WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter

January 2025

Latest news, projects, workshops, free resources, and more. Keep Reading!

WSU Extension Logo
Winter landscape with snowy trees around a small pond

In This Issue

Agriculture Events

  • Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning class starts Jan 21st
  • Livestock in the Woods event at Vetter Farm:  Feb 22nd

Master Gardener News

  • NEW!  Weekly “Perennial Wisdom” column in the Statesman Examiner

4-H Happenings

  • 4-H Enrollment Deadline coming up!

Resources and January Calendar

Master Gardener News

Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program flower logo

Extension Master Gardener Presentations at the Libraries of Stevens County

Libraries of Stevens County logo.

Starting in February, the Master Gardeners will be presenting a different class each month and traveling to ALL the libraries in the county.  Check the LOSC Library website for these and other offerings!

Beginning Beekeeping

Presenter: Suzi Sauvola

Learn how to get started with honeybees for the first year of beekeeping (using hives): what you need, the kind of bees that are known to thrive in our area, where to find them, and important things to know.

  • Feb 12th @ 6:00 p.m. – Colville Library
  • Feb 13th @ 2:00 p.m. – Chewelah Library
  • Feb 18th @ 2:00 p.m. – Loon Lake Library
  • Feb 20th @ 1:00 p.m. – Kettle Falls Library
  • Feb 25th @2:00 p.m. – Northport Library
  • Feb 27th @ 2:00 p.m. – Lakeside Library (Nine Mile Falls)
  • Feb 28th @ 1:00 p.m. – Hunters Library

Milk Jug Greenhouses

Presenter: Elisabeth Sitts

Milk jug gardening is the perfect way to kickstart your garden! It’s a cost-effective way to grow strong seedlings, making it easier to monitor their progress and plant them when they’re ready. Learn how to get started with experts from WSU Extension!

  • Mar 3rd @ 3:00 p.m. – Kettle Falls Library
  • Mar 4th @ 4:00 p.m. – Colville Library
  • Mar 6th @ 3:30 p.m. – Northport Library
  • Mar 7th @ 3:30 p.m. – Hunters Library
  • Mar 10th @4:00 p.m. – Loon Lake Library
  • Mar 11th @ 4:00 p.m. – Chewelah Library
  • Mar 13th @ 4:00 p.m. – Lakeside Library (Nine Mile Falls)

Firewise Landscaping

Presenter: Kathy Hansen

High on the list of concerns that Northeast Washington residents worry about in the warmer months is the threat of wildfires. Learn how your landscape can be the difference from losing your home or saving your home, and gain greater peace of mind during fire season.

  • Apr 1st @ 3:30 p.m. – Lakeside Library (Nine Mile Falls)
  • Apr 2nd @ 6:00 p.m. – Colville Library
  • Apr 3rd @ 2:00 p.m. – Kettle Falls Library
  • Apr 4th @ 3:30 p.m. – Northport Library
  • Apr 8th @11:00 a.m. – Loon Lake Library
  • Apr 8th @ 2:00 p.m. – Chewelah Library
  • Apr 9th @ 4:00 p.m. – Hunters Library

For more information about Master Gardener programs offered by WSU Extension in Stevens County, visit our website: Gardening | Stevens County, email: Linda Teller or call 509-684-2588

Agriculture News

Agriculture Education Logo.

Livestock in the Woods

Livestock in the Woods Event, picture of people in a classroom setting, Learn: Grazing After Fire, Silvopasture, Virtual Fencing, Toxic Forages and More. Vendor booths and door prizes. Feb 22nd 2025, 315 E. Crawford St., Deer Park, WA 99006. 509-684-7579. sccd@stevenscd.org. Doors are open at 8:30 for coffee, pastries, and networking. Event starts at 9am. Lunch is provided with each ticket. Tickets are $25 each pre-ordered, and $30 at the door.

Subjects

  • Grazing After Fire
  • Silvopasture
  • Virtual Fencing
  • Toxic Forages
  • and More!

Vendor booths and door prizes!

When

Feb 22nd, 2025, Doors open at 8:30 for coffee, pastries, and networking, Event starts at 9am.

Where

315 E. Crawford St., Deer Park, WA  99006

Cost

$25 for pre-ordered tickets, $30 at the door (Lunch is provided).

