Learn about managing pastures, paddocks at free workshops in Preston-Fall City area

Sound management of livestock areas can save money, help the environment

Get practical and affordable tips for managing horse and livestock property to reduce mud, manage manure and improve pastures at a series of three, free workshops in east King County.

The workshops will be led by Alayne Blickle from the group Horses for Clean Water, a program that promotes environmentally sensitive horse-keeping by offering education on manure management, mud reduction, pasture improvements, and eco-friendly horse facilities.

While led by an accomplished horsewoman, these workshops aren’t intended for just horse owners. Anyone who owns cows, sheep, llamas, alpacas, goats or other livestock will gain important knowledge on how to reduce runoff of pollutants such as nutrients, bacteria, sediments and chemicals.

The workshops are:

• Tuesday, Feb. 2 – “Mud, Runoff, Paddocks and Horse Health: Finding a Better Way to Manage Horses,” at the Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42nd Pl;
• Tuesday, Feb. 9 – “Black Gold: Great Ideas for Managing Manure,” 6:30-8:45 p.m. Fall City Library 33415 SE 42nd Pl.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 – “Managing small acreage pastures and horse health,” at the Fall City Roadhouse, 4200 Preston Fall City Rd. SE, Fall City. A full no-host food and beverage service is available at this location.

Each workshop runs from 6:30-8:45 p.m., and all are free and open to the public. For more information or to register, contact Greg Rabourn at Greg.Rabourn@kingcounty.gov, or 206-296-1923.

Workshop participants will learn that their pastures don’t necessarily have to be muddy in wintertime, and that sound management of pastures and paddocks can actually lead to lower bills for feed and veterinarian services.

The sponsors of this workshop series is Stewardship in Action, a partnership consisting of residents from the Preston-Fall City between many different non-profits, government agencies and residents in the Preston – Fall City area. The group is working together to help rural landowners overcome the challenges of caring for their land in the Raging River and Patterson Creek watersheds.

Related information

King County Water and Land Resources