Cheap land prices or the desire to own your own little “slice of heaven”?  Whatever the reason, more people are moving onto small acreages in southern Big Horn County.  In an effort to ensure water quality isn’t impaired by these newcomers, the South Big Horn Conservation District board decided to reach out to these landowners and offer information and assistance in managing their property. On August 18, 2007, the SBHCD held a Small Acreage Workshop at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in cooperation with the Big Horn County Weed and Pest, Farm Bureau, NRCS and UW Cooperative Extension Service.

Nearly 50 people attended to hear experts in the fields of irrigation, water rights, grazing, mediation, native and xeriscape landscaping, septic systems and water quality as well as hands-on weed identification and sprayer calibration. Juli Harrison prepared the fantastic enchilada lunch and no one walked away hungry.  After lunch the group learned the intricacies of sprayer calibration from Weed and Pest Manager Ruth Richards. 

Originally, the SBHCD, Weed and Pest and Farm Bureau submitted a grant application to the Small Acreage Team at UW Cooperative Extension Service and received a $1200 grant. Unfortunately the grant money was not available at the scheduled workshop date so the three sponsors covered the costs themselves.  That grant money is still reserved for this group for another workshop.

Speakers included Rachel Mealor on exurbanites, Jim Gill-irrigated pastures, Russ Holzhauser-xeriscape and native planting, Jim Waller-septic systems and water quality, Dave Deutz-water rights issues, Barton Stam-grazing on a few acres, Ruth Richards-weed id and sprayer calibration, Laura Galloway-irrigation water management, and Larry Bentley –mediation and conflict resolution. Several agencies and companies set up booths or gave out freebies including:  Wind River Seed, South Big Horn Conservation District, J & E Irrigation, Big Horn County Weed and Pest, Wyoming Livestock Reporter donated copies of their latest newspaper, Backyard to Barnyards magazine. Door prizes were donated by Big Horn Coop, Big Horn County Weed and Pest, Wind River Seed, J & E Irrigation, Pepsi and Terra Logics.

Despite the blazing August heat and flies, workshop participants walked away with more knowledge of the subjects presented and a real desire for another workshop.  The next Small Acreage Workshop is planned for May 10, 2008.  Check back later for details on this upcoming seminar.

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