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The Conservation Connection

The Conservation Connection fosters sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts in Thurston County, promoting community engagement and education to protect natural resources and support local farmers in a changing climate.

Join the Thurston Conservation District October 2nd for our biennial local conference, United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate&nbsp;. This day-long conference will explore how local agriculture can adapt and build resilience in the face of a changing climate. The event combines classroom presentations with practical, field-based learning for farmers, ranchers, gardeners, local leaders, policy makers, and anyone interested in local food systems, conservation, and climate adaptation. Friday, October 2nd Lacey Community Center Schedule8:30&ndash;9:00 a.m. &ndash; Check-in, coffee + pastries, and networking9:15&ndash;9:45 a.m. &ndash; Welcome and opening keynote by Willie Frank Jr (Nisqually Indian Tribe)10:00&ndash;11:50 a.m. &ndash; Morning breakout sessions<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">10:00 - 10:50 am - Breakout Session 1:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Habitat Conservation: Assisted Migration of Wildlife and the Nexus with Farmland Preservation</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farmer Support: Conservation Grazing Internationally</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Agricultural Innovations: Wool Mulch and Plastics Reduction</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">11:00 - 11:50 am - Breakout Session 2:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Habitat Conservation: Managing Forests for Bat and Wildlife Habitat</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">&nbsp;Farmer Support: Farmer Mental Health and Climate Impacts&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Agricultural Innovations: Utilizing Dry Farming Practices in an Uncertain Climate</li></ul></li></ul>12:00&ndash;1:30 p.m. &ndash; Lunch and Resource Fair featuring 15+ local organizations and service providers. Local food trucks will be parked at the Community Center, and other lunch offerings are close by!2:00&ndash;4:00 p.m. -&nbsp;Field-sessions (Each ticket holder will be asked to select one afternoon field session - space is limited). Attendees will transport themselves to the field session. Limited transportation assistance available.<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Flower Farming in all Seasons, Centralia, WA:&nbsp;Learn directly from local flower farmer and florist Betsy Levy as she shares her proven flower production methods, from growing specialty blooms to creating a sustainable, year-round flower business. This field-based session explores the techniques Betsy uses to grow the flowers she designs with while generating income throughout every season. Participants will gain practical experience in heirloom chrysanthemum production, learn about harvesting and drying flowers for year-round sales, and discover strategies for growing flowers in a high tunnel to extend the growing season and increase production. Whether you&#39;re an aspiring flower farmer, a florist interested in growing your own blooms, or an experienced grower looking to diversify your operation, you&#39;ll leave with practical skills and insights you can apply to your own farm or garden.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Biochar &amp; Alternative Forest Products, Lacey, WA:&nbsp;Join this field session to learn how biochar, agroforestry, and alternative forest products can enhance the health, productivity, and resilience of working lands. Hear from Wildfire Program Manager James Moore, Pierce Conservation District, and land managers Mark and Kim Conner about practical applications of biochar, integrating trees into agricultural systems, and opportunities to diversify farm and forest income through alternative forest products. Participants will gain insights into these innovative land management practices and the ecological and economic benefits they provide.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farmer Support: Farmland Preservation in Action, Tumwater, WA:&nbsp;Visit Little Big Farm to learn about successful farm succession planning. Hear from farmers who initially leased land through TCD&rsquo;s South Sound FarmLink program and later negotiated the purchase of the farmland they now own and actively farm. They will share how this succession planning model created a pathway to land ownership, supported the long-term viability of their farm, and helped preserve productive farmland while continuing to provide fresh, locally grown food for the community.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ag Innovations: Demonstration of Electric Farm Equipment with E-Farms, Tumwater, WA: Join E-Farms and Puget Sound Energy for an electric farm equipment demonstration. Four non-profits - Sustainable Northwest, Forth, Wy&rsquo;East RC&amp;D, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation - have launched the E-Farms program to bring electric farm equipment to farms, forests, ranches, and other operations across the PNW. Puget Sound Energy is partnering with the E-Farms collaborative on agricultural electrification demonstrations that will provide outreach about emerging electric technologies related to farming and established an equipment lending program in 2026 to provide access to electric agricultural equipment within the PSE service territory. This program is an important test case to explore electric farm equipment&rsquo;s best uses and analyze growth opportunities while building knowledge, access, and adoption of electric farm equipment to help farmers save money and reduce on-farm emissions. Ride &amp; drive opportunities or displays will be available for: Ford F-150 Lightning Truck, Polaris Kinetic UTV, Can AM 4-wheeler, and a Fusion commercial utility cart.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Farming with ESA Listed Species, Tumwater, WA:&nbsp;This session is designed for farmers and landowners who have or may have endangered species on their property and want to balance agricultural production with wildlife conservation. Participants will learn from nonregulatory staff with the Partners for Fish &amp; Wildlife Program and local conservation grazer Jake Yancey, Tracking Y Ranch, about practical strategies for farming alongside species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Oregon spotted frog. Topics will include conservation grazing practices that support endangered species, creating and maintaining habitat while keeping land in agricultural production, farm management approaches that benefit both agricultural operations and these important species, clarity around regulations and allowable practices, and examples of integrating conservation into working lands. The session focuses on real-world, nonregulatory approaches that help farmers protect sensitive species while maintaining productive farms.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gardening for a Changing Climate: Practices and People, Olympia, WA: TBD.</li></ul>&nbsp;Additional Information<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">This is the first portion of a two-day, three-event celebration of what&rsquo;s possible when we&rsquo;re United in Conservation. After Friday&rsquo;s conference, join us Saturday Oct. 3rd for our Annual Harvest Festival during the day, followed by a farm to table dinner held at Summit Farms to celebrate our Community Awards Recipients and raise funds for our developing Conservation and Education Center. Attendance at the Harvest Festival is free. A separate ticket is required for Saturday&#39;s dinner. Click here to find tickets for Saturday evening: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/harvest-farm-to-table-dinner" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/harvest-farm-to-table-dinner</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please consider purchasing an additional conference ticket for a needs-based attendee.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Interested in volunteering at the conference? A limited number of reduced-price volunteer tickets are available. Volunteer roles may include the Saturday dinner event.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Attendees can join a waitlist for scholarship tickets if funding becomes available. Please contact Nora Carman-White to add your name to this list.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Please consider providing an additional optional donation to support the development of TCD&#39;s Conservation &amp; Education Center.</li></ul>Please note: The Conservation Connection is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization that is a fiscal agent for Thurston Conservation District.

