JOHN BURKHART’s Highland Farm in Brush Prairie was recognized in 2013 by the Small Acreage Program as a model property for implementing best management practices that protect water quality and natural resources.
HIGHLAND FARM IN Brush Prairie will be the site of a tour on Thu., June 25 offered by the WSU Clark County Extension Small Acreage Program.
BRUSH PRAIRIE – Over the past 12 years, John Burkhart has worked hard to learn and implement stewardship practices on his eight-acre Brush Prairie property, and now he wants to share what he’s learned.
Burkhart and WSU Clark County Extension’s Small Acreage Program invite the community for a tour of Burkhart’s Highland Farm on Thu., June 25 to learn about natural horse care, organic gardening, and management practices that improve farms while keeping area streams clean.
In 2013, Burkhart’s Highland Farm was recognized by the Small Acreage Program as a model property for implementing best management practices that protect water quality and natural resources. In the years leading up to that recognition, Burkhart attended numerous Small Acreage Program workshops, tours and events, including the 12-week Living On the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages class, to learn how stewardship practices could benefit his goals for the property while enhancing the environment.
“The WSU Small Acreage Program gave us the information needed to design a winter paddock in the heavy use areas and the horses' feet have been healthy since eliminating the mud,” Burkhart said.
On the tour, participants will learn valuable tips and see strategies that can help reduce mud, improve pastures and protect natural resources. Participants will also have the opportunity to see and discuss winter paddock design, footing materials, manure composting, controlling runoff, pasture management, managing acreage organically and more.
“John has really shown a commitment to stewardship and the practices we teach, and the quality of his property shows that,’’ said Eric Lambert, Small Acreage Program coordinator. “These tours are an excellent way to share ideas and learn from others’ successes and mistakes.”
The Small Acreage Program, co-sponsored by Washington State University Clark County Extension and Clark County Environmental Services Clean Water Program, will lead the tour with the landowners. Resources will be available and the tour will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m. with participants meeting at the property in Brush Prairie. Farm tours are guided educational events open to anyone.
Registration is $10 and tour size is limited. To register, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1592214 or call 360-397-6060, ext. 0.
