Tuesday, June 11th Madras, OR Field Day

Agenda:

• 8:00 AM: Arrive at Obsidian Seed Company. Address: 2751 NE McFarland Lane, Madras, OR 97741
  • Rainfall Simulator & PowerPoint Presentations led by Ray Archuleta and Alejandro Carillo
• 11:00 AM: Lunch (provided)
• 11:45 AM: Drive to cropped fields and adjacent rangelands.
• 2:30 PM: Tour concludes.

About Obsidian Seed Farm: Sean Vibbert is the 6th generation farmer of this land along Mud Springs Creek at Gateway, north of Madras.  Almost 30 years ago, his father started adding microbes and humates to the soil worn out by conventional farming. Sean credits this far-sighted thinking with keeping the farm viable and making it the second largest wildflower seed operation in the United States.  His family wouldn't still be farming if they hadn't started on the path of soil health all those years ago.

Website: http://www.obsidianseed.com/

About the Target Audience:

Croplands: This tour will cater to all farmers with irrigated land, including commercial seed growers as well as hay and vegetable growers, small-scale farmers, and hobby farmers. With irrigation water allocation reduced by half due to drought, our focus is on equipping farmers with strategies to maximize soil water retention and crop yields for sustainable crop production.

Rangeland: We will also discuss rangeland health and management including strategies for maximizing livestock forage, although Vibbert's lands aren't currently grazed.

Please be advised: Transportation to and during the field days will not be provided. We encourage participants to consider carpooling for convenience. Kindly ensure you come prepared with appropriate footwear, as the terrain may be uneven. Additionally, we recommend bringing a hat and sunscreen to ensure your comfort and protection from the sun during the outdoor activities.