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2 CapitalPress.com June 10, 2016 People & Places Building a better fish screen Farmers Conservation Alliance’s designs more efficient Western Innovator Capital Press Farmers Conservation Alliance Organization: Nonprofit group aimed at irrigation system modernization Founded: 2006 Executive director: Julie Davies O’Shea Employees: 5 Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press Headquarters: Hood River, Ore. Dan Kleinsmith, project manager for the Farmers Conservation Alliance, and Julie Davies O’Shea, the nonprofit’s executive director, explain the functioning of a large, customized fish screen in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. cept was licensed to the new- ly formed Farmers Conserva- tion Alliance with the goal of commercializing the technol- ogy so other irrigators could also benefit from it. Since then, the nonprof- it has installed about 40 of the screens, which cost from $15,000 to roughly $1 mil- lion, depending on the size of the diversion and level of customization. Initially, the fish screens were approved by federal au- thorities on an experimental basis. However, widespread adoption would require prov- ing to the National Marine Fisheries Service that they don’t harm fish protected un- der the Endangered Species Act. “To scale our business, we had to become a NMFS-ap- proved technology,” said Julie Davies O’Shea, the alli- ance’s executive director. The process was financial- ly taxing, as the nonprofit had to test the screen’s function at various water levels and fish life stages, she said. The alliance nearly went out of business before finally winning clearance from fed- eral authorities in 2011, but O’Shea said she doesn’t want to “vilify” the government because the process was new for everyone. Old fish screen designs were “grandfathered in” the federal system, so the alli- ance had to “face the reality” of having the first new tech- nology to receive more thor- ough vetting, she said. O’Shea said she hopes their experience will make it easier to gain approval for fu- ture irrigation improvements developed by farmers and others in agriculture. “How do we transfer that knowledge?” she said. The basic idea behind the Farmers Screen —— of wa- ter moving horizontally over a flat screen — wasn’t new, but it never caught on be- cause it didn’t work correct- ly, said Kleinsmith, who’s now a project manager for the alliance. The concept was none- theless attractive due to the possibility of reduced main- tenance costs. “We liked the idea of wa- ter traveling over the top of something rather than slam- ming into something,” Klein- smith said. An important refinement of the Farmers Screen is that water flows into a channel that gradually becomes nar- rower. This feature is key be- cause the amount of water in the channel decreases as it falls through the screen at the bottom. If the channel was the same width, the speed of the water would diminish toward the end. However, because the channel is tapered, the water doesn’t lose velocity. Because of that, debris is prevented from settling on the screen and causing clogs, Annual revenue: $318,000 (in 2014) Website: http://fcasolutions. org Kleinsmith said. “We’re counting on the water to sweep the screen off.” Aside from installing fish screens, the alliance also helps other irrigation districts to modernize in other ways. For example, replacing open canals with pipelines re- duces water loss from evapo- ration and seepage, while also creating enough water pres- sure to generate hydropower. However, many irrigation systems were built upwards of a century ago, so upgrad- ing them to become more ef- ficient is akin to fitting new parts onto an antique truck, O’Shea said. The alliance assists irriga- tion districts with retrofits, in- cluding finding partners who can provide funding. “There’s so much oppor- tunity for environmental im- provement,” O’Shea said. Washington dairy ambassador coronation set for Tacoma Six young women will compete to become the new Washington State Dairy Am- bassador on Saturday, June 25, at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. The ambassador program, sponsored by the Washington State Dairy Women, provides professional and educational opportunities for young wom- en in Washington state. The young women chosen to serve as Washington’s Ambassadors for Milk receive a college scholarship, internships and extensive communications training. It will also be a time to say “thank you” to 2015- 2016 State Dairy Ambassador Nicole Buell of Marysville and State Alternates Aman- da Howe of Bellingham and Lydia Johnson of Ethel, said Tammi Schoenbachler, state ambassador adviser. “They have done a fantas- tic job representing the Dairy Farmers of Washington this past year,” she said in a press release. Seating will begin at 5 p.m. in the ballroom with the program starting at 5:30. The event will be in a new Calendar Alicia Smaciarz Allyson Carothers venue this year. The conven- tion and trade center is at 1500 Broadway in Tacoma. For ticket information, contact Gloria Edwards at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or phone 360-273-7313. All ticket orders must be received no later than June 10. Tickets will not be available at the door. The six contestants com- peting to become the 61st Washington State Dairy Am- bassador are: • Snohomish County: Bec- ca Bartelheimer, 18, is the daughter of Ryan and Mi- chelle Bartelheimer and will graduate from Snohomish High School in June. She has been involved in 4-H, FFA, and the Washington State Jr. Holstein Association. She has shown dairy cattle for the past 9 years at area fairs and Sponsored by: To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Monday, June 13 Summer Water Law and Re- source Issues Seminar, Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho. (208) 344-6690, http://www.iwua.org Tuesday, June 14 Summer Water Law and Re- source Issues Seminar, Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho. (208) 344-6690, http://www.iwua.org Wednesday, June 15 Jump on the Biocontrol Bus: In- troductory Biological Pest Manage- ment for Nurseries & Greenhouses, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This workshop and Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate officer John Perry Chief operating officer By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI HOOD RIVER, Ore. — The Farmers Conservation Alliance was born of de- struction, or more precisely, destruction that inspired cre- ativity. Twenty years ago, rushing floodwaters uprooted trees, knocked out bridges and de- molished irrigation equip- ment in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. Faced