RCD: Feb. 2012

On Friday, February 22, 2012, Love Creek Farm welcomed a group of Ecologists and Conservationists from Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) throughout California and Washington State.

These visitors were invited by Ecology Action and the Santa Cruz and Monterey RCDs for the Livestock and Land training program. A video “Livestock and Land Promotion Video” was made as a training tool for other RCD Conservationists to learn how to work with homeowners living in their particular states and counties. Training goals are to identify water quality, mud, and drainage issues on livestock property. And, to successfully work with homeowners to take their ideas and suggestions into consideration when developing a site plan.

Love Creek Farm was invited to serve as a site training location by Nick Sudano, Senior Program Specialist with Ecology Action and Angie Gruys, Livestock Program Manager, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, Livestock and Land Program. Because the farm has been working with these agencies to develop a Compost Bunker and Drainage Swale, they are aware of our water management issues.

Program Manager and Trainer, Suzanne, from the Monterey RCD inspected the mud issue inside the animal corral. She poked through the mud with a metal flag to determine water depth. She found an underground spring in the area. One of her suggestions was to completely move the animals feeding and stall areas to the other side of the mud zone to keep the animals from continually turning up the soil. We opted for changing the fence line to keep the animals away from the heritage apple tree.  Please read Corral Mud Mitigation to learn more.

Thanks for a great, informative visit where we got the opportunity to meet new friends and participate in a program we support and value!