Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) is announcing both their Pasture Exchange Program and Manure Exchange Program. The programs can be accessed through their website or by contacting Erin Kilcullen at ekilcullen.dswcd@outlook.com or 541-550-6834.
The Pasture Exchange Program is a way for farmers to lease to those seeking land. It allows farmers to earn extra income and offers renters a means of operating on land without the commitment of owning. The program also has the intention of being a means of emergency preparedness in the event of natural disasters, such as wildfires and drought. Having access to different contacts in the community is a secure way to protect livestock in the event that land becomes victim to drought and/or fires, and animals are in need of emergency relocation.
The Manure Exchange Program helps reallocate excess manure from farmers and ranchers to gardens and other land in need of soil amendments. Straight manure is high in nitrogen, a main ingredient in commercial fertilizer, and manure can also be used as an activator for compost. This program has several providers across Deschutes County, and those in need of manure can reach out directly to them through the DSWCD website or by joining the Manure Exchange Program Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/202051871991259.
For more information about these programs and other projects that DSWCD is working on, go to deschutesswcd.org and check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
instagram.com/deschutesswcd • facebook.com/DeschutesConservationDistrict
