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NODPA’s 9th Annual Field Days And Producer Meeting
Thursday August 13 at Noon to Friday August 14th at 5:00 pm
Spring Wood Organic Farm, Kinzers, Pennsylvania
James Landis
Raised on dairy farms in eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina, James Landis and his family have owned dairy farms in Georgia since 1968. Along with his son and 2 sons-in-law, James is currently milking 1200 cows on 4 different farms in Georgia, with three of their seven children having chosen to be involved in dairying. Mr. Landis notes that dairying can be a way of life that fosters a deeply religious love for the soil, plants and animals, and for our fellow human beings, indeed for all living things.
After keeping years of cost/cwt records for their own dairy, the Landis’ developed a reliable base from which to evaluate where they are and where they want to go. James has created a cost/cwt spreadsheet program that he uses to assist farmers analyze the efficiency of their own dairy farms. He has observed dairying practices across the USA, and in 8 countries, and has used this experience to help farmers in seven states to design and purchase milking systems direct for a New Zealand manufacturer. Based on his work with Doug Parker, there are now simple, efficient milking systems in place in 9 states.
Directions to Spring Wood Organic Farm
1143 Gap Road, Kinzers, PA 17535
From Lancaster PA, start out going East on Lincoln Highway/US-30; turn right onto 41-S/Newport Pike; at stop sign (short distance), turn left onto Mine Road. Turn onto Gap Road, your first left. Travel 1.5 miles on Gap Road and the farm is on the left at 1143 Gap Road.
Accommodations
The Lancaster PA region has a variety of accommodations, and a quick internet search will put you in touch with a wide range of options. Those interested in camping at Roman Stoltzfoos’ farm should contact him directly.
Roman Stoltzfoos
Lisa McCrory
Jim Gardner
Hugh Karreman
Kathy Soder
THE SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 13
Noon-1 pm: Registration at Spring Wood Organic Farm, 1143 Gap Road, Kinzers, PA 17535
1-2 pm: Panel on the Benefits of Hedgerows and orientation to the pasture walk at Roman Stoltzfoos’ farm:- Roman Stoltzfoos, host and organic dairy farmer; Jim Gardiner, organic dairy farmer
- Lisa McCrory, NODPA News and Web Editor and organic farmer and Sarah Flack, NOFA-VT Organic Dairy and Livestock Advisor
In addition to hearing about hedgerows from Roman and others, Lisa and Sarah will describe how the pasture walk will be somewhat different: having educational stations in the fields.
2-4:00 pm: Pasture Walk with focus on hedgerows, forage quality, pasture management and more. Educational stations:
• Benefits of Hedgerows-Roman
Stoltzfoos
• Native Plant Identification- Kathy Soder, Animal Scientist, USDA-ARS
• Fence Lines and Water Systems-Sarah Flack
• Basics of Pasture Management-Lisa McCrory
• Forage Quality- Tim Fritz, Agronomist and President, King’s Agri-Seeds; Dwight Stoltzfoos, host and organic dairy farmer
4:30- 10 pm: Dinner and NODPA’s Annual Meeting at Spring Wood Organic Farm
Friday, August 144:30- 6:00 pm: Social Hour and Trade Show with light refreshments and beverages
6:00-7:30 pm: Chicken Barbeque with fresh local corn, potatoes, salads, finished off with homemade pie and Stoltzfoos’ delicious gelato (Italian Ice Cream)
7:30 pm: NODPA’s Annual Meeting:
- Welcome from Henry Perkins, NODPA President
NODPA Year in Review – Ed Maltby, NODPA
Executive Director- Reports from the regions and FOOD Farmers update
- Producer-Only Meeting follows
7:30-9:00 am: Registration, coffee and light breakfast
9-10 am: Balancing Rations on Pasture: Discussion on economically balancing rations in today’s economy
- Kathy Soder, Animal Scientist, USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA. Kathy’s research focuses on the nutrition and grazing behavior of ruminants.
- Ken Muckenfuss, KOW Consulting Assoc., dairy nutritionist
Sarah Flack, moderator, NOFA-VT Organic Dairy and Livestock Advisor
10-10:15 am: Coffee and Milk Break
10:15-11:15 am: Preventative Herd Health Care: Practical and Economical Ways to KeepYour Herd Healthy.
- Dr. Hue Karreman, VMD, Penn Dutch Cow Care, Lancaster, PA
- Jeff Mattocks, Fertrell, animal nutritionist
- Sarah Flack, moderator
11:30 am-12:30 pm: Keynote: The Beliefs That Drive Us and Counting The Cost to Produce One Hundred Pounds of Milk
James Landis will begin by talking about the beliefs that drive us. Next, he will focus on: separating production expenses from personal expenses; the difference between Capital Use costs and Operating Expenses; taking inventory; adjusting for inventory change; using actual figures rather than calculating figures.
12:30-1:30 pm: Make-Your-Own Sandwich Lunch Buffet and Door Prize Drawing: Fresh sandwich meats, cheeses, breads and salads, topped off with fresh fruit and homemade cookies.
1:30-2:30 pm: Striving for an Efficient Dairy
In James Landis’ afternoon session, he will focus on: the heart of the dairy: swift, simple, pleasant milking; mob handling; controlling feed costs; raising heifers on pasture; turning youngsters into adults.
2:30-4:30 pm: James Landis will lead a tour of the Stoltzfoos’ dairy operation to see how Roman and Dwight have applied Landis’ practical information to their farm enterprises.
