WSU Ferry County Extension offers assistance and/or researched based information in the following agricultural areas:
Education and Recommendations
- Feeding and nutrition information for livestock
- Farmstead plans including corral design, chicken coop plans, etc.
- Agricultural publications
- Pasture renovation
- Cropping
- Farm record book
Plant, Weed, and Insect Identification & Control
Our Ag and Natural Resource Agents, Dan Fagerlie (located in the Courthouse) and Linda McLean (located in Nespelem) can provide identification services for plants, weeds, and some insects. If you are unable to bring in a sample, call to schedule a site visit.
The Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) system is an innovative system that allows textual information and descriptive images to be submitted directly from County Extension offices for rapid evaluation by resource professionals at the University. Bringing together a hardware and software package that is both reliable and economical results in time and economic savings not only in terms of system development and implementation, but in training, and actual submission of samples as well. If you have a sample that you would like to have identified, stop by our office and we will take digital photos for submission. All you have to do is fill out a simple form with as much information as possible and we can have an answer to you in just a few hours.
Soil Testing & Fertilizer Recommendations
A goal of sound nutrient management is to maximize the proportion of applied nutrients that is used by the crop (nutrient use efficency). Soil sampling is a best management practice (BMP) for fertilizer management that will help improve nutrient use efficiency and protect the environment. Soil sampling is also one of the most important steps in a sound crop fertilization program.
A good soil testing program can be divided into four operations: (1) taking the sample, (2) analyzing the sample, (3) interpreting the sample analysis, and (4) making the fertilizer recommendations. Once you take a sample, you must send it to a laboratory for analysis. The Ferry County Extension office can provide a soil test probe for free checkout, soil test bags, and informational brochures. The soil test labs generally charge $30 - $50 depending upon the test requested. Once you receive your analysis, Ag and Natural Resource educators Dan Fagerlie and Linda McLean can interpret the analysis and make specific fertilizer recommendations.
Noxious Invasive Weed Bioagent Program
The bioagent program is an effort to expand the knowledge and availability of biological agents for the suppression of non-native noxious weeds in our area. This project uses USDA Water Quality, Forest Service, Colville Confederated Tribes, and Bureau of Indian Affairs project monies to provide for the education on, collection, redistribution, and monitoring of bioagents to fight noxious weeds in Ferry and Okanogan Counties, and the Colville Reservation. Dan Fagerlie is the project director with summer employees Chris Adams and Karenia Simpson working in and around the Colville Reservation. Their work is carried out in close cooperation with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel, as well as representatives of County Extension, County Weed Boards, State Weed Board, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, National Forest, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, and private landowners. More information or Request Form .
Weed Control
We offer control consultations including educational programs and literature on how to contol your noxious weeds. Occasionally grant funding is available to provide grass seed for re-seeding to choke out noxious weeds. Chemical may also be provided free of charge for rapid response treatment of high priority weeds: hoary alyssum, common bugloss, and orange and yellow hawkweeds. Each year, workshops are held throughout Ferry County providing "Hands-on Calibration Training" Flyer where participants learn the laws and safety of using pesticides, reading labels correctly, and practicing their new calibration skills while using backpacks, skidmounts, and a boom trailer. These classes are designed for the beginner or for those that would like a refresher course. Weeds Cross Borders Information
Pesticide Licensing & Credits
We provide information and consultations to help you figure out which pesticide license best suits your needs. Study materials are available through the Ferry County Extension office free of charge for checkout. If you would like to purchase your own study materials, you can order them through WSU Publications . Once you are ready to test, call our office to schedule an appointment. You will want to allow 2-4 hours for the test. The fee is $43.00.
We also offer yearly workshops where you can earn required yearly credits.