WSU Cooperative Extension

Whatcom County

Recent, Current, and Contemplated Programs

June 12, 2002

Program AreasAg & Natural Resources

Production AgMaster GardenerIPMWaste/nutrient mgmtWater resource mgmt

4-HClubsChallengeComputer Wizards

FamiliesParentingFood Safety

Significant Program Nexus

Agriculture Environment

Cooperative Extension Programs

Ag & WaterWater is critical to Whatcom Agriculture

IrrigationStock watering

~ 60% Whatcom Ag without adequate (or any) water rights>450 pending ag water rights in WhatcomBasin closed to new water appropriations

Ag & WaterActions

Created WCAPC to represent agricultureEnsure agriculture’s impact understoodHelp create and pursue creative solutions

Sub-basin, landowner approachEstablishing two PAWS weather stations

Ag – Nutrient ManagementIssue:

~80,000 Dairy Cows (top 0.5% US)

NO3 in groundwater, bacteria in surfacewater$ land prices

Need to export excessnutrientsApproaches

CompostBiogas

Nutrient ManagementSB6060 – all dairy farms have nutrient plan

Have been based on NNew NRCS rule for phosphorus

Significant potential impact on farms Due to data privacy concerns contract work

Better understand manure handling systemsPredict effect of new NRCS phosphorus std.

Nutrient ExportFacilitate understanding of biogas of dairy manureHelp facilitate establishment of biogas facilityDesign & conduct research on biogas fiber & compost utilizationFacilitate development fiber/compost market

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Daniel Coyne

Agricultural Research Technologist

Dairy IndustryThere are over 80,000 cows in Whatcom County1 cow for every 2 people. Manure is a problem for the environment & the farmer

Manure Compost Utilization

Recommended Home Garden Application Rate

Garden Demonstration, 2001 & 2002Turf Experiment, 2001 & 2002

Soil Component For Greenhouse Potting Medias

On-Farm Research Trails, 2002

Home Garden DemonstrationDesigned to establish a recommended application rate of dairy manure compost to Homeowners. Located at Hovander Park in Ferndale.Receives numerous visitors daily.

Home Garden Demonstration

Turf Experiment2001 & 2002

Hovander ParkDesigned to investigate the impact a ¼ inch of compost has on aerated and non-aerated turf.

Compost Utilization In Greenhouse

Container Production

The use of Digested, Separated,

Composted Dairy Solids in Soilless Potting Medias

Digested FiberProduct separated from the slurry pumped out of a Anaerobic Digester.

May be used as a replacement for peat moss is greenhouse potting medias.

On-Farm Research

Impact on Whatcom CountyHome Garden and Turf ExperimentEducate the public on the benefits compost has to the home garden environment.This will help move excess nutrients off the farm which will limit environmental impact.

Impact #2

Compost utilization in greenhouse mediasDecrease the level of dependence on Peat Moss as a soil component. Converts the by-products from one industry into inputs for another.Market development of digested fiber as a potting media. Assist in the establishment of a anaerobic digester in Whatcom County.

Master GardenerIssues

Local NeedsIncrease volunteer participation in priority programsIncrease volunteer recognitionImprove relations with MG FoundationSecure adequate training resourcesProgram impact/evaluation

Master Gardener ActionsDeveloped Strategic Plan with Foundation

Prioritized programsImproved communicationTargeted recognition

Improved MG volunteer managementJob fairDatabaseCustomer service survey

Training resources still a problem

Master Gardener Program

Walk-in Clinic

MG Classes

Demonstration Gardens

Master Gardener Plant Sale

Salmon Recovery

IssueSignificant failure rates for riparian revegetation

ActionsFormed local/regional Riparian WorkgroupFarmers growing trees for salmon project

7 Farmers produced 34,000 treesRiparian research & demonstrations

Master Composter Program

Two components:Home CompostingOn-farm composting

Home CompostSpring Master Composter/Recycler classes. Students learn:

Fundamentals of compost

Building & managing a worm box

RecyclingSupport burn banVolunteer waters compost bin

Community Field TripsHazardous Waste SiteOstroms mushroom farmAcme Worm FarmWhidbey Island Navy Base Vancouver Island Solar Aquatics water recyclingSkagit Soils Lynden Biosolids plantBailey Farms Students at local mushroom farm

Demonstration SiteMaintains site at popular county park. Hundreds of thousands of visitors yearlyMany questions answered while maintaining siteClasses and demonstrations heldDemonstration site at

Hovander Homestead Park

Formal TalksGarden groupsSchool groupsNeighborhood groupsLocal nurseriesProvide support and literature for teachersRegularly scheduled demonstrations at site Volunteer giving “hands on” class

