Inland Northwest FLOURISH

08/26/2026

We're excited to announce that the Palouse Winter Pulse Project is nearing its official launch. Made possible through funding from the National Association of Conservation Districts, this initiative provides incentive contracts for farmers in the Palouse region who are interested in planting winter pulse crops and conducting lime applications.
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be a farmer located within the Palouse or Potlatch watersheds
• Possess a valid farm number
• Be eligible for USDA funding and have fulfilled all related FSA requirements
To learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n99e7ws

We're excited to announce that the Palouse Winter Pulse Project is nearing its official launch. Made possible through funding from the National Association of Conservation Districts, this initiative provides incentive contracts for farmers in the Palouse region who are interested in planting winter pulse crops and conducting lime applications.

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be a farmer located within the Palouse or Potlatch watersheds
• Possess a valid farm number
• Be eligible for USDA funding and have fulfilled all related FSA requirements

To learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n99e7ws.

07/30/2026

Calling all producers: You're invited to a No-Till Drill Demonstration Day near Pullman on Tuesday, September 15th from 10 am to 2 pm!
The event will include a day of learning, networking, and demonstrations featuring:
• Panel discussion
• Low and no-till peer-to-peer education
• Drill demonstration featuring four to five different drills
• Lunch and refreshments
This event is co-hosted with our partners at Pine Creek Conservation District, Whitman Conservation District, Rock Lake Conservation District, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, and Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association.
Registration is required by Tuesday, September 8. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/45xk32p6

Calling all producers: You're invited to a No-Till Drill Demonstration Day near Pullman on Tuesday, September 15th from 10 am to 2 pm!

The event will include a day of learning, networking, and demonstrations featuring:
• Panel discussion
• Low and no-till peer-to-peer education
• Drill demonstration featuring four to five different drills
• Lunch and refreshments

This event is co-hosted with our partners at Pine Creek Conservation District, Whitman Conservation District, Rock Lake Conservation District, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, and Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association.

Registration is required by Tuesday, September 8. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/45xk32p6

07/29/2026

One of the biggest barriers to adopting soil health practices like cover crops is making them economically viable.

At the end of May, a FLOURISH participant near Hay, WA, seeded this field with a warm season cover crop mix treated with compost extracts. Just two and a half months later, the field is providing feed for chickens and will later be grazed by cattle.

By integrating cover crops with livestock, this producer is working to rebuild soil health while creating a system that supports both the land and the farm's bottom line.

Follow along as we track how this system impacts soil health, profitability, and resilience over the growing season.

This work is supported by the Conservation Innovation Grants program at the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

07/23/2026

Check out our new video to discover the benefits and challenges of integrating cover crops and livestock in the Inland Pacific Northwest.

Hear firsthand from producers David Dobbins (Hill View Farm JV), Clink Zenner (Zenner Family Farms), and Erin Ruehl and Doug Schuster (Westfield Properties, Inc), along with Palouse Conservation District staff, as they share their experiences with the livestock and cover crop integration component of the FLOURISH project. Learn what worked, the challenges they encountered, and how these practices help build healthier, more resilient farming systems.

View the video at inwflourish.org/videos.
This work is supported by the Conservation Innovation Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

06/29/2026

Cover crop seeding with a surprise guest!

Back in May, one of our FLOURISH producer participants planted a diverse cover crop mix—including peas, oats, sorghum sudangrass, sunn h**p, radishes, buckwheat, and sweet clover—to improve soil health and support beneficial soil microbes.

Later this summer, cattle will be incorporated for grazing, helping cycle nutrients and build on the soil health benefits of this demonstration.

Be sure to watch until the end for a special moose cameo!

06/24/2026

Last week, participants in the FLOURISH Project (Farmers Leading Our United Revolution in Soil Health) opened their gates and shared their experiences with fellow producers and community members during a series of on-farm tours near St. John, Washington.

Participants visited three farms to learn about a variety of soil health practices being implemented across the region, including cover crop and cattle integration, biological fertilizers, and innovative application methods. We also heard from researchers who shared updates on ongoing cover crop trials and the lessons being learned through their work.

One of the greatest strengths of the FLOURISH Project is the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. These field tours provided a valuable space for producers to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn directly from one another's successes and challenges.

A sincere thank you to the producers who generously hosted these tours and to everyone who joined us. Your willingness to share knowledge and build connections is helping strengthen the future of soil health across our region.

This work is supported by the Conservation Innovation Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

06/15/2026

Nodule…it’s a funny word, but when it comes to plants like peas or beans, it’s a little goldmine for your soil! These round bumps on the roots are formed by helpful bacteria that capture nitrogen from the air and store it in the soil. This natural fertilizer feeds future plants, reducing the need for extra chemicals. These nodules are huge on this plant—dig up a pea plant sometime and see for yourself!

06/06/2026

POXC (Active Carbon)

POXC measures a form of active carbon in soil — the portion that microbes can use right away for energy.

This type of carbon is especially helpful for tracking soil health because it responds quickly to management changes.

Practices like cover crops and livestock integration help increase active carbon by continually adding fresh plant material and root exudates to the soil.
More active carbon means more fuel for soil microbes and a more resilient soil system.

Cover crops and livestock help keep fresh carbon cycling through the soil.

This work is supported by the Conservation Innovation Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

05/22/2026

Why does it matter what cover crop mixes are being used?

Farmers across the Inland Pacific Northwest are using cover crops to:
• reduce erosion
• build organic matter
• capture leftover nutrients
• improve water infiltration
• support pollinators and beneficial insects

Different goals = different mixes—but diversity is key.