Get Tickets

Contact

Stevens County Conservation District, 509-684-7579, sccd@stevenscd.org

Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board & Stevens County Conservation District Annual Meeting

February 27th, 2025
8:30AM – 4:00PM

Sheriff’s Ambulance Building 425 N. HWY, Colville, WA

Keynote Speaker

  • Stevens Co. Sheriff Brad Manke on the Sheriff Department’s role in wolf and predator management, as well as updates on restricted and open range laws

Presentations By

  • WSU Extension – Weeds on the Farm/Ranch (Preventing & Monitoring)
  • Wilbur Ellis Agronomist – Adjuvants In the Tank and Invasive Grasses
  • SCNWCB – Weed List Hearing/Priority Noxious Weed Updates
  • Updates from local agencies including: DNR, FSA, NRCS, Stevens Co. EMS, and WSU

Up to 4 WSDA Pesticide Recertification and 7 Master Logger credits available!

Don’t miss the presentation of the 2025 VSP Conservation Farmer of the Year Award!

For more information about Master Gardener programs offered by WSU Extension in Stevens County, visit our website: Gardening | Stevens County, email: Linda Teller or call 509-684-2588

4-H Happenings

4-H Grows Here with 4-H shamrock logo

Youth Herdsmanship Clinic: February 23rd

All youth showing large and small animals are invited to this clinic on February 23 at 2 pm in the Ag Trade Center (NE WA Fairgrounds). Topics include animal husbandry, choosing the right project animal (confirmation), home care, vaccine schedules/administration, and info on health/tools needed at home for your animal project. Sessions presented by local veterinarians. If you have questions contact Ashley at 509-680-1744.

Youth Herdsmanship Info Clinic - Animal Husbandry - Choosing the Right Project (Confirmation) - Home Care - Vaccine Schedules/Administration - Info on Health/Tools Needed at Home for your Animal Projects All Youth Exhibitors Welcome! FFA, 4-H, Grange & Open! Large & Small Animal Clinic 2pm February 23rd, NEWA Fair Clinic! Presented by our Local Veterinarians - Jenna Barker, DVM - Echo Ridge Veterinary Hospital - Jessica Work, DVM - Deer Park Veterinary Clinic - Cassandra Goode, DVM - Deer Park Veterinary Clinic Northeast WA Ag Trade Center/ Fairgrounds, Colville, WA

Youth Herdsmanship Info Clinic

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Choosing the Right Project (Confirmation)
  • Home Care
  • Vaccine Schedules/Administration
  • Info on Health/Tools Needed at Home for your Animal Projects

All Youth Exhibitors Welcome! FFA, 4-H, Grange & Open!

Large & Small Animal Clinic 2pm February 23rd, NEWA Fair Clinic!

Presented by our Local Veterinarians
  • Jenna Barker, DVM – Echo Ridge Veterinary Hospital
  • Jessica Work, DVM – Deer Park Veterinary Clinic
  • Cassandra Goode, DVM – Deer Park Veterinary Clinic

Northeast WA Ag Trade Center/ Fairgrounds, Colville, WA

For information about our 4-H program, visit our website: 4-H Youth | Stevens County or contact Shannon Rowley, 509-684-2588

Events Calendar

February

  • February 12th, 6pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Colville Library
  • February 13th, 2pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Chewelah Library
  • February 18th, 2pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Loon Lake Library
  • February 19th, 4-7pm – MG Basic Training class (for registrants only)
  • February 20th, 1pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Kettle Falls Library
  • February 22nd, 9am – “Livestock in the Woods” at Deer Park Fire Station on Crawford Street
  • February 23rd, 2pm – “Youth Herdmanship Clinic” at Ag Trade Center, NEWA Fairgrounds
  • February 25th, 2pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Northport Library
  • February 27th, 8:30am-4pm – Stevens Co Noxious Weed Board/Conservation District ANNUAL MEETING at Sheriff’s Ambulance Building (425 N Hwy)
  • February 27th, 2pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) Library
  • February 28th, 1pm – Beginning Beekeeping at Hunters Library

Resources

Farmer Assistance Request
Ask A Master Gardener (Submit Questions)
Master Gardeners Facebook Page
The Evergreen Thumb Podcast