This publication provides direction on estimating soil moisture by the "feel and appearance" method; taking a some soil and rolling it up in a ball then squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger to form a ribbon and noting how it appears and feels. Compare what you see with photographs and/or charts to estimate percent water available and the inches depleted below field capacity.
Learn about soil moisture and cultivation needed when dry farming. In facing challenges of increasing weather variability and a changing climate, one experienced dry farmer shares how he has grown squash, beans, tomatoes and corn without irrigation for decades.
This report includes preliminary data for the second of a three-year study. Since this year was a record drought year, results could vary from a normal rainfall year. Finalized data and observations will be released in future as peer-reviewed studies, reports, and extension articles. For more information, please visit the RDFA project page. .
Pacific Northwest blueberry growers must identify and control a number of bacterial and fungal diseases in order to ensure the highest yields. Fortunately, only a few of the diseases that occur on highbush blueberry in this region cause significant losses when left unchecked.
Jay W. Pscheidt, Jerry Weiland |
Mar 2015 |
Article
Collection of forage resources, mostly for Coastal Oregon regions. Includes studies on fiber digestibility, phosphoric soil, rations, and cost/benefit of growing and buying locally grown forages.
Aug 2018 |
Collection
Photo: Sheryl Costello, USDA Forest Service (Cropped from original)
You may have encountered white, segmented “worms” or grubs when chopping firewood and wondered what they were. Common questions include, did they kill my tree? And are they a danger to other trees? The quick answers are no, and no.
The intent of this add-on exercise is for PSA grower course trainees to think through various harvest and post-harvest scenarios and consider implications related to produce safety in the context of real production environments. Each group of trainees (4-6 per group) is given a set of the printed photos to work through. They are asked specific questions, and given 15-20 minutes to work in their groups. Following group discussions, trainers go through the slide deck and ask participants to share what they discussed in their groups about each scenario.
Jovana Kovacevic, Joy Waite-Cusic |
Nov 2019 |
Presentation