Watershed Tours
Tours of Luckiamute Watershed Farms & Forests
The Luckiamute Watershed Council has hosted several tours of agricultural operations in the watershed. The tours have given the community an opportunity to see what kinds of conservation projects have helped these successful businesses. Those attending also met council members and other landowners with an interest in watershed health.
The first tour on May 24th was of a seed crop farm which is converting to no-till production in the Soap Creek basin. At the Mulkey’s farm, Council members learned about the benefits to a farmer’s bottom-line, as well as, to the land when using no-till farming practices. More information here.
Garth Mulkey far right sharing with the group his experience with no-till farming.
The next tour on June 9th was of an organic dairy farm, Double J Jerseys, situated on the banks of the Little Luckiamute River. Jon Bansen took the group on a walking tour, all the while, explaining the practices that make his dairy organic. In the next few years he hopes to reach his goal of also becoming a sustainable farm, in which all the raw materials needed will be available on-site.
Jon Bansen with his Jersey’s which supply milk to the Organic Valley Cooperative.
On July 2nd the LWC in partnership with the OSU Extension Service and Oregon Small Woodlands Association toured a small timber operation. The Lamers’ forest property is located along hilltops that drain to the South Fork of Ash Creek. During the driving tour of the forest participants received a thorough overview of the family run forestry operation. The group also learned about the history of the area and shared views of how stewardship of the land plays out in their business. More information here.
Terry Lamers, standing in a forest of seedlings just planted by him & his brother, while describing his timber operation to the group.
The final tour for this summer will be of the vineyards at Airlie Winery on Sept. 15th, as part of the LWC’s 3rd Annual Celebration. The winery is located on the headwaters of Jont Creek a tributary to the Luckiamute River.
The LWC summer tour series has been made possible by a Spirit Mountain Community Fund grant combined with funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Weyerhaeuser, Polk and Benton Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Polk County cities used to hire a part-time outreach specialist.
For more information e-mail Christine at hurstc24@hotmail.com, or call the council office at 503-838-8804.
The Luckiamute Watershed Council has hosted several tours of agricultural operations in the watershed. The tours have given the community an opportunity to see what kinds of conservation projects have helped these successful businesses. Those attending also met council members and other landowners with an interest in watershed health.
Garth Mulkey far right sharing with the group his experience with no-till farming.
Jon Bansen with his Jersey’s which supply milk to the Organic Valley Cooperative.
Terry Lamers, standing in a forest of seedlings just planted by him & his brother, while describing his timber operation to the group.
The final tour for this summer will be of the vineyards at Airlie Winery on Sept. 15th, as part of the LWC’s 3rd Annual Celebration. The winery is located on the headwaters of Jont Creek a tributary to the Luckiamute River.
The LWC summer tour series has been made possible by a Spirit Mountain Community Fund grant combined with funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Weyerhaeuser, Polk and Benton Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Polk County cities used to hire a part-time outreach specialist.
For more information e-mail Christine at hurstc24@hotmail.com, or call the council office at 503-838-8804.