Join Thurston Conservation District for a three-event two-day celebration of what’s possible when we’re United in Conservation.
Join Thurston Conservation District for United in Conservation, a two-day celebration featuring three unique events that bring our community together around local food, conservation, and resilience. Explore climate-smart agriculture at our Friday conference, enjoy family fun at Saturday’s free Harvest Festival, and cap off the weekend with an elegant Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner supporting our future Education & Conservation Center. Come learn, connect, celebrate, and help grow a more resilient future for our community
Friday, October 2nd, 2026 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Lacey Community Center, Lacey WA
This day-long conference will explore how local agriculture can adapt and build resilience in the face of a changing climate. The event combines classroom presentations with practical, field-based learning for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, local leaders, policy makers, and anyone interested in local food systems, conservation, and climate adaptation.
Willie Frank III (Qua-Lash-Qud) is a respected leader of the Nisqually Indian Tribe and a lifelong advocate for treaty rights, salmon recovery, and environmental stewardship. Raised at Frank’s Landing along the Nisqually River, Willie grew up immersed in the history of the Tribal fishing rights movement and the enduring responsibility to protect the region’s natural resources for future generations.
A graduate of The Evergreen State College with a degree in Native American Studies, Willie served for 15 years on the Nisqually Indian Tribal Council, including as Councilmember, Vice Chairman, and Chairman. Throughout his leadership, he championed the protection of Tribal sovereignty, cultural heritage, and the health of the lands and waters that sustain the Nisqually people.
Today, Willie continues to share the lessons of his family’s legacy while forging his own path as an educator, conservation advocate, and community leader. Alongside his wife, Peggen, he works with schools and organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest to educate students about salmon, Native culture, treaty rights, and the importance of caring for the environment.
Drawing on personal experience, history, and a deep connection to place, Willie inspires audiences to recognize the power of stewardship, resilience, and partnership in building a more sustainable future for all.
- Breakout Session 1:
- Habitat Conservation: Assisted Migration of Wildlife and the Nexus with Farmland Preservation
- Farmer Support: Conservation Grazing Internationally
- Agricultural Innovations: Wool Mulch and Plastics Reduction
- Breakout Session 2:
- Habitat Conservation: Managing Forests for Bat and Wildlife Habitat
- Farmer Support: Farmer Mental Health and Climate Impacts
- Agricultural Innovations: Utilizing Dry Farming Practices in an Uncertain Climate
Field-sessions (Each ticket holder will be asked to select one afternoon field session – space is limited). Attendees will transport themselves to the field session. Limited transportation assistance available.
- Flower Farming in all Seasons, Centralia, WA: Learn from local flower farmer and florist, Betsy Levy about her flower farming production methods, including how they grow flowers and generate income throughout the year. Gain hands-on knowledge of heirloom chrysanthemum production, drying flowers for year-round sales, and growing flowers in a high tunnel to extend the growing season.
- Biochar & Alternative Forest Products, Lacey, WA: Join this field session to learn how biochar, agroforestry, and alternative forest products can enhance the health, productivity, and resilience of working lands. Hear from forester Margret Kreeder, Mason Conservation District, and land managers Mark and Kim Connor about practical applications of biochar, integrating trees into agricultural systems, and opportunities to diversify farm and forest income through alternative forest products. Participants will gain insights into these innovative land management practices and the ecological and economic benefits they provide.
- Farmer Support: Farmland Preservation in Action, Tumwater, WA: Visit Little Big Farm to learn about successful farm succession planning. Hear from farmers who initially leased land through TCD’s South Sound FarmLink program and later negotiated the purchase of the farmland they now own and actively farm. They will share how this succession planning model created a pathway to land ownership, supported the long-term viability of their farm, and helped preserve productive farmland while continuing to provide fresh, locally grown food for the community.
- Ag Innovations: Demonstration of Electric Farm Equipment with E-Farms, Tumwater, WA: Get all your electric farm equipment questions answered with representatives from the non-profit, E-Farms. The E-Farms program tests electric farming equipment, compares it to traditional combustion models, and works to reduce barriers to electrifying working lands. Learn about their lending program that includes electric tractors, pickup trucks, UTVs, and more.
- Hedgerows for Healthy Farms, Tumwater, WA: Join this field session to learn how hedgerows can enhance the productivity, resilience, and ecological value of working lands. Hosted at Summit Farms, this session will include the opportunity to hear from conservation professionals and the landowners about designing, establishing, and managing native hedgerows to provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and support overall farm health. Participants will gain practical hands-on experience planting a hedgerow (tools provided), and gain insights into how hedgerows can be integrated into agricultural operations to benefit both the landscape and farm productivity.
- Farming with ESA Listed Species, Tumwater, WA: This session is designed for farmers and landowners who have or may have endangered species on their property and want to balance agricultural production with wildlife conservation. Participants will learn from nonregulatory staff with the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program and local conservation grazer Jake Yancey, Tracking Y Ranch, about practical strategies for farming alongside species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Oregon spotted frog. Topics will include conservation grazing practices that support endangered species, creating and maintaining habitat while keeping land in agricultural production, farm management approaches that benefit both agricultural operations and these important species, clarity around regulations and allowable practices, and examples of integrating conservation into working lands. The session focuses on real-world, nonregulatory approaches that help farmers protect sensitive species while maintaining productive farms.
