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CORVALLIS - Willamette Valley residents interested in farm ponds will have a chance to learn more about how to build and manage them at workshops at Clackamas Community College sponsored by Oregon State University, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Service districts and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

A Saturday, April 3, workshop, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will examine pre-construction issues and the steps in constructing a farm pond, according to Brian Tuck, an agent with OSU's Clackamas County Extension Office.

The April 3 workshop will explore reasons for having a pond, including options for use such as fish production, recreation and providing wildlife habitat, Tuck said. The session also will provide an overview of aquaculture and discuss issues such as pond site evaluation, water rights considerations, construction and other permits, pond liability concerns and pond design.

A workshop on Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will focus on useful tools for effective farm pond management. The workshop also will explore pond management objectives, principles of pond ecosystems, using a pond to enhance wildlife habitat, fish care and production, pond maintenance and weed control.

The cost for each workshop is $25 per person, which includes a packet of resource materials. The workshop fee is payable at the time of registration.

The pre-registration deadline is March 26 for the pond construction workshop and April 3 for the pond management workshop. To register call OSU's Clackamas County Extension Office at 503-655-8631. The workshops will be in the Gregory Forum on the Clackamas Community College campus.

Tuck noted that these workshops are the first in a series of small farm workshops and seminars to be presented in the Metro Area. For more information concerning the Metro Small Farms program contact the Clackamas County Extension Office, he suggested.