LIVESTOCK ADVISORS

"Premier" Extension Livestock Advisor (ELA) volunteers, Gary and Lois Fisher have logged more than 3000 hours in giving "best management practices" education to hundreds of livestock producers around Puget Sound. Mike Hackett, founder of the ELA program, pictured on right.

The WSU Extension Livestock Advisor (ELA) volunteer program began in Snohomish County, Washington in 1983. Ten brave producers took on the challenges involved in a pioneering effort. Since that humble beginning, 530 people from all phases of agriculture/agribusiness have been trained and certified. They live and work in all Western Washington counties and in some other counties east of the Cascade mountains.

ELA volunteers receive 120 hours of classroom and field experiences in all "important" animal species. They learn about water quality/animal nutrient management practices to ensure a cleaner watershed. Thousands of small farmers raise these animals and are assisted by ELA volunteers. They pay back 80 hours each for their training by working "one-on-one" with producers and 4-H leaders. Some ELA veterans have logged between 2000 and 3000 hours!

The ELA program has gone international - volunteers and staff have taken assignments in the Peace Corps, Winrock International and WSU International Program Development. They have worked in a "Farmer-To-Farmer" capacity in Canada, Bolivia, Russia, Indonesia. Kazakstan, Kyrgystan and Turkmenistan.

The ELA training in Northwest Washington is usually begun in January at the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Skagit County or the WSU Extension Snohomish County office. Contact our office for information and/or application packet.

For information about the WSU Livestock Advisor Program in King County, go to http://www.metrokc.gov/wsu-ce/Livestock/