The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild elk and other wildlife and the land they inhabit. This organization was started around 1984 and has around 1,000 members in the Gorge and 200,000 members nationwide.

The group has four main areas of focus: land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage.

The Charity Navigator (Americas largest charity evaluator) has given the foundation six consecutive four-star ratings, its highest rating. Only 3 percent of other charities in America have had this achievement.

Recently, the RMEF has had its hand in local wildlife preservation agreements. On Dec. 30, 2013, more than 13,000 acres of land in the John Day area that adjoins the Malheur National Forest became permanently protected wildlife habitat.

The RMEF also joined public and private organizations last year to improve 100 acres of wildlife habitat in the Gorge. It has since received prescribed burn, herbicide spray and grass re-seeding.

Hood River will be the site for the North Central Oregon Chapters 25th anniversary banquet, to be held at the armory on April 26 at 4:30 p.m. This event will be limited to 250 people.

Last year, this fundraiser raised $50,000. The group hopes to hit $60,000 this year. Raffles, live auctions, and silent auctions will all be at the event courtesy of local business donations. ODFW is planning to auction off its statewide antelope tag as well.

The original co-founders of the RMEF, Charlie Decker and Bob Munson, will also be in attendance. Old-time country-western singer Joni Harms will perform after the banquet.

Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/1liXizu. For more information contact Randy Klantchnek at 541-490-1382.

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RMEF celebrating 25th anniversary in Hood River

Charlie's Plant to Ponder: Aztec Grass

A variegated form of "Evergreen Giant" Liriope, Aztec grass is a knee-high, evergreen perennial that's suitable for sun or moderate shade on well-drained sites. Propagate by dividing clumps.

Zephyr lilies, also called fairy lilies and rain lilies, are small perennial bulb plants that display pink, white or yellow flowers off-and-on. Although their star-shaped blossoms are most common in the warm season especially after a heavy summer rain flowers can appear at any time. Three species, of which the lovely white-flowered atamasco lily is the most cultivated, are native to Florida, while others of these grassy-leaved plants come from South and Central America. They thrive on moist sites in sun or light shade but adapt well to our seasonal wet/dry cycle.

Zephyr lilies, which perform admirably in containers, are self-seeding when conditions are favorable. Individual flowers last only two or three days, but since fresh blossoms soon pop up to take their place, it's not a significant concern. Bulbs of five Zephyranthes species are available by visiting http://www.BrentandBeckysBulbs.com or calling 877-661-2852 toll-free.

TURF TIPS

Turf grasses have numerous problems, including chinch bugs and fungal diseases, but the biggest problem lawns face is poor maintenance. Homeowners, for example, are often guilty of mowing with dull blades that tear rather than cut the grass, resulting in jagged, slow-healing wounds that are vulnerable to fungi. And misguided gardeners often "scalp" lawns by cutting too low, a mistake that exposes rhizomes to the sun, stresses the grass and allows weeds to grow freely. The outcome of this mistreatment is tattered-looking lawns. Unfortunately, most folks respond by applying pesticides, fungicides and extra fertilizer while continuing to mow too low with dull blades.

Here are a few tips regarding turf maintenance: Mow regularly with very sharp blades set high, never cutting off more than one-third of the grass' height. Allow clippings to remain on the lawn so they can return nutrients to the turf while improving the soil's ability to hold moisture and nutrients. This means less fertilizer will be required and that the lawn will tolerate dry conditions longer. Finally, it's a good idea to vary the mowing pattern instead of adhering to a fixed route.

COLORFUL GROUNDCOVER

Wandering Jew, a low-growing, shade-loving groundcover, has been used in the Deep South for generations. Also popular as a houseplant, wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) thrives in moderate-to-deep shade and spreads rapidly on average sites, where it forms mat-like carpets of foliage. The attractively variegated leaves of this Tropical American species range from silver-and-green to a mix of purple shades.

