05/30/08 Learn about "solar tractors" at Palouse Farm Walk

Washington Ag May 30, 2008 A 600 acre diversified crop and livestock operation north of Pullman will be the site for a Farm Walk this coming Monday. Eric Zakarison with the Zakarison Partnership says the family-run farm is trying to reduce fossil fuel inputs. Zakarison: "So we are moving to things like sheep-fallow to take care of weeds rather than using chemical fallow. We are using green manure crops. We have even brought draft animals back to our farm to start making some small steps toward being a little bit more energy independent. Basically what we are trying to do is use current solar energy through green manures and of course feed for the draft animals rather than using ancient solar energy which we normally burn in our tractors and trucks through fossil fuel." The "solar tractors" are draft mules and oxen but Zakarison says they still use large tractors, trucks and modern farm equipment too. The Farm Walk is Monday, June 2nd from noon to 3:30. The cost is ten-dollars for members of Tilth Producers of Washington and 15 dollars for non-members. A sack lunch is recommended. Zakarison Partnership is six miles north of Pullman on the west side of Highway 27. Tilth and Washington State University Small Farms Team sponsor the Farm Walks. I'm Bob Hoff.