Friday, October 2, 2026
Thurston County landowners and farmers now have access to more agricultural and gardening equipment amid a stricter and more organized rental system.
The Thurston Conservation District (TCD) revealed at its board meeting on March 25 the addition of new machinery, an update to sanitation policies, and replaced paper forms with an online reservation system.
Natural Resource Specialist Aimee Richardson said she worked on “getting the equipment program kind of into a cohesive system.”
She also said “all of the equipment now is updated on the website,” including a recently added poultry processing trailer that can handle up to 18 broilers at once and includes turkey cones in various sizes.
As a result of the upgrade, the rentals for the district’s poultry processing equipment now offers two, trailer-based processing units.
The standard trailer includes eight broiler cones, two 14.5-gallon electric scalders and a plucker. It weighs 1,130 pounds and rents for $60 with a $50 deposit, the official TCD rental page read.
On the other hand, the newly added high-capacity unit is housed in a 6x12 enclosed trailer, which can process up to 18 broilers and multiple turkeys simultaneously.
It also includes 18 broiler cones, four large and six medium turkey cones, a propane and electric scalder, a Pro-XL plucker, a 220-gallon chill tank, and a 10,500-watt generator.
The new unit weighs 2,400 pounds, rents for $90 and requires a $75 deposit.
For appropriate functionality, each trailer requires a 2-inch ball hitch and four-way flat electric hookup. The set rental period runs from Thursday to Monday.
“That allows for two days for us to address any issues and also for it to sit,” Richardson explained.
In terms of cleaning, sanitation is nonnegotiable for the equipment.
“We do have a good cleaning and sanitation protocol. I have talked to the WSDA (Washington State Department of Agriculture) vet to kind of reiterate what we’re doing. And he’s like, ‘Yeah, that sounds nice. Great,’” Richardson said.
According to her, the rental includes a “disinfection kit and brush,” and renters must clean the equipment, including wheels and trailer feet, before returning it.
“If it comes back dirty to and not to our standards, we have to ask them to take the unit back and clean it properly. If they will not do that … they get a block mark,” said Richardson, who explained that deposits are forfeited in such cases.
As part of the process, a checklist is reviewed and signed when equipment is issued and returned. Richardson confirmed that the TCD team uses the checklist to confirm all components, including small items like keys and blocks, are returned.
She then mentioned that Administrative Assistant Sophia Barashkoff “goes through the binders with the renter” with manuals and cleaning instructions attached to it.
To reduce paperwork and improve accuracy, the district transitioned to SmartSheet for reservations
Richardson further explained that through the digital system, the renter can complete one form, where they can request equipment and tools, select quantities, and schedule appointments.
The tool lineup, to date, includes shovels, weed wrenches, pruners and a shoulder broadcast spreader. Each tool rents for $5 per period with a $20 deposit.
In addition to hand tools, larger equipment is also available. Like the two manure spreaders, one with an 18-cubic-foot capacity and another with a 35-cubic-foot capacity, rent for $50 and $60 respectively. Both come mounted on trailers and are available this April through October.
Executive Director Sarah Moorehead revealed that most of the feedback from the program has been positive.
“Mostly, what we hear from people are that they are grateful they don’t have to help us pick the equipment up anymore and lift it into the back of something,” she shared.
The officials confirmed all poultry check-outs are scheduled on Thursdays and check-ins on Mondays, and Friday appointments are available only by request.
For general rental inquiries, contact Administrative Assistant Sophia Barashkoff at (360) 754-3588 or via email at tcdadmin@thurstoncd.com.
For technical assistance, contact Natural Resource Specialist Aimee Richardson at (564) 233-8129 or arichardson@thurstoncd.com.
All updated policies, prices and reservation forms are posted on the Thurston Conservation District website.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here