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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
April 28, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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April 28, 2011
 
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Shelton-Mason County Journal 0 I Journal photo by Natalie Johnson John Sampson, left, with Stephanie Bishop and Sue Sampson, talks about how his farm has worked with Mason Conservation to preserve the Oakland Bay watershed. Work: the land Flying E g Farm crowne :I conserva1ion farmer00 I e year for ".C I(i By NATALIE JOHNSON This month, the Mason Conser- vation District named Flying Dog Farm in Grapeview Conservation Farmer 0fthe Year for its efforts to preserve the land and surrounding ecosystem. For the last seven years, John and Sue Sampson, and recently with the help of manager Laura Freeman, have been working on building their farm in Grapeview. They have acquired everything from six Angus cattle, goats, lambs, chickens and a pack of pigs that fol- low them around like dogs. However along with improv- ing their livestock and farmland, the Samps0ns have also made significant strides in conserving their land, and the natural habitat aroundthem. :, : . "As a :Way of recognizing farm' ers, it's really important for us to make sure that we bring it back and .e folks like the Samp- sons who have done such a great job out here," district education and outreach coordinator Stepha- nie Bishop said. %Vith all the work we've done on the Oakland Bay watershed, to be able to award a farmer in the watershed is all the better." John Sampson, a retired nucle- ar submarine officer, has lived on farmland in the past, but had nev- er developed a farm to the level of Flying Dog Farm before, he said. "The family has had a lot ofacer- age before and had a 600 acre farm in Wisconsin ... I had some experi- ence with the lifestyle," he said. From the beginning, the Samp- sons worked with the district to better manage their land. One of the projects recognized by the conservation district is a manure composter. The compos- ter is a concrete pad with three walls and a roof to keep manure runoff from getting into Oakland Bay. Manure, along with degraded septic systems, is one of the ways bacteria gets into Oakland Bay, Bishop said. '%Ve're quite pleased with it," Sampson said. Also, the conservation district helped the farm install fencing to protect wetland areas from live- stock. Sampson said that the conserva- tion district has been an invaluable resource in managing their land. "First off it's a great source of advice they solve problems in a better way," he said. 'V'hat I re- ally like about it from a practical standpoint is not only do they of- fer advice but they've got money and they will help you do the right thing." The biggest project however, was to replace an old railway bridge that had collapsed into Deer Creek during the floods of 2007. "A state biologist came out here in her wetsuit with a 20 foot long telescopic pole and was trying to find a way through for the fish and couldn't ... it was a complete block to fish passage," Sampson said. The old bridge had to be re- moved, and the farm needed a bridge for access to more land on the other side of the creek. Ma- son Conservation stepped in and helped the farm plan and engi- neer the project, and helped write a grant to cover the substantial cost. In the end, the results well justi- fied the cost, Sampson and Bishop said. "It was nine and a half miles of upstream habitat that was affected by the dam," Sampson said. The Sampsons, and Freeman, said they were content to live on the farm, and take joy from breed- ing and nurturing their livestock, and continuing to manage their farmland with the help of Mason See Cookin' on page B-5 Journal photo by Natalie Johnson Volunteer Michael Howart came to the first Mason County Veteran's Stand Down to show his support for other local veterans. Mason County stands down for local veterans By NATALIE JOHNSON Veteran's organizations from throughout Mason County came together Friday for the County's first Veterans Stand Down. At the event, held at the Shel- ton Memorial Hall, volunteers of- fered support to needy veterans in the form of free meals, hygiene products, help navigating veter- ans services, and help applying for a job. About 16,000 veterans live in Mason County, said American legion v01unter lt Laserink6. 'qnat's veterans of all periods from World War II to now ... I think it's very important that they know that people out there do care about them," he said. After attending a similar event in Olympia in December, Laserinko decided to work to bring a stand down event to Ma- son County. "I got to talking and thinking, as long as I've lived in Shelton and mason county, I've never seen or heard of anybody want- ing to do it, so we're doing it," he said. The day started early with breakfast and tables set up for help with applying for veterans services. In the afternoon, volun- .- teers put on a hiring workshop. Although everyone was. wel- come, the program is geared to- wards helping homeless or unem- ployed veterans. Laserinko said th 6xad number of veterans See Veterans on page B-5 . Annual Plant Sale May 7 Two beautiful Easter morn- lend assistance in moving any ing services were held this past healthy shrubs and trees you Sunday on the island. I guess want to donate. All kinds of that shows a little growth here plant starts are welcomed, and on our quietly secluded piece of those include ground covers, se- paradise, dums, perennials, pond and bog April 22 was Earth Day and I plants, and especially spring and think one of the themes for Earth summer tubers. Keep the sale in Day is to buy local. I know I hear mind as a handy, local resource that on the KMAS located at as you begin to plan your own 1030 on your AM dial radio sta- summer garden. Profits from tion all the time. And I'm looking the plant sale contribute to the forward to doing that upkeep of the hall, it's as summer approaches surrounding landscape and our own farmers and other island beauti- market opens. Another fication projects. If you theme seems to be re- need more information cycling and here on or need help with a do- the island we do that nation give Barbara La- all the time - thanks June a call at 432-9712. to Nick Neuerburg anti It's time for another his group, plus all the MIKE Harstine Island Choir €omposting island gar- CALLAGHAN Concert and they want : deners do to make their to let you know about it gardens grow. And also, even if you can't come. Earth Day ties right in with the But, naturally, they would love idea of planting trees, those most it if you can keep one of the three spectacular fall color red-orange- dates/times free to attend a con- yellow trees, cert. Their promotion starts with I always enjoy writing about do you remember your first date the Senior Lunch, but I don't get or first kiss? Maybe you remem- by there enough to enjoy their ber that cute blue-eyed boy who great food - I've got to change broke your heart in the third my habits. May 4 they will be grade or even spying on your serving meatloaf along with sister with her boyfriend on the baked potato, green salad and front porch. Come relive those bread pudding - oh that sounds memories, and make new ones, good. Get there a little before with Harstine Island Communi- noon so you can find a place, they ty Choir's spring concert "Heart have been filling up the chairs Beats." "Heart Beats" covers and with warmer weather com- the landscape and the language ing, there will surely be more of love in song- from medieval people finding their way to the despair to century passion, from dinning tables, the classic sound of French ro- Harstine Island Garden Club mance to seductive tropical sent us a reminder that the an- tones. nual plant sale is coming up on Mark your calendar on May Saturday, May 7. This gives you 20, 21 or 22 to join the Harst- a few more days to dig, divide ine Island Community Choir and donate your overly abun- for an afternoon or evening of dant plants and shrubs. The Garden Club members will See Harstine on page B-5 Thursday, April 28, 2011 - Shelton-Mason County Journal- Page B-1