with a clean slate, growers in the Farmers Irri- gation District decided to re- build a more efficient system than the one that had been washed away. Clogged fish screens were a common problem at the old system’s irrigation diversions. Not only would someone fre- quently have to remove the debris, but the mechanical de- vices regularly needed repair. “Any time you have mov- ing parts, they just wear out,” said Dan Kleinsmith, a former project manager for the dis- trict. Before the flood, the Farmers Irrigation District spent about $90,000 annu- ally to operate and maintain its fish screens, which stop salmon, steelhead and other native fish from swimming into irrigation lines and pipes while keeping them clear. Developing their unique replacement “Farmers Screen,” which relies on rushing water instead of ma- chinery to keep the screens clear, turned out to be a heavy investment — roughly $2.5 million over 10 years. In 2006, the screen con- Capital Press educational tour/demonstration will show new approaches to managing common pests on nursery plants. Field and greenhouse growers will learn beginning methods of biolog- ical control, and will be offered in English and Spanish. Featuring Su- zanne Wainwright-Evans, Buglady Consulting, and Robin Rosetta, Oregon State University Extension horticulturalist. Pre-registration re- quired. OSU North Willamette Re- search & Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora. Cost $20 morning workshop, $35 morning workshop plus educational tour and demonstration. Lunch provided. Website: http://bit.ly/26BIy76 Friday, June 17 Going Further on the Bio- Control Bus: Advanced Biological Pest Management for Nurseries & Greenhouses, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Advanced biological control work- shop and tour/demonstration. This Becca Bartelheimer Caitlin Meek worked on the family farm. After attaining an agribusi- ness degree, Becca would like to have a career in agricultural finance. • Snohomish County: Ally- son Carothers, 18, of Monroe is the daughter of Marty and Nancy Carothers and graduat- ed from Monroe High School last June. Allyson was a mem- ber of Monroe FFA, holding several offices. She showed dairy cattle for 5 years. Al- lyson is attending college to attain her degree in environ- mental science. • Grays Harbor County: Caitlin Meek, 19, of Roches- ter is the daughter of Cory and Kendra Meek and will gradu- ate from Futurus High School in June. Caitlin is a member of FFA and 4-H. She received her first dairy calf, Sweety, when she was in eighth grade and Jana Plagerman Tiana Peterson has been involved in the dairy industry ever since. Although Caitlin has already graduated from Centralia Beauty Col- lege, she plans to continue her education in dairy and hopes to someday have a small dairy farm and a hair salon. • King and Pierce counties: Tiana Peterson, 19, of Gra- ham is the daughter of Tom and Bianca Peterson. She is homeschooled and will grad- uate in June. Tiana has shown her Guernsey cow in open class at the Washington State Fair for the last 4 years. Her small family farm also in- cludes a Guernsey heifer and small animals. Tiana plans to attend college to pursue a de- gree in public relations, which would help her with her two greatest passions — commu- nicating with people and the dairy industry. • Whatcom County: Jana Plagerman, 20, of Lynden is the daughter of Leroy and Rhonda Plagerman and a graduate of Whatcom Com- munity College. Jana works on her family’s dairy farm, where she is responsible for many jobs, including calf and cow care, milking, breeding and field work. Jana plans to further her education by getting her degree in dairy science or agribusiness and to be an advocate for the dairy in- dustry. • Lewis County: Alicia Smaciarz, 18, of Raymond is the daughter of Terry and Lana Smaciarz and will graduate from Willapa Val- ley High School in June. Ali- cia is involved in FFA and 4-H. She lives and works on her family’s dairy farm. She plans to further her educa- tion by getting a degree in biology with a career goal of becoming a laboratory technician at a hospital. She would also like to remain in the dairy industry by be- ing a 4-H leader and raising replacement heifers for her family’s dairy. GASES / WELDING / SAFETY / FIRE 20 Northwest Locations day is limited to a grower audience with some experience. OSU North Willamette Research & Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Au- rora, Ore. Cost: $35. http://www. pesticide.org/advanced_biologi- cal_pest_2016 Pruning to Restore White Pine workshop in Sandpoint, Idaho. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-register by June 10. Registration fee is $20. (208) 263-8511 http://extension.uidaho. edu/bonner/ Saturday, June 18 ATFS 75th Anniversary Cele- bration, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrating 75 years of sustainable forestry and honoring tree farmers. Montesano High School and Lake Sylvia State Park, Montesano, Wash. www.wa- farmforestry.com Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1 p.m., Glenwood Rodeo Grounds, 63 Trout Lake Highway, Glenwood, Wash. http://Business.gorge.net/ glenwoodrodeo Tractor-Truck-Garden Tractor Pull. This is the Oregon Tractor Pullers Association’s annual Fa- ther’s Day pull, all tractors are welcome. Venue: Schurman’s Iron Ranch, Ridgefield, Wash. www.or- egontractorpullers.com Sunday, June 19 Ketchum Kalf Rodeo, 1 p.m., Glenwood Rodeo Grounds, 63 Trout Lake Highway, Glenwood, Wash. http://Business.gorge.net/ glenwoodrodeo Wednesday, June 22 Idaho Cattle Association Summer Roundup, Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River, 414 E. First Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. www.idahocattle.org/ Thursday, June 23 Idaho Cattle Association Sum- mer Roundup, Red Lion Templin’s Hotel on the River, 414 E. First Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. www.idaho- cattle.org/ Friday, June 24 Alpacas at the Gathering, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Alpacas join the sheep and goats at the Black Sheep Gathering, with fleece, yarn, socks, scarves and more. Fleece show as part of BSG Wool Show & Sale. Lane County Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene, Ore. Cost: free. www.al- pacafarmsoregon.org Saturday, June 25 Washington State Dairy Ambas- sador Coronation, 5 p.m., Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway. For ticket information, contact Gloria Edwards at gloria.wsdw@hotmail.com or phone 360-273-7313. All ticket or- ders must be received no later than June 10. Tickets will not be avail- able at the door. Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. 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