WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter

Explore Your Farm Dreams

Interested in starting a small farm? Wonder what it would take, and if you’re ready? Whether you’re in the planning stages or have just begun, this 3hr self-paced online class is designed to help you explore the development of a small farm enterprise and create a plan of action for achieving your small farm goals.
Spanish course available this fall! ¡Curso de español disponible este otoño!

• Online Self-paced Course Launch: August 17th, 2026
• Live Course Date: Zoom Farmer Panel August 17th 6-7pm PDT
• Cost: $15

Course Topics

• Washington Small Farms Overview
• What is Sustainable Agriculture?
• Personal Inventory and Resource Review
• Farmer Panel: Surviving the First Years
• Enterprise Exploration & Action Planning
• Resources & Upcoming Opportunities

Whole Farm Planning

Cultivating Success™: Whole Farm Planning will walk you through a step-by-step process, to help you prepare a well thought out plan for your land, life, and farm business. Learn how to use a whole system lens to create a living plan for your small farm future. Classes will meet weekly through Zoom, in an online classroom environment and you will be able to connect with a statewide community of other aspiring farm planners. Leave with tools for decision making and a road map to plan for your farming endeavors. Includes many opportunities for networking and community building in smaller breakout groups too!

• Course dates: Mondays 6-8 p.m., Sept. 21^st – Nov. 2nd, 2026
• Online course classroom through Zoom with regional in person opportunities
• Cost: $200 per farm (up to 3 participants)
• Spanish interpretation provided
• Scholarships are available for anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier

Course Topics

• Washington Small Farms Overview
• What is Sustainable Agriculture?
• Personal Inventory and Resource Review
• Farmer Panel: Surviving the First Years
• Enterprise Exploration & Action Planning
• Resources & Upcoming Opportunities

Online Coached Planning – Forest Stewardship Shortcourse

Your Forest, Your Vision:
Creating A Forest Management Plan for Your Objectives

Whether you’re a long-time forest owner or just taking the first steps to managing your forest, this 9-week program is dedicated to giving you the knowledge and expertise needed to craft your own forest management plan. From goals focused on timber production and harvest to aesthetics and wildlife, we will help you turn your vision into a detailed, action-oriented roadmap for managing your woods. More details: Eastern WA Online Coached Planning – Forest Stewardship

• Dates: Wednesdays, Sept 23rd through Nov 18th (via Zoom)
• Time: 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
• All-Day, In-Person Field Day: one in-person field trip will be hosted at one of the participants’ properties (TBD) located in Eastern Washington.
• Where: This course is available via Zoom meeting room, except for one in-person field trip that will be hosted at one of the participants’ properties (May 23, 2026) located in Eastern Washington.
• Cost:  $162 (limited to 30 families)

What You Can Expect to Learn:

Over the span of 9 weeks this course will tackle a wide range of management goals that a forest landowner may have.

• Learn how to properly ID and age the tree species in your forest.
• Learn about diagnosing pests and diseases that may pose harm to your trees.
• Understand the soils and water dynamics in your woods.
• Know when to plant vs. when to remove trees, where to get seeds…
• Learn how to enhance, promote and create habitat for wildlife.
• Understand what to do if you discover historical or cultural resources on your property.
• Get to know forestry professionals and how to engage when preparing for a timber harvest.
• Learn to maintain roads and trails.
• Understand how to map your woods using online resources.
• Create a forest management plan.