Conference - United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate

Join Thurston Conservation District for a Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner at the beautiful Summit Farms, a charming 28-acre regenerative farm and community gathering place. Enjoy an evening of great food, live entertainment, and community as we raise funds for our future Conservation &amp; Education Center.Dinner will feature locally sourced ingredients, including beef generously donated by Colvin Ranch, along with wines sourced from local wineries, and other beverages too.The evening will include live music by Five Mile Drive, followed by a keynote from Mitch Lewis, owner and operator&nbsp;of Summit Farms. Mitch is an&nbsp;acclaimed speaker,&nbsp;author, business&nbsp;leader, and world-renowned athlete whose&nbsp;latest adventure has&nbsp;taken him and&nbsp;his wife, Michelle, into regenerative farming&nbsp;and agritourism at&nbsp;Summit Farms.We&#39;ll also celebrate our 2026 Community Awardees, recognizing individuals&nbsp;and organizations making&nbsp;a lasting impact&nbsp;in conservation and&nbsp;our community.Put on your Farmer Fancy attire and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating local food, conservation, and community. This is the third portion of a two-day, three-event celebration of what&rsquo;s possible when we&rsquo;re United in Conservation. Consider joining us on Friday, October 2nd for a full-day conference focused on sustaining local agriculture in a time of changing climate. A separate ticket is required for Friday&#39;s Conference. Click here to find tickets for Friday&#39;s conference: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/growers-conference" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/growers-conference</a> Please note: The Conservation Connection is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization that is a fiscal agent for Thurston Conservation District.

The Conservation Connection

The Conservation Connection

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Conference - United in Conservation: Local Agriculture in the Time of a Changing Climate

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Harvest Farm-to-table Dinner

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