Held on Wednesday January 21st 2026 at The Water and Environmental Center on the Walla Walla Community College Campus- 640 Water Center Dr, Walla Walla, WA 99362 from 8 am- 12: 15 pm.
Our Annual Conservation Meeting brought together regional agricultural producers, conservation partners, and agency leaders for a full morning of timely updates and science-based learning. The event opened with remarks from District Manager Annie Byerley, followed by partner updates from the USDA Farm Service Agency, Walla Walla County Noxious Weed Board, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Grant Smith of the Washington State Department of Agriculture provided critical pesticide updates, with attendees earning anticipated WA and OR pesticide recertification credits. Educational presentations highlighted managing soil acidity in the Inland Northwest by WSU Extension Agronomist Rachel Wieme, weed program research updates from OSU Associate Professor Judit Barroso, and wildfire rehabilitation and annual grass control strategies from OSU Extension Agent Jacob Powell. The morning concluded with a hosted lunch, offering participants valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration.