On a sunny June morning, Wild Farm Alliance and 24 participants gathered at Scenic Valley Farms in the Willamette Valley of Oregon for a field day co-hosted with our partners at Salmon-Safe.
Brian Zielinski, a third generation farmer at Scenic Valley, opened up the event with a tour of the vineyards. He highlighted the wildlife-friendly practices they’ve adopted, such as adding raptor perches, bat houses and bird boxes, planting cover crops between the vine rows, and installing flowering habitat along field edges. Brian shared that their business model is based on investing in the ecosystem that will be left for their children instead of focusing solely on the bottom dollar.
Dr. Gabrielle Roesch-McNally of Dry Farming Institute discusses water conservation (left); Heidi Noordijk from OSU Extension Service demonstrates a soil moisure meter (right)
We then heard from Dr. Gabrielle Roesch-McNally of Dry Farming Institute about their work at the nexus of water and climate to support farmers to thrive in uncertain and challenging times. Heidi Noordijk, OSU Extension Service, gave a tangible demonstration of water conservation by showcasing a soil moisture meter. She discussed the benefits of using a meter and then demonstrated how to install and use them.
Vinegar weed killer made from Scenic Valley grapes (left); Habitat strip next to hops tie-downs (center); Blood meal fertilizer (right)
Next up, participants traveled to the hop fields where Brian Zielinski and Scenic Valley Hops Manager AJ Lomax toured the innovative strategies they employ to increase beneficials and reduce artificial inputs. At all the hops tie-downs they plant flowering habitat to attract beneficial insects and boost pest control. For spot treatment of weeds in the hop fields, Scenic Valley uses vinegar made from their grape juice deemed unsuitable for wine production. They also showcased a blood meal fertilizer they make from livestock remains from a nearby farm.
Following the field tour, participants heard from several additional speakers in the tasting room:
Brian Muegge, Salmon-Safe, gave an overview of the Salmon-Safe certification process and their work with Scenic Valley Farm. Salmon-Safe's peer reviewed standards focus on watershed impacts from farm operations, recognizing farms doing their part to protect water quality and wildlife habitat. Read more about Salmon-Safe Certification here.
Cesar Zamora, Marion County Conservation District, presented on cover crops. He discussed the benefits and the realities of implementing cover crops, including considerations like time, equipment, soil conditions, equipment needs, and common species that have been used in the area.
Sharon Selvaggio, Xerces Society, presented on beneficial insects and pollinator conservation in vineyards. She started by touching upon common pests and diseases in Oregon vineyards and the trend to increase pesticide use to try and combat these pests. She then showed how recruiting beneficial insects can be a vital tool in managing pests in vineyards and the bugs that have successfully attracted to vineyards.
Ashley Chesser, Wild Farm Alliance, closed out the presentations by sharing details of WFA’s Farmland Flyways Program. She discussed how different types of birds can provide different pest control benefits and the ways that farmers can support beneficial birds on the farm. Ashley encouraged everyone who supports birds on the farm to join the Farmland Flyways Trail.
Brian Zielinski next to oak barrels made from fallen oak trees on the property (left) and offering wine tastings (right)
After lunch, several participants stayed for a winery tour where we got to see wine barrels constructed from fallen oak trees on the property.