Wandering Jew is ideal for landscaping difficult areas where few plants survive: Among the tangle of roots at the base of old trees; on steep, shady slopes; and in very deep shade. Though it's not perfect wandering Jew won't tolerate foot traffic, and it's temporarily damaged by frosts and freezes no plant is propagated more easily. Stems stuck into suitable sites during the rainy season quickly take root and begin to spread.

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Weekend Plantings: Zephyr Lilies, Turf Tips, Colorful Groundcover

Grass seed | GreenLeaf | 918-640-6405
Grass seed, applied to your lawn just prior to aeration, will germinate more readily and create a thicker, hardier lawn that is easier to manage. This proces...

By: josh mathias

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Grass seed | GreenLeaf | 918-640-6405 - Video

At the first sign of green grass growing in pastures, farmers will be tempted to turn in livestock for grazing.

Hold back, said Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. Wait for grass to reach a minimum 4 inches of new growth. More is better.

After a long hard winter, I am as sick of feeding hay as anyone, Kallenbach said. But Ill try to hold back.

A delayed start on grazing becomes more important than usual this spring. Pastures will be weak and thin, he said. Give grasses a chance to gain strength.

Pastures were hurt two ways. Dry weather last fall left grasses weak going into winter. The fall of 2013 was drier than the fall of the drought year of 2012, when hurricane rains revived fall pastures.

Secondly, extreme cold killed or set back grass this year.

You think grass doesnt grow in winter. But it is alive and growing. Any new growth was frozen repeatedly.

Extreme variations in temperatures made winterkill worse. There would be 60 degrees one day. Three days later it would fall below zero again.

The plant would react to the spring-like temperaturesand then get zapped, he said. The cure for weak stands is rest and regrowth to restore depleted sugar reserves.

Grazing too early could cause need for pasture reseeding later, or the weak stands could become crowded out with weeds.

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No Grass for Cows Just Yet

MASON CITY | There's still some seeding and landscaping to be done, but beyond that, Mother Nature will play a big part on when the new Mason City Dog Park officially opens.

"Hopefully in early June," said Tim Latham, a member of the citizens board that has been working for years to establish a dog park.

"We need to get some grass growing," he said.

Also, water hookups need to be put in, some utility poles need to be rerouted, and equipment for an agility area of the park needs to be installed, said Latham.

"Some of that can be done after the park is open, but we need to get the grass in there or it's just going to be a mudfest and people are going to be unhappy," he said.

Latham said the park will be divided into three areas: one for large dogs, one for small dogs, and one with the agility equipment -- an exercise area for the pets.

He said with the fence up and the gate unlocked, some residents have already been in the park with their dogs.

"But we're going to have to padlock it so we can get the seeding and landscaping done," said Latham. "We're probably looking at early June to open it to the public -- unless we have a monsoon spring."

The park is across from the city water plant on 13th Street Northeast, on land once occupied by homes that were demolished after the flood of June 2008.

The city donated the land and put up the fence at a cost of about $40,000. The citizens group has raised about $60,000 through various fundraisers, said Latham.

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June opening likely for new Mason City dog park

By BRAD WORRALMarch 22, 2014, 12:10 p.m.

BRAD Worrall's top goss behind the scenes of Border sports.

ABBEY Edwards and Tristan Williams will be cooling their heels this weekend rather than charging into battle in the ancient art of tent pegging.

The Border pair, Abbey originally from Corryong and now Wodonga, and Tristan from near Rutherglen, were to be part of a junior Australian team taking on Pakistan in Queensland.

But after just packing away the riding gear for the flight north on Wednesday, news came the contest was off.

It seems the visitors hadnt been able to get their visas.

Abbey, 18, says its a temporary setback.

Apparently when it all gets sorted out it will go ahead but at the moment we are not sure exactly when, she said.

Its not the first time the pair has carried the green and gold into an international game.

Both were part of an Australian team that played South Africa in 2012.

Originally posted here:
ONE WEEK AT A TIME: Visas, paddock games and a 'rousing' Happy Birthday

Steve Sauter.

