Welcome to the Regional Small Farms Online Learning Library. Our team strives to post as much applicable content for our region as possible. If you are looking for specific online or webinar resources please reach out to your local extension agent.
Scroll through our online tools by headings or click table of contents below to jump to a specific section:
Season Planning & Seed Starting
WSU Regional Small Farms is joined by Marko Colby, co-owner of Midori Farm in Quilcene, WA. He shares their strategies around planning and starting seeds for year-long production.
PowerPoint slides: WSUcropplanng_MidoriFarm
Additional resources:
NC State Extension Farm Planning & Record Keeping
Midori Farm – crop plan blank template
Sweetpotato Cultivation
Laurel Mouton, Regional Small Farms IPM specialist, shares methods of producing sweetpotato cuttings, planting, pest management and more.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Western SARE under project number SW23-951.
Propagating and Growing Sweetpotatoes in the Pacific Northwest
View Powerpoint presentation slide deck here. Shrijana Shrestha, graduate student at the WSU Mount Vernon Research Center, will share methods of producing sweetpotato cuttings from storage roots for planting in the late spring, and provide growing tips.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Western SARE under project number SW23-951.
Dirt Talk – Intro to Biochar
This Dirt Talk was a panel of farmers and biochar makers that showcased various farms creating and using biochar. Topics included: -What is biochar -How it is used and benefits -Overview of process -Equipment needed
How to Collect Soil Samples
A how to on obtaining soil samples for soil testing.
Reduce Tillage in Vegetable Production
Video from WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources on Reduced Tillage in Vegetable Production, resources and practices.
WSU Organic No-Till Symposium
Please note that you must register to receive access to the Organic No-Till Symposium webinar recordings.
Part I – Organic No-Till Systems, Livestock
Integration, and Novel Cover Crop Planting
Part II – Tarping in Organic No-Till Systems & Pacific NW Tarping/Occulation Strategies
WSU Compost Outreach Project Videos
L&I Farm Internship Program
Join Christina Rodriguez, L&I Agricultural Employment Specialist & Cesar Sanchez, Farm Internship Program Coordinator for L&I Washington. They provide updates about the L&I Farm Internship how farmers can connect and take part in that program.
NRCS Opportunities & Programs for Farmers
Sean McDonagh and Frank Curtin, Resource Conservationists with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service join us with a focus on how NRCS programs & funding that can help Farmers and Forestland owners install voluntary conservation practices.
Insuring Your Farm
Presentation on insuring your farm and business with Paul Heely of Country Financial.
Labor Laws
Presentation on Labor Laws presented by Melissa Crumb of WA L&I. Covers liability questions for farmers including: – are you an employer? – independent contractor? – farm labor contractor, – and controlling costs.
USDA Grants Webinar
A moderated info-session and discussion about upcoming USDA Grant Program applications and how each program may work for your farm. Topic include: -Value Added Producer Grant, -Rural Energy for America Program, -Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement
Agricultural Leases 101
Discussion on agricultural leases and what farmers should know. Guest speakers Mark Bowman of the NODC and Denis Sterns a local Jefferson County Attorney.
Resource list for Agricultural Leases 101 webinar.
Summary of lease topics.
Preparing for a Farm Loan
Topics covered include: – preparing to work with a lender, – Information lenders look for, -Property issues lenders see when trying to finance land, -How to use resources of Farm Service Agency and Craft3.
Resource list for Preparing for a Farm Loan Webinar
Setting Your Farm Up for Hiring Employees
Topics covered: -Payroll services, – Challenges finding consistent labor, – Find labor locally/regionally/nationally, -Use your labor efficiently, -Hear from a local farmer about farm labor successes and challenges
Employment Insurance:
Topics Covered: -Insurance requirements of covering employees farm, -Owned or lease land: how do properties need to be covered?, -Risk activities: employees using equipment, driving farm vehicles and other activities to consider, -Hear from knowledgeable farm insurance agents
Costs of Farm Labor
Topics covered: -Federal & state tax requirements for hiring labor, – Setting up new payroll services on your farm, – The costs of providing benefits for your employees, -WA (L&I) labor law requirements, -Hear from a knowledgeable accountant and WA L&I staff
Using Social Media to Grow Your Farm Business
This NCAT/ATTRA webinar discusses how you can use social media for your farm business to grow your customer base and market your products.
