WSU Extension Stevens County Newsletter

Forestry – Eastern Region

Coached Planning – Forest Stewardship Shortcourse

Whether you’re a long-time forest owner or just taking the first steps to managing your forest, this 8-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.

• When: Wednesdays, January 7- March 11 2026, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Where: Online via Zoom, Saturday Field Day TBD
• Cost:  $150 per person, family, or land-parcel

Register

Forest Owners Winter School

The Forest Owner’s Winter School is a hands-on, interactive educational event for families who own forestland in Washington. Whether you live on your land or are an absentee owner, this is a great opportunity to learn how to gain more benefits from your family forest, no matter where it is located in the state.  Classes are 50 minutes, with 10 minutes to change between programs. Throughout the day, over one dozen topics will be presented for you to choose from! By the end of the day, you will have attended as many sessions as time allows. In addition, there will be a resource area featuring exhibitors, vendors, displays by the public, private, and nonprofit organizations that provide products and services to assist landowners.

• When: February 7th, 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., doors open at 8 a.m.
• Where: Spokane Community College, 985 S Elm Street, Colville
• Cost: 
  • Advance Registration, RECEIVED BY Feb. 7, is
    $30 per person and $40 per family.
  • Registration on the day of the event is $40 per
    person and $50 per family.
  • Refunds available until the day of the event.

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Save $10 before February 7, 2026!

Register

Registration includes all class materials and refreshments. Bring the entire family! Box lunches will be available for purchase for an additional $10 each and must be pre-purchased by February 7.

For information about our Forestry program, visit our website: Extension Forestry, Eastern Washington or contact Joshua Cardin, 509-308-8224

Agriculture

Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Course

This course will walk you through the steps to create a farm business plan through weekly online classes with guest speaker farmers and resource providers and connections in regional groups.

• When: Tuesdays, January 20- March 10, 2026, 6-8 p.m. with in-person intensives on Feb 28 and March 7
• Where: Virtual (Zoom) statewide, with Spanish interpretation
• Cost:  $200 (Scholarships available to anyone for whom the class fee is a barrier)

2026 Baler School by NE Washington Hay Growers’ Association

Stop leaving money in the field. Whether you’re managing a large-scale crew or running your own small acreage, if your baler isn’t optimized, you are losing profit. Join the Northeast Washington Hay Growers’ Association for an interactive, operator-focused day with T.J. Steele of Steele Ag Innovations (Stinnett, TX).

• When: Friday, January 30, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Where: Spokane Hutterian – 3610 N Wood Rd, Reardon, WA 99029-9619
• Cost:  $150 per person (Lunch is on us.)
• Registration: Space is limited to 100 participants.
  • Registration forms available at Colville Extension office: 986 S Main St., Colville, or call 509-684-2588
  • MAIL registration to: Loren Lentz, NEWHGA Treasurer, 4513 Bellstar Rd., Clayton, WA 99110. 509-220-3475
  • Include: Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip, Email, Cellphone, Number Registering, Payment Amount
  • Checks payable to: NEWHGA

2026 NE Washington Hay Growers’ Association Annual Meeting

• When: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Where: Deer Park Fire District #4 – 315 E Crawford St, Deer Park, WA 99006
• Pre-registration:  Members $20/Non-Members $25
• Registration at the Door: Members $25/Non-Members $30
• Registration due by January 23rd:
  • Registration forms available at Colville Extension office: 986 S Main St., Colville, or call 509-684-2588
  • MAIL registration to: Loren Lentz, NEWHGA Treasurer, 4513 Bellstar Rd., Clayton, WA 99110. 509-220-3475
  • Include: Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip, Email, Cellphone, Number Registering, Payment Amount
  • Checks payable to: NEWHGA

For information about our Agriculture program, visit our website: Agriculture | Stevens County or contact Kathryn Hoogheem, 509-684-2588