| Wasco SWCD staff offer live version of "rural living" handbook via Master Gardener program |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Tammy Tripp and Shilah Olson identify plants and insects.
|
City mouse, country mouse - Wasco SWCD staff offer live version of a “rural living” handbook through the Master Gardener program
Written by Weisha Mize of the Oregon Department of Agriculture
Wasco County’s population is growing. Much of this growth is a result of urbanization and an increase in the number of small acreage suburban farms. And with that growth come folks who want to plant a garden, many for the first time.
Ron Graves, Wasco SWCD manager, saw this growth as a perfect opportunity for the District to reach out to more of its constituents, to spread the word about the District and the Lower Deschutes Agricultural Water Quality Management Area plan, and to give some well-deserved recognition to District staff. “Wasco SWCD recognized that while our primary function is to help ensure that our agricultural and related natural resources are sustainable for future generations, we were missing the District’s urban and small acreage suburban population.” Ron adds, “In order to offer quality service to those folks without diverting the conservation planners away from their primary duties, it made sense to have the District’s administrative personnel qualify as Master Gardeners.”
Wasco SWCD’s annual tree sale had been its primary interface with urban folks. That is, until the Office Administrator, Tammy Tripp, got involved in OSU Extension’s Master Gardener Program in 2001. “I was already actively promoting the NRCS-sponsored Backyard Conservation Program. The Master Gardener program was just the thing to fill in my knowledge gaps and offer an opportunity to reach our urban and suburban homeowners, many of whom didn’t know what the SWCD was. Ron and I asked our Board, they approved, and I’ve been at it ever since!” says Tammy.
Tammy spends most of her time working with the Backyard Conservation outreach program through the District. She also edits the district’s award winning bi-monthly newsletter, GROUNDWORK, and authors a regular article called “The Garden Plot”. As a Master Gardener, she finds herself specializing in insect identification and problem solving. “Mistakes in my own garden have been very beneficial learning experiences!” Tammy laughs. “I leave the design and planning to Karen Lamson, a Wasco SWCD Conservation Technician / Planner with a degree in Landscape Design. Her knowledge of plants is extraordinary and she is able to offer practical, real-world advice.”
When Shilah Olson was hired as a technician/office assistant in 2005 she quickly completed the Master Gardener training and become qualified. Soil testing is becoming her Master Gardener specialty, a service the Master Gardeners provide for a nominal charge of $15 per soil sample, and she is enthusiastic about it. “Soil tests give you a baseline of the amounts of available nutrients in your soil, and what amendments are needed. Too much fertilizer can alter your pH, making it hard for plants to grow or uptake the proper amounts of nutrients.” Tammy comments that most of the garden soils the Master Gardeners have tested in the surrounding area tend to be highly alkaline, low on nitrogen, high in phosphorus and potassium, so most gardeners only need to add a pH-lowering nitrogen source. Adds Shilah, “Using the right amount of fertilizers saves money and minimizes runoff into surface or groundwater, which protects natural resources.”
The District sees the opportunity to work with its rural and urban communities through the Master Gardener program as a great way to expend the success of the Middle Deschutes Ag Water Quality Management Area Program in protecting water quality throughout the area. Like other SWCDs, Wasco’s mission is to promote conservation and the wise use of natural resources. While much of its land base is agricultural, urban and small acreage gardeners and farmers represent a considerable portion of the county’s population. And although, individually, each group is a small part of the equation, they all add up to a large potential impact on soil and water quality.
Tammy observes that land taken up by residences and businesses “represents a significant source of pollution from improperly applied pesticides and herbicides. All those roofs, lawns, sidewalks, driveways, and gardens are pollution pathways, most of them destined for a waterway near you. Plus, the amount of wildlife habitat that has disappeared with each new development is staggering. Through Master Gardener education and Backyard Conservation program, we can garner awareness of the environment of which we are all a part, introduce alternative landscape practices, identify beneficial insects, plant for pollinators and wildlife, and reduce water use through proper irrigation and xeriscaping with native plants and grasses.” Then there’s the whole world of edible landscaping to cut food costs and produce sustainable, marketable products. “All it takes is sweat equity, a determination to make a difference, and, of course, a bit of cash,” Tammy adds.
Shilah’s message to urban and small acreage gardeners and farms is simple – everyone makes a difference. “Even if you only have a few acres, your management practices have an impact, beneficial or otherwise. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, that’s why Master Gardeners are here!” Tammy adds, “Aim for a balanced and healthy ecosystem. Keep the soil healthy, eliminate tillage where possible, feed your soil with compost. Healthy soil produces healthy plants and just like the human body, a healthy environment is self-correcting.”
In addition to its work through the Master Gardener program, Wasco SWCD has hosted a number of small acreage/homeowner type workshops: Backyard Conservation, horsekeeping (assisted by ODA and OSU Extension), Backyards Woods and Forestry, and most recently, an "Edible Landscape" workshop. A “Water Conservation through Xeriscaping” workshop is scheduled for this year.
One thing Wasco SWCD has done to encourage certification is to offer $50/month Proficiency Pay to each employee who maintains certification as a NRCS conservation planner or master gardener. For other Districts looking to extend their outreach, “I'd encourage any district with limited technical capacity to get involved with the Master Gardener Program,” Ron suggests. Shilah is quick to add that “urban and small acreage landowners are fun to work with because they offer a different perspective. We learn a lot of new things by working with these landowners.” Tammy notes that success comes with focusing on issues pertinent to your clientele, simplifying the message, and keeping things practical. “Offer a range of solutions, starting with the basics and ending with possibilities.”
Wasco SWCD can be reached by calling 541-296-6178, extension 3, or e-mailing them at wasco.swcd@oacd.org. Tammy’s extension is 101. Shilah can be contacted at extension 105.
|
|
| |
|
|
