By Kristoffer Mills
NRCS-WA State Outreach Coordinator

CURTIS, Wash. – The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) collaborated to bring In-Field Soil Health Assessment Training to Mallonee Farms in Curtis on Aug. 6.  

The training was an equivalent training course for the Sustainability and Soil Health Course providing credits for certified planner certifications.  Participants from across the state represented Master Gardeners, Washington State University, Conservation Districts, Seattle Public Schools, community colleges, and WSDA.  

Maynard Mallonee, owner of Mallonee Family Farm, hosted the event on his property which is an organic dairy operation that has been in in family since 1949.  The farm was one of the first organic dairies in Washington State and they have been producing organically certified milk since 2004.  

The operation uses no till drill practices in the permanent grazing pastures. Mr. Mallonee mentioned that his grandfather “didn’t believe in plowing” so has implemented grazing practices that reduce tilling and promote healthy soils.

Max Ross, NRCS-WA State Resource Soil Scientist, stationed in Olympia, served as cadre for the training.  Max presented the rainfall simulator, wind erosion simulator, and slaking test demonstrations during the training.  He used perennial grasses from pastures on the farm, and samples of no-till and conventional till soils to demonstrate the characteristics of healthy soils.

For those wondering if Mallonee is an NRCS-WA client, Max confirmed he is a regular participant. Mallonee utilizes agency programs for grazing, irrigation, and manure management, as well as wetlands and endangered plant restoration.