- Growing resilience in Community Gardens, Olympia, WA: TBD.
Lunch and Resource Fair featuring 15+ local organizations and service providers. Local food trucks will be parked at the Community Center, and other lunch offerings are close by!
When purchasing a ticket you’ll see an option to add a donation for our Saturday scholarship fund. Please consider adding to our fund to make a limited number of need-based tickets available to our community members. If you’d like to be added to the waitlist for need-based tickets, please fill out this form. When our funding goal has been reached we’ll share a promo code for free or reduced price ticket with those who’ve shared their info. If you’re interested in volunteering, there are Saturday volunteer tickets available at a reduced cost.
Questions? Contact nwhite@thurstoncd.com
Mitch is an accomplished agricultural entrepreneur, speaker, author, and business leader whose latest chapter has become one of his most inspiring. Alongside his wife, Michelle, he embraced a bold new adventure by becoming a late-in-life commercial farmer, transforming a lifelong passion for purpose into a thriving agricultural and hospitality enterprise.
As self-described “newbie” farmers, Mitch and Michelle have built their farm from the ground up, gaining recognition for their commitment to sustainable agriculture, agritourism, and creating meaningful experiences that connect people with the land. Their journey demonstrates that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, pursue a new dream, and make a lasting impact in your community.
In a remarkable case of life imitating art, their farming venture mirrors the story Mitch told in his children’s book, Billy the Baaad Goat in The Big Yellow Rocket Ship, about a couple who leave city life during the pandemic to purchase a farm with a big red barn. Today, they are living that story, welcoming visitors, growing their agricultural enterprise, and inspiring others to embrace new opportunities with courage, curiosity, and purpose.
Thurston Conservation District’s Community Awards Program recognizes outstanding community members, partners, and volunteers whose commitment to conservation and stewardship strengthens our region. We are proud to honor individuals and organizations who exemplify responsible land stewardship, inspire others to embrace conservation values, and help tell the story of voluntary conservation through their partnership with Thurston Conservation District. Please join us as we celebrate the 2026 Community Award recipients and express our sincere gratitude for their dedication, leadership, and lasting contributions to the health and sustainability of our community.
Dinner will feature beef brisket generously donated by Colvin Ranch, accompanied by a delicious vegan entrée and seasonal side dishes sourced from local farms. Guests will also enjoy locally produced wine and beer, showcasing the best of our region’s agricultural community. Additional menu details will be announced soon.
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Summit Farms, Tumwater, WA
Join Thurston Conservation District for a Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner at the beautiful Summit Farms, a charming 28-acre regenerative farm and community gathering place. Enjoy an evening of great food, live entertainment, and community as we raise funds for our future Education & Conservation Center.
Dinner will feature locally sourced ingredients, including beef generously donated by Colvin Ranch, along with wines, and beverages from local wineries.
The evening will include live music by Five Mile Drive, followed by a keynote from Mitch Lewis, owner and operator of Summit Farms. Mitch is an acclaimed speaker, author, business leader, and world-renowned athlete whose latest adventure has taken him and his wife, Michelle, into regenerative farming and agritourism at Summit Farms.
We’ll also celebrate our 2026 Community Awardees, recognizing individuals and organizations making a lasting impact in conservation and our community. Put on your Farmer Fancy attire and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating local food, conservation, and community.
Friday, October 3rd, 2026 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
South Union Grange, Tumwater, WA
Join Thurston Conservation District and the South Union Grange for the Harvest Festival!
Celebrate the changing seasons, the bounty of the harvest, and the spirit of community at this free, family-friendly event. Enjoy a fun-filled day with activities for all ages as we come together to honor local agriculture, conservation, and the people who make our community thrive.
Time to practice your pie-baking skills! Contestants are invited to compete in the annual TCD Harvest Fest Pie Contest. Entries must be submitted by 11am, Oct. 3rd at the TCD Harvest Festival located at the South Union Grange Hall. Judging will occur at noon followed by award announcements. Categories include:
Fruit pies (two-crust or one)
Custard & nut pies
Savory pies
Youth entries (14 and under)
Allergy-free pies (i.e. gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, etc.)
Contestants must include a copy of their recipe.
Another fun component of our Harvest Festival will be the opportunity for community members to bring their apples to press into cider. We will have a kid-friendly press and all the sanitation and preparatory materials for you to use throughout the day. Please bring clean and sanitized bottles for filling or purchase TCD custom half-gallon growlers on site.
Stay tuned… Preforming musicians will be announced soon!
If you placed a pre-order at our Native Bulb & Seed Sale your order will be available to pick up at the Harvest Festival! Pre-orders are currently open through September 15th
Please keep in mind that our Native Bulb & Seed sale is pre-order only. Bulbs and seeds will not be available to purchase at the Harvest Festival.
- Soil test drop-off & information booth – Bring your soil sample!
- Knife and tool sharpening vendor
- Workshops throughout the day
- Kids arts & craft activities
- Food vendors!
- Live music!
- Information booths
- Workshops