By STEVE KAUFMANContributing Writer

If the rough, long winter is really, truly over and the calendar says it is homeowners attention will turn to their lawns.

But, says Steve Sauter of Lawnco, the Lyndon lawn care, landscaping and maintenance specialist, that attentiveness should already have happened, last fall and winter.

For most of our clients, weve already done heavy fertilizing to get that good root growth going, says the co-founder and co-owner of the 35-year-old Louisville company. So normally, on the first call of Spring, were out making preemergent lawn applications to proactively prevent the crabgrass and weeds that will show up in June and July.

He said theyll also do a small balance of fertilizer, especially if it wasnt done in the fall. If the lawn didnt get fertilized and is weak, a small amount will give it a boosting jump start, Sauter says. But its only a small application. Too much heavy fertilizing in the Spring promotes top growth, but not a lot of root structure, he says. Its the strong root structure that you need for a healthy, robust lawn, especially in the heat of mid-summer.

However, if there hasnt been a history of good lawn management, its important to get things going as quickly as possible.

A lot happens in your lawn the beginning of the season, Sauter says. And if you miss the opportunity, youre behind the eight ball the whole summer.

In the summer, Lawnco follows up with a weed control and insecticide application and then does the heavy fertilizing in Fall and Winter.

But, he says, theyre watching your lawn all the time. We have about 2,800 customers within a three-mile radius of our home base, he says, so we see those properties all the time, even if were just driving by. And we can see problems developing even before the homeowner notices them. We can also see if the cable company has dug something up, or if some tree limbs have fallen after a storm and damaged the grass.

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Lawn Care, With an Emphasis on Care

April is just around the corner and with it comes the start of lawn care. Practices that can be done in late March or early April, when weather allows, is removal of debris that has collected over winter, raking leaves that were not removed last fall, mowing, and seeding as needed.

Ideally, delay fertilization until after mid-April. This allows soil to warm for active root growth and herbicides for crabgrass, applied along with fertilizer, to be applied at the correct time. April 20 to May 5 is the ideal window to begin fertilization and apply preemergent herbicides for crabgrass.

At this time of year, there is no need to mow the lawn low to try and stimulate growth. This is not good for turfgrass roots, and it will scalp the turf. It is best to leave the lawn at one height all season, even in early spring.

For Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, maintain a height of about 3.5 inches year round. If you prefer to mow lower in spring, do not mow any lower than 2.5 inches. Now is a good time to have lawn mower blades sharpened and lawn mowers tuned if still needed.

Two lawn care practices to complete in April, if soils are not too wet, are core aeration and power raking. A common question is which of these practices is better. Both can be beneficial; however, core aeration needs to be done more often than power raking.

Aeration removes plugs of soil to relieve compaction which occurs from irrigation and foot and mower traffic. If possible, aerate lawns growing on silty loam or clay soils and which have a lot of foot traffic once a year. Lawns growing on sandier soils and those having little foot traffic can be aerated less often.

By relieving soil compaction, infiltration of water, fertilizer, and soil applied pesticides is increased. Water and air drainage is improved for increased soil oxygen levels and a more vigorous root system. Aeration also slows the build-up of thatch.

Power raking is beneficial, although stressful for lawns, when a deep raking is done to remove true thatch. Thatch is a tight mat of dead roots, rhizomes and stems that occurs naturally over time. Some thatch is beneficial so power raking is only needed when true thatch exceeds one-half inch.

True thatch cannot be seen from the surface. To check for thatch, cut a small plug from the lawn. Look for the reddish brown, dense, mat-like thatch between the soil and the base of grass plant. Only if it is beginning to exceed one-half inch is deep power raking needed.

Some thatch is beneficial. It insulates growing points from extreme heat, cold and foot traffic. But once thatch exceeds one-half inch, it becomes detrimental as roots tend to grow in thatch rather than soil and fertilizer can be tied up in thatch.

