

Living in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Sequim Prairie farmers receive roughly 11 inches of rain annually and depend upon the Dungeness River for their irrigation needs.

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Rene and Carmen Garcia, who began their careers as field workers more than 30 years ago, now own and operate G&G Orchards, Washington’s only Hispanic-owned grower/packer operation.
Stewardship, Mexican President’s visit top farm family’s business achievements

When Rene Garcia was a field worker in the orchards of the Yakima Valley more than 30 years ago, he never imagined that one day he would own more than 800 acres of productive orchards; operate his own state-of-the-art packing house and climate-controlled storage facility; and host the President of Mexico during an official state visit.

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Kurt Grinnell and Pat Adams, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal members, dedicate Jimmycomelately Creek – with its new meandering flow – for the return of the summer chum salmon. Photo provided by Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
Meandering again: Jimmycomelately Creek returns to its natural course

Jimmycomelately Creek is flowing along its natural route again – a route that will benefit endangered salmon by creating spawning grounds and wildlife habitat. But restoring the creek back to its natural route was no small task – requiring technical expertise, assistance, and work from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the local community.

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Michele Whitt Smith, Robe Valley Flood Control District Commissioner, walks near a rock vane water control structure. This structure and others, were part of the NRCS’ emergency watershed protection project.

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program restores stream bank, protects community from future erosion

It started as a natural disaster: Heavy rainfall resulting in massive flooding – lifting homes off of their foundations – sending them floating down the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River.

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Though she admits she didn’t especially enjoy working in the orchards as a child, Erica Garcia-Thomas (seen here with her dog “Pebbles”) is now the owner-operator of her own orchards near Yakima.
Yakima orchardist finds new career, conservation efforts “very rewarding”

When she was a little girl, Erica Garcia dreamed of working in an air-conditioned office in a big city.  Having toiled in the orchards of her family’s farm since she was old enough to help clear brush or move irrigation lines, a career in agriculture was the last thing from her mind.

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Spokane Tribe Biologist David Wood and NRCS District Conservationist Dave Kreft examine a recent planting of native grasses. These plantings will help fend off invasive species and establish sharp-tail grouse habitat.
Beauty belies the weeds: Spokane Tribe, NRCS work to restore native habitat

An ocean of pastel lavender and yellow flowers carpet the undulating landscape of the Spokane Tribe Indian Reservation – stretching as far as the horizon. These vibrant, even beautiful, “wildflowers” look harmless, but their deceptive beauty threatens an ecosystem, an upland bird species – and a way of life.

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The Scheibe farm has grown in both market value and in intrinsic value for the entire family (from left) Art, Nathan, Ron and Kim.
Investment in habitat yields bounty of wildlife, recreation and enjoyment for Washington farm family

A few years ago, while at his farm home near Anatone, Ron Scheibe answered a knock at his door.  Standing before him was a bird hunter from Pennsylvania who asked for and then received permission from Mr. Scheibe to hunt on his land.

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With help from the NRCS, the Hendricksons (from left Tom, Katie and Kim) have implemented key conservation practices along Asotin Creek.
Conservation, landowner cooperation help protect critical salmon stream

He’s a practical, no-nonsense cattleman who wears a white hat – literally. But professional biologists and conservationists who have worked with Tom Hendrickson during the past few years believe he wears a metaphorical white hat, too.

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After caring for, learning about, monitoring, and naming the salmon fry, it all comes down to“Release Day.”
Classrooms become hatcheries as students raise salmon to learn about ecosystem

Students across Washington are receiving the education of a salmon’s lifetime by raising them in their classrooms for release into local rivers.

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The Willms’ family (from left Sally, Evelyn and Marvin) say their Wetlands Reserve Project habitat improvements bring a variety of wildlife right to their back door.
Wetlands bring improvements to land, family, wildlife and community

To view wildlife, most people have to turn on the television or open a magazine.  But all the Willms family has to do is look out their window or step out their back door.  On this particular day, Marvin Willms was enjoying a hot breakfast when he spotted a doe out of his window.

