Grand Opening of Farm Tool Library in White Salmon set for April 20

Tova Tillinghast, Underwood Conservation District Manager, grins, as the new building for the Farm Tool Library is delivered.

From Underwood Conservation District:

By Ruth Olin

Folks have been asking what the new shed at the Mt View Grange is all about - it’s a Farm Tool Library! A project of Underwood Conservation District, the Library of farm tools is for checkout and use by the community.

The Farm Tool Library is designed to provide conservation-oriented tools, such as a wheel plow, broadfork, and no-till drill, to farmers and gardeners. In order to borrow tools, one must first become a member. Tools are checked out online at www.ucdwa.org/farm-tool-library where you can also view pictures of the tools in the inventory and see when they are available.

The library will initially have open hours on Fridays from 12 to 2 pm. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Farm Tool Library, as there are a variety of odd jobs needed, may call UCD at 509-493-1936. Donations to the tool library must meet a specific set of criteria.

Underwood Conservation District’s Farm Tool Library is planned to be useful to a wide variety of farm types, including small-scale, commercial operations in need of occasional specialized equipment, urban gardeners growing their own food, and beginning or potential farmers exploring the feasibility of getting into agriculture. The majority of tools are meant to be used on occasions, such as seasonal bed-preparation or site-establishment, or to enhance conservation practices for improved soil health, invasive weed management, or pollinator habitat.

For patrons borrowing the tools, the UCD staff will promote best-management practices, techniques, and incentives to conserve natural resources and increase farm viability.

“The Farm Tool Library is one of the most relevant, immediate ways to be of service to the beginning or small-scale agricultural community,” said UCD Manager, Tova Tillinghast.

The public is invited to join a grand opening celebration of the Farm Tool Library at the Estes Avenue parking lot of the Mt View Grange on Wednesday, April 20, 4 pm to 6 pm. Part of the festivities includes a tool sharpening workshop at 4 pm given by Del Medenbach, woodshop teacher at Columbia High School.

Bring your hand gardening tools like shovels and hoes and get pointers as you sharpen. Del will have files available or folks can bring their own files.

“The Farm Tool Library is a great fit for the Mt View Grange,” said Ruth Olin of the Mt View Grange. “Today, Mt View Grange has a keen interest in living in harmony with our natural environment and the farm-to-food process. Part of the Mt View Grange Vision Statement is to advocate for sustainable food systems that leave the planet better than we found it.”

The Farm Tool Library is a place to learn about good gardening practices like water conservation, habitat creation and soil health. Farmer/gardeners are stewards of our environment, so it’s fitting that the Farm Tool Library opening falls close to Earth Day.

The Mt View Grange has joined Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network’s Earth Month. CGCAN promotes Earth awareness activities throughout April. Click here for the online calendar.

While attending the Farm Tool Library Grand Opening you can also meet the Gorge Farmers Collective.

The Collective runs an online farmers’ marketplace with selections of produce, flowers, meats, eggs, teas, breads, cheese, vinegars and other locally produced sundries. Pickup locations are located throughout the Gorge, and the Mt View Grange is White Salmon’s pick-up spot. The Collective’s mission is rooted in promoting and fostering local family farmers while providing customers with a diverse selection of some of the finest and freshest foods sustainably grown in the Gorge.

Come out to celebrate spring and new ways to get outside and into your garden with the new Underwood Conservation District Farm Tool Library on Wednesday, April 20, 4 pm to 6 pm at the Estes Ave. parking lot of the Mt View Grange in White Salmon. This is an outdoor, LIVE event.