Targeting Issues InformallyReports from creative volunteers include:

WWU employee influencing WWU professors Organized “turn in hazardous chemicals” dayWWU students introduced to local vermicompost farmer include product in class experimentsWorm composting directions modified, and schedules designed for disabled adultsWork with planned community landscapers to develop community composting siteNUMEROUS backyard consults

Compost SaleSell local dairy compost at annual master gardener plant saleEducates public about benefits and uses of compost Local farmers get “referrals” and appreciate support Volunteers bagging dairy compost

On-line and “Hard Copy” Publishing

Quickly address local issues by publishing on-line and/or hard copy brochures. Hot topics this year included:

“Rats in Compost?!”“To Tea or Not To

Tea” (Compost Tea)

Rats in Compost

On FarmConsult with farmers about compost issues:

OdorQualityMarketing

On Farm, Grower issues

Working with nursery about compost tea issuesInvolve other specialistsScientific trials of efficacyTesting for human pathogens

On-Farm, Hobby Horse FarmsClasses for horse ownersOn-line and hard copy publications on composting horse manure and building binsAssisted local park with horse trails in designing appropriate bins. Compost bin & sign at

Silver Lake Park

Watershed EducationPurpose

Provide knowledge and skills to citizens on watershed issues, to enable them to make:

Informed choices about behavior (stewardship)Informed contributions to policymaking processes

Watershed EducationNeed

Complex water issues affect every citizenEvery citizen can contribute to water resource protectionMany policy decisions require the community’s collective wisdom, engagement, and support

Watershed EducationLake-Friendly Gardening

To promote stewardship and behavioral changeWorkshop seriesKitWeb site

Watershed EducationLake-Friendly Gardening (cont.)

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Watershed EducationPhosphorus-Free Fertilizer

To provide and promote an option for individuals to reduce phosphorus loads into local water bodiesSeveral hundred bags sold to date

Watershed EducationWatershed Planning under 2514

Educate and engage the public in watershed planningJuly 2002 insert in all local papers –centerpiece of upcoming outreach efforts

Whatcom County Integrated Pest Management Project

Develop and implement educational programs to build understanding and successful adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices in a wide diversity of agricultural and other interests in the Whatcom County.Design and conduct pest management field research to enhance adoption of IPM practices.IPM Forums and advisory committee

Audiences and CollaboratorsHomeowner

Education

Master GardenerEducation

Public Lands & Municipalities

Model policy, forum & education

Small Fruit Growers

Forum & on-farm research

Greenhouse Growers

Forum & on-farm research

Nursery GrowersOn-farm research

Western Raspberry Fruitworm:Developing IPM Tools

Situation: Over 4,300 acres of Whatcom County raspberries receive a calendar-based insecticide applications to avoid fruit contamination by WRFW.

ActionDevelop collaboration with Scottish Crop Research Institute Test WRFW monitoring tools on the farm to time and apply management tactics appropriately where and when this pest problem arises.

2002 Results

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Beating Tray

ImpactsGrowers will eliminate insecticide applications to fields that have no WRFW problems. Growers will apply a single application instead of multiple applications.WSU entomologists now have tools to study population dynamics of this raspberry pest.

Crane Fly IPM: Introducing IPM into Whatcom County Homes

Situation: $13 million spent on crane fly pesticides purchased by Puget Sound homeowners in 1999.Diazinon and chlorpyrifos detected in storm water drains in Lake Whatcom watershed (a major drinking water source for Bellingham and County residents).

ActionProvide Education

Master GardenersWorkshops, trainingPublic outreachPress releasesBrochures, web pages & displays

Research Pest SignificanceCrane fly survey

Crane Fly Survey Results2001: 45 Lawns

65% = 0 crane fly larvae30% = 1-10 crane fly larvae0% = 10-20 crane fly larvae5% = 20-25 crane fly larvae0% = >25 crane fly larvae

2002: 78 Lawns90% = 0 crane fly larvae9% = 1-5 crane fly larvae 1% = 6-10 crane fly larvae 0% = >11 crane fly larvae

Crane Fly Web SiteProvide people with reliable informationConnect homeowners with expertsNetwork researchers to develop management toolsAll through partnerships

ImpactsVisitors to the Crane Fly Website per Whatcom's Top 20

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Impacts“I came across the cranefly site. I have subscribed to the forum but would also like to open communications for potential collaborative work.”

Rod BlackshawHead of ResearchUniversity of Plymouth

“The crane fly website and contacts in the northwest have been invaluable for me and for anyone back here trying to deal with these species - keep up the good work.”