E-Commerce Marketing Strategies for Farm and Food Businesses
Join Susan Shoemaker, Business Assistance Specialist with North Olympic Development Council, share her thoughts on several topics: -Optimization of website, -Practical tips on using social media, -Development and linking of websites and e-commerce platforms, –Thoughts on setting up a website and e-commerce platform if starting from scratch.
E-Commerce Marketing Strategies for Farm and Food Businesses Resource List
Dirt Talk: Social Media Basics for Small Farms
WSU Regional Small Farms is joined by Social Media & Digital Strategy Specialist, Abbey Loos. She gives an overview of the basic social media platforms, how to best utilize them for your farm business and has an open discussion with questions from our farmer audience.
Weather Stations Webinar: A Tool for Farmers
This introductory webinar showcases WSU AgWeatherNet, a free online tool that provides access to current and historical weather data to help Washington growers and citizens understand and prepare for the challenges and changes that weather brings.
Dirt Talk – Flea Beetles
WSU Regional Small Farms is joined by local farmers in our latest online Dirt Talk event to learn all about Flea Beetles! Discussion includes identification, management and resources for flea beetles on your small farm.
Dirt Talk – Cut worms, Cabbage maggot, Carrot rust fly
Join Laurel Moulton, WSU Regional Small Farms Pest Specialist, and Betsey Wittick, owner of Laughing Crow Farm and farmer/viticulturist at Bainbridge Vineyards in a discussion on Cut Worms, Cabbage Maggot and Carrot Rust Fly.
Dirt Talk – Wireworms: Lifecycle and Integrated Management Strategies
Join Dr. Brook Brouwer, director of Washington State University Extension in San Juan County, and Laurel Moulton, IPM Specialist for a discussions around Wireworms.
Dirt Talk – Clubroot
Join Betsey Wittick, owner of Laughing Crow Farm and farmer/viticulturist at Bainbridge Vineyards in a discussion of helpful identification and management information on Clubroot.
Dirt TalkIPM Clubroot_Resource Sheet
Dirt Talk – Downy Mildew
Join Scott Chichester, owner of Chi’s Farm in Sequim, sharing helpful identification and management information for farmers in our region on Downy Mildew. Focus on basil and spinach in a greenhouse/high tunnel situation.
Diagnosing Tomato Problems
“Tips for Diagnosing Tomato Plant Problems” presented by WSU Extension Diagnostician, Jenny Glass. This resource is applicable to farmers as well as gardeners.
Tomato Resources Sheet
Dirt Talk: Slugs & Snails
Rory Mc Donnell, OSU Extension gastropod specialist shares all about Slugs and Snails and how to control them on your small farm. Topics include: Background info on slugs and snails, Main pest species on west coast & how to identify, Control methods, Development of new tools (Novel attractants such as bread dough & Biological control using nematodes)
Dirt Talk Slugs and Snails – Resource List
From Pig to Porkchop
How much meat to expect from a butchered hog.
Supporting document for video with a description of live animal and carcass data
Join Dan McCarty, our WSU Regional Small Farms Livestock Specialist, in a discussion around Winter nutrition and feeding needs. Dan gives a basic overview of the dietary needs of livestock, common strategies for winter feeding, and then answer questions from the audience.
5 Tips for Winter Feeding Livestock presentation slides – pdf
OSU Cowculator v2.0 Beef Cow Nutrition Evaluation Software
WSU Regional Small Farms is joined by agritourism specialist, Trevor Lane, sharing his knowledge and expertise working with farmers looking to implement agritourism as part of their farm business. Topics include a general overview of: The current state of agritourism in Washington, economic impacts and common barriers for farmers, Risk & Liability, Biosecurity, and Resources for farmers
Dirt Talk Agritourism – Resource List