Our Vision

Currently FRESH promotes the conservation of natural resources through active demonstration, education, and art. The goal of FRESH is to improve soil health, water quality, air quality, and habitat while inspiring current and future generations to implement conservation focused farming and restoration practices.

Ultimately, though, the vision is to let the land return to its natural habitat that characterizes the Palouse Region of eastern Washington – defined by wild grasslands; trees, and shrubs on the northern slopes of the rolling hills; and brushy lowlands. We want to re-establish as much open space as possible, with the hope that wildlife will continue to return as habitat is restored.

The goal is to become a steppingstone biological-corridor or wildlife bridge linking Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Escher Ranch, Steptoe Butte, and FRESH to the Snake River. (map) (& should these places have links?)

But in the interim, FRESH will continue to farm responsibly, implementing conservation practices, and to continue partnering with the Whitman Conservation District, the Palouse Conservation District, Washington State University, the Department of Ecology, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The intent is to continue to facilitate connection with university students, as well. This summer, faculty and students affiliated with San Diego State University, University of Central Missouri, and Wilfrid-Laurier University will start biodiversity baseline sampling of soil arthropods in the croplands, the pasturelands, land that has never been farmed on the property, as well as a cross section of the riparian areas. Flying insects and pollinators may be included in this study. The hope is to answer questions that are significant ecologically for the region related to best management practices and agriculture and to look at how different parameters change during conservation. This research is lacking in our region. Students will be helping as part of their experiential educational process.

For the last 3 years Bryan has partnered with the Department of Ecology, The Whitman Conservation District and the NRCS on a multiyear multiphase project to restore his riparian area. Hundreds of trees and shrubs have been planted to slow down the creek, catch more sediment, bring water levels up, control cattle access to the water, and create a better habitat. Two monitoring stations have been placed to track conditions of the water. He continues to work with WSU planting test plots. How he pastures his cattle – dividing the land into smaller segments and moving the animals more frequently – allows the land to recover. His goal has always been to restore the land, better cultivate the health of the soil, and improve habitat for wildlife.