There’s a lot to know about owning and managing land. We’re all part of a watershed and our actions can affect others. The things that you and your neighbors do can greatly improve the health of the resources we all appreciate about Puget Sound. Below you’ll find links to publications and resources that may be of use. Check our Resources page for additional publications.
| Home Vegetable Gardening in Washington – (WSU Extension) Planting a vegetable garden can supply you, your family, and your community with an abundance of fresh, healthy vegetables throughout the season. When properly done, gardening can also beautify your landscape, protect water quality, and conserve natural resources. |
| Small Farm Composting Guide |
| DIY Wire Compost Bins – For composting food waste |
| DIY Three-Bin Compost System – For composting food or yard waste |
| Best Management Practices – This Better Ground publication reviews the 3 best management practices for livestock on your land |
| Pasture Management Calendar – This TCD publication discusses how to implement good pasture practices and a handy 12-month pasture management calendar |
| Managing Small Acreage Livestock Farms – This OSU publication covers information on all the considerations of setting up for property for success |
| Fencing Considerations for Livestock Owners – This WSU publication compares several different options of permanent and electric fencing for livestock |
| Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest – This OSU, WSU, AND UI extension publication is a huge handbook for understanding your all things grazing in our region |
| Five Tips for Spring Pastures – This Better Ground publication addresses grazing horses on pastures in the springtime in our region |
| Manure Management Guidance – This TCD publication discusses considerations for storing and applying livestock manure |
| How to Use & Compost Horse Manure – This TCD publication discusses how to compost and use livestock manure |
| Avian Health & Food Safety Facebook Page |
| FSA’s “Hay Net” – USDA’s Farm Service Agency created this online tool to aid farmers in locating hay and grazing acres. The site is both a resource for agricultural producers to list when they need hay or have hay available, and a resource to list a need for grazing acres or to list acres available for grazing. |
| Olympia Farmland Analysis – This report provides current estimates of agricultural land present within Olympia city boundaries and within Olympia’s Urban Growth Area (UGA). |
| Olympia Urban Agricultural Analysis – This report builds on the Olympia Farmland Analysis and explores the types of urban agricultural resources in Olympia and surrounding areas. In particular, it looks at the accessibility of these resources to city residents in relation to key socioeconomic metrics and investigates opportunities for expanding urban agriculture. |
| South Sound Farmlink Resources – Explore land transfer and successional planning resources |
| Small Farm Management Schedule – This publication is a handy 12-month management schedule for small farms |
| 2014 Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture Report – The U.S. Global Change Research Program has released the Third National Climate Assessment. According to the online report, climate disruptions to agriculture have increased. Many regions will experience declines in crop and livestock production from increased stress due to weeds, diseases, insect pests, and other climate-change-induced stresses. The link provided is very well done, user-friendly, and interactive. |
| Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities – A Guide to Federal Programs for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Entrepreneurship, Conservation, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| USDA National Organic Farming Handbook – The handbook describes organic systems and identifies key resources to guide conservation planning and implementation on organic farms. |
| USDA Program Fact Sheets – (Loan Programs, Financial Assistance Programs, Conservation Programs, etc.) |
| Preventative Controls for Human Foods Rule & Produce Safety Rule –Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) |
| Resources & Programs For Forest Landowners – If you’re a forest landowner in Washington State, there are many programs and resources to help you maintain a healthy forest on your property. |
| Stewarding Your Forest – Your woods are part of a network of over 22 million acres of an iconic range of ecosystems. Follow these tips to get to know your forest better. |
| Understanding Your Forest Real Estate – As a way to encourage sound forestry practices and conserve healthy, working forests in Washington State, many counties offer landowners the option to have their land designated as forests. Learn more! |
| Winter Forestry Fact Sheet – Get to know your forest in the winter and what’s important to consider during those months. |
| Forestry Stewardship Calendar – A helpful graphic that illustrates the seasonal tasks for forest management. |
| Forest Bee Pollinators – This publication explains the importance of wild bees in our forests. |
| Forestry Cost-share 101 – An informative webinar recording presented by Mason & Thurston CDs, NRCS, and WA-DNR Service Forestry team. Originally presented 10.02.24. |