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Aerating, power raking benefit lawns

Designer Danielle Trofe's latest project, called the Mush-lume, is a lamp inspired by and manufactured with mushrooms. Photos by Danielle Trofe

The lampshades started out as agricultural waste products, mostly corn stalks and seed husks that were packed into a plastic mold which was injected with liquified mycelium, a fungus that grows on the materials and binds them together like glue. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative's current products are largely disposable and look like the hick cousins of more conventional styrofoam blocks. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative's current products are largely disposable and look like the hick cousins of more conventional styrofoam blocks.

Ecovative is a 60 person company based in New York that primarily produces structural packaging materials for clients like Dell and Steelcase. Photos by Ecovative

Ecovative is a 60 person company based in New York that primarily produces structural packaging materials for clients like Dell and Steelcase.

Trofe is currently working on an indoor planter made fom mushrooms. "The challenge here of course, is how to restrict the materials biodegradable property until desired," she says. "Its a challenge, but luckily Im a fun-gal!" Photos by Ecovative

Trofe is currently working on an indoor planter made fom mushrooms. "The challenge here of course, is how to restrict the materials biodegradable property until desired," she says. "Its a challenge, but luckily Im a fun-gal!"

"Im not the first designer or artist to work with mushrooms as a product medium," says Trofe. "But I might be the first lighting designer to tap into a material science thats already been well developed and is ready to expand and be adopted into new industries and applications." Photos by Danielle Trofe

"Im not the first designer or artist to work with mushrooms as a product medium," says Trofe. "But I might be the first lighting designer to tap into a material science thats already been well developed and is ready to expand and be adopted into new industries and applications."

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This Lamp Is Grown From Mushrooms

The topic of cover crops has been getting lots of discussion. Cover crops are not new but we are certainly looking more at their benefits in recent years. Green manure crops were an early method to add nitrogen to the soil. Ten to 15 years ago, planting a cover crop such as winter rye following a corn silage harvest was used to reduce erosion on mostly bare ground. We now realize the benefits of rooting depth to break up soil's hard pan and how roots bring microbial activity to the soil. Cover crops can also fix nitrogen or scavenge nitrogen in the soil while adding organic matter and ground cover, improving water holding capacity and providing forage for livestock.

Cover crops work best when included in a whole farm cropping system. Cover crops can provide additional forage supply to a livestock farm when used as hay, silage, baleage or grazed in rotation while still providing the other benefits as well. But the questions that need to be considered are what and when. What cover crops provide the best forage? When will I plant? When and how to harvest? And, will this be profitable for me?

A variety of cover crops can work for forage. Which one you use may depend on when you want to plant it. Probably the most common scenario is to plant a cover crop following small grain harvest or corn silage harvest. This would be planted sometime from the middle of August to the middle of September. A cool season crop such as a small grain would be a likely choice. Do you plan to graze it in the fall or let it grow until spring and harvest it for silage, baleage or hay?

Here are some possible mixes and planting strategies to consider:

Mixes of different size seeds require certain considerations at planting. The best method is to use a drill with two different seed boxes and the ability to sow the small grain at an inch and a half deep while sowing the smaller seeds at a quarter to one half inch deep and pressed firmly. Research has been done to evaluate sowing both sizes of seeds together at one inch deep. Depending on soil type, this may or may not be successful.

A heavier soil type makes this a risky method because the smaller seed will not emerge from that depth. Broadcasting seed of different sizes is affected by seed weight and density. Larger, heavier seeds tend to be distributed further from a cyclone seeder. Smaller and lighter seed do not carry as far and can be carried by the wind as well. The result can be streaking of seed with this type of seeding. Broadcasting seed, with or without light tillage, requires a higher seeding rate to obtain similar stand density. For these reasons, it is usually more successful to use a drill.

As always, working with your team of farm, nutrition and agronomy members will help to formulate a plan for your operation. These are guidelines to get started that hopefully will lead to a greater forage supply for your farm.

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Are cover crops in your forage supply?