Jon K. Gelhaus, Ph.D.The Academy of Natural Sciences

Programs for FamiliesDrew Betz, Faculty

Families Program AreasStrengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 YearsFerndale Family Life Skills Pilot Whatcom Families Resource DirectoryMaster Food Preservers and Food Safety Advisors

Strengthening Families Program

Issue: Preadolescence and early adolescence bring unique challenges to both parents and youth. Families need good information to

maintain positive relationships and safety for their youth members. Both parents and youth need support to manage and thrive in this transition.

Strengthening Families Program

Action: A community coalition has been organized to support the implementation of the program in at least two locations in the fall of 2002. Nine instructors have been trained and partnerships have been established.A grant for $9,666 was just awarded to us for implementation.

Strengthening Families Program

Impacts to date:The community is ready and willing to support the program and its implementation.Support for funding it has also been achieved and a second coalition grant is pending.

Ferndale Family Life Skills Pilot

Issue: Ferndale School District has a strong network of Family Support staff and have identified a need for life skills classes for many of the parents with whom they are engaged.

Ferndale Family Life Skills Pilot

Action: Working collaboratively with FSD staff, Drew Betz planned and conducted a focus group on May 1 with parents and staff from the district to determine their interests and readiness for life skills workshops. Planning will resume in late August to recruit and train staff and parent volunteers using WSU materials.

Ferndale Family Life Skills Pilot

Impact: A firm relationship has been established with Ferndale School District. Parents and staff recognize WSU Cooperative Extension as a resource they can use to aid them in both program development and parent education.

Whatcom Families Resource Directory

Issue: Parent education and support opportunities exist throughout the county but there is no single source for dissemination of the information. A planning group of 35 educators from across the county identified it as a top need in Nov. 2001.

Whatcom Families Resource Directory

Action: In cooperation with the Whatcom Parent Education and Support Network (led by Drew Betz), a web based directory housed at http://whatcom.wsu.edu is being created. It will be available in initial form by the fall of 2002.

Master Food Preservers and Food Safety AdvisorsIssue: Whatcom County is rich in agricultural resources that can be preserved for family and commercial use.Action: Volunteers are trained and they teach others to safely preserve and handle food through workshops and other community education events.

Master Food Preservers and Food Safety Advisors

Impacts: A new partnership with the Community Food Co-op has been formed and workshops are being publicized at no cost to all the members of the Co-op.

4-H/Youth DevelopmentCraig Fenske

4-H Extension Agent

4-H/Youth development

4-H Club ProgramChallengeComputer Wizards

4-H Club ProgramLearned life skills and lowered their risk for risky behaviors through their connections with 4-H club leaders. 70 4-H Clubs lead by 206 adult volunteers who worked with 842 youth

2002 Club Program GoalsExpand the number of youth by 5% to 885 members Target home school families June 2002 enrollment shows 10% growth to 924 members

ChallengeCollaborative program with Bellingham School District 61 trained volunteers worked with 1430 youth and parentsSafer schools and positive school climate Positive family communication and recognition of family strengths

2002 Challenge GoalsTrain 30 new volunteers and maintain our current level of supportConduct a series of Family Nights Out for families

Computer Wizards 2001Collaborated with the Whatcom Hispanic Organization to train 33 CW volunteers35 families, most ELL, gained access to and learned technology skills 70 Latino youth learned and developed computer and literacy skills at a migrant housing site

2002 Computer Wizard GoalsOpen two new community Computer Wizard sitesTrain 32 new CW volunteers400 hours of community service supplying technology education and support

2002 Computer WizardsNew Community Partners

Mercy HousingFerndale School DistrictNooksack School District Family Center

Grant SupportWHO – Whatcom Community FoundationWSU 4-H/Gates site

Internet delivery of programs & informationStrong commitment to web delivery of programsIntegrate web support of live programsAggressively market web effortsProvide web hosting to community issuesCo-market web sitesUtilize Webtrends to measure effects

WEB Promotion to EvaluationTo: "Salmon and Watershed Issues" <nwsalmon-water@lyris.cahe.wsu.edu>

If you missed the field day and your chance to observe the Reed Canary Grass Control plots, but are still interested in the results, check out this web site.

http://whatcom.wsu.edu/environ/rcg2002/

Craig

Visits

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WSU Whatcom WEB Usage Trend

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WSU County WEB Site Traffic May 2002

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WSU Whatcom WEB Familyhttp://whatcom.wsu.edu

http://whatcomshellfish.wsu.edu/

http://wria1project.wsu.edu/

http://lakewhatcom.wsu.edu/ http://whatcom-mrc.wsu.edu/