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 two, free workshops in east King County.

On Monday, Oct. 4, Alayne Blickle from the group Horses for Clean Water, will offer free tips and ideas for how to prepare horse and livestock properties for winter. The workshop runs from 6:30-8:45 p.m. at the Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42^nd Pl., Fall City.

While led by an accomplished horsewoman, this workshop isn’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. To learn more about Blickle’s work, visit www.horsesforcleanwater.com.

The second workshop, set for Oct. 14, will feature popular local gardening expert Marianne Binetti for a talk about how to use livestock manure to create a healthy garden.

Animal manure is a fantastic soil amendment that can bring a garden to life. Binetti’s incredible gardens, near the base of Pinnacle Peak on the Enumclaw Plateau, are a testament to the benefits of using this environmentally friendly and inexpensive product to grown fantastic veggies and vibrant flowers. To learn more about Binetti’s gardening philosophy, visit www.binettigarden.com.

The Oct. 14 workshop is set for 7-8 p.m. in the library of Chief Kanim Middle School, 32627 SE Fall City-Redmond Rd., Fall City.

For more information on these two, free workshops, or to register for one or both, contact Greg Rabourn, 206-296-1293; or greg.rabourn@kingcounty.gov.

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. Information is available at www.prkc.org.

Related information:

Patterson Creek & Raging River stewardship - http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/watersheds/snoqualmie-skykomish/raging-patterson-stewardship.aspx

Snoqualmie – Skykomish Watershed - http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/watersheds/snoqualmie-skykomish.aspx

Agriculture in King County, Washington http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/agriculture.aspx

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