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  Three generations of the Berg family (from left) Steven, Frank, Matt, Art and Nicole, all play important roles in the expansive agricultural operation.
Stewardship, tenacity, innovation combine to create bright future for Berg farm

If you look closely as you drive along State Highway 221 near the Berg farm just a few miles north of Paterson, Washington, you’ll find agri-business caps and tattered leather boots strategically placed atop dozens of barbed-wire fence posts.

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 Once an area that grew only mounting piles of spoils from an ore mill, John Hamilton’s pond and wetland area now grows a variety of plants and wildlife.
Vision, dedication and conservation transform eyesore into wildlife utopia

Most people saw an eyesore. John Hamilton envisioned a sanctuary – a place where wildlife would flourish, fish would splash, and physically challenged or ill children would come to spend a peaceful weekend – a place where they could briefly shed the bonds of illness while sharing some quality time with their families.

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With the help of the NRCS, Stevens Ranch partners (from left) Tom Pfeifer, Don Schmauder, David Stevens and Derek Stevens have created or enhanced hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat.
Conservation programs provide tools for creating wildlife haven – hunter’s heaven

It’s hard to imagine an environment less hospitable for wildlife than the vast and rugged central highlands of Washington. With an average annual rainfall of less than nine inches, and temperatures that range from well-below zero to more than 100 degrees, nature’s creatures have to be superbly adapted to simply survive this harsh and unforgiving ecosystem.

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...For more information on mule deer habitat click on to: http://www.muledeer.org/
Fred Colvin and Gus Hughbanks, State Conservationist NRCS Washington, pointing across Colvin's Ranch at the native prairie.
Conservation program helps preserve prairie, family ranching traditions

Standing among the native camas in a sea of green sprinkled with yellow, blue, and lavender flowers, Fred Colvin imagines that little has changed since 1865. And now, thanks to the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), little will.

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Tribal councilman Andy Joseph harvests the first spring Chinook to be taken from Omak Creek in 80 years. The fish was prepared for the Colville Confederated Tribe’s 1st Salmon Cerenony. (Photo by Keith Kistler)
A place to come home to:
Ceremony marks return of salmon, tradition to Colville Reservation

Tom Louie didn’t know if he would live to see the day when the spring Chinook came home again. It had been some 80 years since the last time they had made their way up the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers, into Omak Creek and onto the Colville Indian Reservation.

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Jesus Limon standing in his orchard
Growing with Conservation: Orchard grower reaps CSP rewards.

The super market customers who buy Jesus Limón’s apples and cherries will probably never walk through his orchards to see his micro irrigation system – a system controlled by state of the art electronics and embedded soil moisture monitors. They will probably never know that he performs annual soil tests and leaf tissue analysis to help him add just the right amount of nutrients for his apple and cherry trees – saving water and improving water quality in the process.

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Jason, Brooke, and Debbie VanderVeen stand amid a newly planted buffer system on their farm.
Conservation, dedication, all part of successful Whatcom County dairy.

To be successful in farming today producers need to be business professional, marketer, scientist, and conservationist all rolled up in one. To survive in today’s competitive markets, producers must incorporate all of these aspects into their operations and adapt quickly to changing market conditions and challenges.

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Erasmo Cerda producer in Yakima Valley slowly transitioning rill irrigation to sprinkler irrigation with help from NRCS.
Making strides in conservation step-by-step.

Yakima Valley producer Erasmo Cerda made the transition slowly – first converting 10 acres of his vineyard from rill irrigation to sprinkler irrigation. When he saw the dramatic improvement in his irrigation efficiency, he converted another 40 acres. Then another 25 acres.

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  Gurmeet Singh and Ranbeer Déaliwal installed a drip irrigation system to precisely control watering in their blueberry fields through EQIP.
Beginning farmers improve water quality, bottom line through conservation program.

It’s said that farmers are one of America’s "dying breeds." But the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working to breathe new life into America’s agriculture through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

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Orchardist Juan De LaTorre working hard to improve his irrigation system. NRCS with the EQIP program were able to help.
Orchardist saves time, money, natural resources through NRCS program.

Juan De LaTorre is a hard working, practical business person. So three years ago when he learned that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) might be able to provide technical and financial assistance to help him install a more efficient irrigation system in his orchard, he decided it was worth looking into.

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"Updated" 10/15/2009

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