Bringing Discovery Farms® to King Conservation District
Discovery Farms® is a farmer-led on-farm research program. The goal of KCD Discovery Farms® program is to evaluate the effectiveness of on-farm conservation practices implemented by KCD.
Evaluating Dry Manure Storage Options for Water Quality Protection Phase 2
WaterWorks, Discovery Farms® Washington, and the King and Whatcom Conservation Districts conducted a collaborative study from October 2022 to March 2024 to evaluate how on-farm manure storage affects Puget Sound water quality. The research involved two farms, one managing horse manure and the other a mix of primarily sheep and poultry, utilizing concrete bins with and without roofs. To test soil leaching, four 4’ X 4’ wood enclosed manure cubes were monitored at a county park site, comparing tarp-covered and uncovered piles placed directly on grass. The team tracked weather data and manure temperatures while analyzing soil, manure, and liquid leachate for nutrient and fecal coliform bacteria concentrations.
View the Dry Manure Storage fact sheet!
Pt 1. Intro & Method
Pt 2. Analysis
Pt 3. Conclusions
Pt 4. Discussion
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Riparian Buffers on Agricultural Lands
In collaboration with Washington Department of Ecology to test the effectiveness of riparian buffers on agricultural land.
KCD Discovery Farms® White Paper
South South Discovery Farms®
Evaluating Dry Manure Storage Options for Water Quality Protection
American Farmland Trust, Discovery Farms® Washington, King Conservation District, and Whatcom Conservation District worked together to engage producers in a cooperative, on-the-ground research and demonstration project to assess, promote, and improve adoption of on-farm conservation practices that enhance water quality in Puget Sound.
Evaluating Dry Manure Storage Options for Water Quality Protection Across King County, WA Report