Rural Conservation
Services
Cover crops
Do you want to use less fertilizer? Plant cover crops. Use the power of nature to help you build heathy, robust soil. Feeding the soil with organic matter and nutrients from cover crops improves crop production and reduces the need for inputs over time.
Resources:
Find which cover crops are right for your farm.
Manage mud and manure
Livestock owners are responsible under state law to properly manage mud and manure so that it does not contaminate public waters. Manure contains high concentrations of bacteria, phosphates, and nitrates. When runoff from manure enters surface or ground water, it harms water quality and sends disease-carrying bacteria to people and livestock via irrigation and drinking water. Furthermore, mud is both a nuisance and a health risk for livestock if they don't have a dry place to stand.
Resources:
Learn more: Farm Manure Management.
Erosion and compaction
Whether you are farming on a slope or flat ground, how you farm impacts on the soil. Contour farming, well designed farm roads, and proper livestock management help prevent erosion and compaction. Building healthy soils makes them resistant to erosion and compaction and resilient to climate change.
Services
Find out if you're in our service area.
Related services to help you with rural conservation:
Rural conservation resources
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Managing Cover Crops Profitably
Managing Cover Crops Profitably explores how and why cover crops work, and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation. Publication by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
View and download resource -
Farm Manure Management
Learn how to properly store and compost farm manure.
View and download resource -
Tips on Land & Water Management for Small Acreages in Oregon
Learn a variety of useful tips on managing land, including land and water conservation, weed management, soils, grazing management, irrigation, mud and manure, wetlands and wildlife habitat, and more. Publication by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
View and download resource -
Managing Small-acreage Horse Farms
Learn how to have green pastures, clean water, and healthy horses. Publication by Oregon State University Extension Service.
View and download resource -
Conservation Directory
Find products and services from local businesses that can help you get your conservation project done. This directory is maintained by East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and may not be a comprehensive list of providers.
Find resources for your conservation project.
Staff contact
Scott Gall
Farm & Soil Conservationist
Contact me about:
Soil health; Farms and livestock; Equity and inclusionKammy Kern-Korot
Senior Conservationist
Contact me about:
Oregon oak, savanna, wetlands and riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a creek, river, pond, or other body of water habitats; Emerald ash borer; conservation planning and native plantings for pollinators and other wildlife on rural lands.
