It's Raining Poop

Nutrients Returned and Reused

It's that time of year again...let the spray begin. There is something about driving by country fields seeing the stream of greeny-brown stuff flying through the air. It's kinda fun. Spraying cow manure, returning nutrients back to the soil, recycling. Local dairy farmers return nutrients back to the soil by reusing their valuable resource...cow manure. Manure can supply all the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and several other nutrients needed for forage production. Get this...one, that's right, ONE lactating dairy cow’s manure can supply enough nitrogen for 1.5 acres of silage corn. That's amazing!

In the Valley

We locate ourselves in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), nestled and working the lower foothills of Mt. Baker. We do so because we love the cranny we call home. Many of us farm on large pieces of land or small spots of acreage we fondly call "the farm". No matter which end of the spectrum we find ourselves, or somewhere in between, we share common passion and respect for all who toil this land. Some farm dairy, some beef, chickens, pork, veal and some of us garden veggies, fruit and flowers, and some of us farm trees that will be adorned with ornaments and a cherished part of Christmas celebrations and family memories. All of us provide some type of sustenance to our local communities. We have many surprises as we struggle with unmannered weather, unannounced pests and sometimes just plain bad luck. We are challenged beyond belief at times working into the early morning hours, in the dark of night, tired and exhausted. But we are all living in the valley together, creating a community of farming that will hopefully turn into generations of connection by providing some essences of life in the many unique ways we serve this land and each other.