Western Integrated Nutrient Management Education Program

View the project final report

• 2001 annual report
• 2002 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: barley, canola, corn, hops, oats, potatoes, sugarbeets, wheat, grass (misc. perennial), hay
• Fruits: apples, berries (other), cherries, pears, berries (strawberries)
• Nuts: hazelnuts
• Vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, onions, sweet corn
• Additional Plants: trees
• Animals: bovine, poultry, sheep
• Animal Products: dairy

Practices

• Animal Production: manure management, feed/forage
• Crop Production: municipal wastes, nutrient cycling, organic fertilizers, tissue analysis
• Education and Training: extension
• Farm Business Management: whole farm planning
• Natural Resources/Environment: grass waterways, riparian buffers, soil stabilization
• Soil Management: green manures, soil analysis, nutrient mineralization, organic matter, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

Successful nutrient management requires better communication among the parties responsible for planning and implementing changes in management practices. Key participants in the Western Integrated Nutrient Management Education Project include Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service representatives in the Pacific Northwest. The project produced 17 workshops, held in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, with a total attendance of over 400. Follow-up survey data indicate that participants are using the knowledge they gained in their work. Evaluation results document that on average the first year workshop participants cumulatively impact 500,000 acres. Three Pacific Northwest Extension publications related to nutrient management were produced

The goal of the Western Integrated Nutrient Management Education (WINME) Project is to increase the ability of agricultural professionals to support landowners in sustainable nutrient management decisions that minimize negative impacts of nutrients on the environment and human health. To promote this goal the project has the following objectives:

Train agricultural professionals in technical and participatory planning aspects of nutrient management to enhance their capacity to provide sustainable field, farm, and watershed level assistance

Create educational materials and resources that provide up-to-date, cutting-edge research information in a practical format

Facilitate communication between agricultural support professionals, farmers, and regulatory agencies to create fundamental improvements in the regulatory climate

Evaluate the education program and provide guidance for training in other states of the Western Region