CLASS NAME

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Get tips on how to set up your books and records and how to choose the right business legal entity.

Instructors: Paul Neumiller, Attorney; Walter A. Carlson, Accountant, Livestock Advisor

What small-acreage landowners need to know to kiss mud and manure problems good-bye. Learn BMPs for effective rainwater diversion, waste storage & nutrient management for improved chore efficiency and land stewardship.

Instructor: Eric Schuh, Whidbey Island Conservation District

Explore the merits of raising Nubian dairy goats and Boer meat goats as pets or for production. Learn about their basic care, special needs, and delicious products. Live animals on hand.

Instructors: Ron & Arline Stone, Stonebrier Farm

Horse owners get to see basic massage and stretching techniques performed on Mac, a very willing volunteer. Get book recommendations and insight on what to look for in a professional therapist.

Instructor: Sherri Spoltman, LMP, LAMP

Did you know the best grass farmers produce the best grazing animals for the least cost? Learn about management and renovation techniques, forage species selection, and good grazing principles.

Instructor: Deb Eidsness, Livestock Advisor

Rainwater Collection The first of 2 classes, you’ll find out how to turn rainwater runoff into a household resource. Topics include calculating annual & monthly rainfall, catchment areas, storage methods, collecting set-ups and sources for cisterns & rain barrels large or small. This is a water conservation series you shouldn’t miss.

Instructor: Duke LeBaron, Norabel Farm

A malfunctioning septic stinks in more ways than one. Keep your septic system from menacing your property, pocketbook and environment. Includes updates on new county rules affecting system inspections.

Instructor: Kathleen Parvin, Island County Health Dept

Ground water, it’s an essential resource for island living. Grab a hold of important ground water concepts such as aquifer formation, recharge, contamination, and seawater intrusion. Understand more about how population growth and water availability determine water regulations.

Instructor: Doug Kelly, Island County Health Dept

Building the Small Farm Business

Create or expand your agri-business through value-added products, agri-tourism, and other services. Learn what’s involved in planning such as regulations in research, products & advertising outlets, risk management, and ideas for maximizing success.

Instructor: Sera Hartman, NW Agriculture Business Center

Market Pigs

Swine are sweet! Raising pigs is an easy and rewarding project. Country sausage and smoked ham could be the fruits of your labor.

Instructor: David Ridle, Livestock Advisor

So well received at Fair University, we’re teaching it again! Explore great ways to incorporate chickens into your yard or garden with chicken tractors, day pens, and more.

Instructor: Joanie Crowther, Hastie Lake Farms

Soil is the foundation for everything else we do on our land. It can determine the success or failure of our project. Get a peek into the biology, nutrition, and interactions of local soils and how to maintain balance for optimum soil health.

Instructor: Bill Swanson

This continuation of Cisternology 101 emphasizes opportunities for using collected rainwater and important limitations, including health concerns. Get the essentials on filtering and purifying your rainwater.

Instructor: Duke LeBaron

This class builds from Session One’s Small Farm Planner and is more technically oriented. Learn exactly what’s needed to build a sacrifice area, nutrient storage areas, and how to test your own soil.

Instructor: Eric Schuh, Whidbey Island Conservation District

Discover the joys of spinning with this introductory class. Live demonstration brings fibers from different animals (and other materials) to your fingertips. A great way to be inspired for your next crafting project.

Instructor: Lois Fisher, Camelot Downs

Alpacas Beyond Cute This class will touch on the basics of the ever growing alpaca industry; from the breeding of the animals, through the end uses of the fiber, the tax advantages of ownership and the lifestyle that goes along with daily interaction with these fabulous creatures.

Instructor: Dina Blackstone & Tracy Quinten, Island Bliss Alpacas

CLASS NAME

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

You’ve made the decision to start your farming venture. Now how are you going to make it profitable? Get introduced to the 10-step NxLevel process for a successful agricultural enterprise.

Instructor: Carol Osterman, Akyla Farms

It’s everything you need to know to set up a horse facility on your property. Learn how to accommodate your horse’s needs to be happy and healthy while making best use of your property.

Instructor: Sherri Spoltman

Long-term US trends in breeding livestock for rapid growth and early market weight have led to a significant loss of many original gene pools. Learn what America’s heritage breeds are through displays and discussion.

Instructor: Gary Fisher, Camelot Downs, Livestock Advisor

President of the Skagit Valley Beekeepers and a bee enthusiast for nearly 50 years, Bill will take away the sting from getting started with honey bees. Learn equipment and basic techniques around his live hive.

Instructor: Bill Markus

Berries…summer’s delight! Reap the rewards of growing strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and some lesser knowns. Find out which varieties grow well locally and best practices to meet any challenge.

Instructor: Bill Swanson

Protect next spring’s precious buds - get prepped and ready for whatever winter weather brings. You’ll also get the chance to understand more about the special needs and uses of your particular fruit tree variety. Special emphasis on apples. Bring your apples for identification.

Instructor: Mary Leonard, Island Tree Ranch

What happened when Little Miss Muffett grew tired of eating her curds and whey? She learned to make cheese! Instructors will discuss cultures, rennet and a clean break with examples of each step of the process.

Instructors: Anne Mauk, Full Moon Rising Farm; Vicky Brown, The Little Brown Farm

Go beyond wheat and rice in this insightful class on the world’s major grains. Learn culinary uses and storage for each type as well as choices for people with gluten allergies. Home milling will also be discussed.

Instructor: Larry Godsey

CLASS NAME

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Environmental Regulations & How They Affect You

Get the latest updates regarding environmental regulations and your agricultural activities. This discussion will present a cross-zone comparison of regulations to help you understand which apply to you and which don’t.

Instructor: Jeff Tate, Island County Planning Dept

Whether you garden as a commercial enterprise or just grow food crops for family and friends, this is a class not to miss. We will cover crops such as vegetables, salad greens, small fruits, herbs and flowers, and discuss fencing, raised beds, irrigation and season extenders.

Instructor: Pam Mitchell, Pam’s Place Produce

Good farm stewardship starts with an awareness of your field or forest as well as sensitive wetland areas in and around them. This class will cover natural and organic methods of managing livestock, plants, weeds, mud, and recycling/composting.

Instructor: Gary Fisher

No tuxedos here! It’s about what to do with the birds you’ve just raised. Find out how to gauge how tough your birds are and how to keep processing them a manageable task. Most importantly, learn to process for a good quality product for your table or for sale.

Instructors: Carol Osterman; Anne Wilson

Rats and mice can destroy crops, livestock and even your home! Learn about these common pests and how to prevent infestations or, if you already have a problem, how to deal with it in a safe and effective manner using chemical and non-chemical controls.

Instructor: Dave Pehling, WSU Extension

Thinning can improve the health of your backyard forest. Learn how to tell if your property needs it, how-to’s, and about managing blow-downs. This class includes a walk in the woods, so be prepared to carpool and dress appropriately.

Instructors: Kevin Zobrist & Don Hanley, WSU Extension

Come and learn how to build a proper, safe, strong fence by using the techniques for corner braces, setting posts, and hanging gates that withstand time!

Instructor: Mike Maggetti

Got apples? Got pears? Don’t let the deer eat them all, make cider instead! Newer rootstocks are precocious, producing abundant apples in just a few years. Get the basics on both sweet and hard cider making: fruit varieties, hygiene, equipment, fermentation, bottling, and aging.

Instructor: Doug Hofius, Livestock Advisor