NODPA Events Calendar

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June 2010

June 8, 2010
Organic Dairy and Animal Health Field Day
Dale and Carmene Pangrac, Kim and Andy Olson, Prime Pastures Organic Dairy, Lewiston, MN

During the visit to the Dale and Carmen Pangrac 450 acre farm near Lewiston MN from Noon to 3 PM, we will discuss growing organic livestock feed crops (barley, corn, hay) and grazing of organic dairy cattle. In addition, veterinarian Dr. Paul Detloff, staff veterinarian with Organic Valley will be present to discuss overall animal health and give a short workshop on “Reading the Bovine Haircoat to Assess Animal Health”. This fascinating tool, useful for all types of cattle, aids the farmer in assessing the functioning and health of glands as well as overall animal health. Good crop yields rely on good weed management and the use tine weeders as well as flame weeding will be reviewed. Healthy soils and good management direct relate to high quality milk and maintaining healthy dairy cows. Anyone interested in learning more about transitioning to, or improving their organic operation, as well as observing practices which can receive cost share funds through the Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP program for water and soil quality conservation activities (crop rotations, cover crops and intensive grazing are all fundable) will find this field day worthwhile.

Contact Kristin Jurcek 920-342-9504, MOSES registration.

Tuesday, June 8th 10am-Noon
Weed Control in Small Grains
Central Susquehanna Valley Organic Crop Growers’ Network
To Be Held At White Frost Farm, Kit and Cathy Kelley, 909 Washingtonville Road, Danville, PA
(The farm is at the corner Route 254 and Fairview Road, one-half mile west of Washingtonville.)

Penn State Extension teams up with local organic crop growers to offer an on-farm educational opportunities for farmers interested in organic production of agronomic crops. Free and open to all interested persons. For more information, contact Dave Hartman, Penn State Extension, at 570-784-6660 ext. 12 or dwh2@psu.edu

June 8-19, 2010
Midwestern Bioag Offers Free Grazing Workshops
Lancaster and Franklin Counties, Pennsylvania

Karl Dallefeld is a forage specialist for Barenbrug and MBA, and is a grazier/grass-finisher, and manager of Iowa-based Prairie Creek Seed Company. Karl continually investigates the advantages and disadvantages of grass-based production systems, looking at practical on-farm applications. In this workshop, Karl will address: *Managing soil for quality forage; *Grass-based system management & grazing; * Pasture species identification; * Biological and financial benefits of a tight crop/pasture rotation; * How to determine dry matter intake from pasture.

MBA offers specialized soil and plant tissue analysis, a complete consulting package including dairy nutrition and exclusive, top-of-the-line biological and organic products to support our program including soil correctives, fertilizers, livestock minerals, seed, inoculant, Bio-Vet ™ direct-fed microbial livestock products, and Dr. Karreman’s organic treatments for dairy cattle. Call Rebecca Brown (MBA Consultant) for more information: 774-521-6100.

JUNE 11
BEYOND MILK! RAW DAIRY PROCESSING CLASS
1 TO 4 PM
CLASS $20-40, SLIDING SCALE, PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED
June 11th United Church of Hinesburg, Hinesburg, VT
Feta, Ricotta, & Chevre with Sara Armstrong Donegan of Trillium Hill Farm

Learn how to make all kinds of delicious dairy goods in your own kitchen. With some simple
instruction and good quality raw milk, it’s easy. Rural Vermont is partnering with raw milk
farmers to bring you both. Classes will cover dairy processing basics, and will include info
about how and where to purchase local, raw milk. All proceeds benefit Rural Vermont.

CONTACT: Rural Vermont at (802) 223-7222 or shelby@ruralvermont.org

June 12, 2010
Dairy Farm Success Through Diversity Field Day: Rotational Grazing, Transition to Organic Dairy, Cheese-Making and Raw Milk Production
Robinson Farm, Hardwick, Massachusetts

Presenters include Stephen Herbert (UMass), Tom Akin (NRCS), Winton Pitcoff (NOFA/Mass), and our hosts and operators of Robinson Farm, Ray and Pam Robinson. The day includes a walking tour of the farm along with explanation of management techniques provided by the presenters. For full information on this event, including registration info, please see:

http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/dairyfieldday.php

Registration for this workshop is $35. The NOFA membership discount is $5. The early registration (by May 29) discount is $5. Contact: Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374. By email, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org; put “June 12” in subject.

June 17-18, 2010
Vermont Veterinary Medical Association Summer Meeting
Burlington Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont

Featuring Scott Hurd, DVM, PhD, a leading expert in global food safety and emerging infectious diseases, and Dr Paul Rapnicki, and instructor at the University of Minnesota. Dr Hurd will present ‘Antimicrobial Resistance’ and Dr Rapnicki will present ‘Coordinating Mastitis Control – from Prevention to Treatment’. For more information contact Kathy Finnie, Email: Kathy@vtvets.org, Phone: 802-878-6888 or visit the VVMA website: www.vtvets.org.

June 22-24, 2010
3-Day Intensive with Ian Mitchell-Innes
Eagle Hill School, Hardwick, MA

Learn about mob grazing and ultra high stock density grazing, holistic planned grazing, holistic financial planning, how energy equals money, and fencing, herding, and watering with Ian Mitchell-Innes, Certified Holistic Management Trainer and South African rancher. Cost: $600 for three days, plus $200 for room and board. Contact Ridge Shinn at Rotokawa Cattle Company at 413-477-6500 or ridge@rotokawacattle.com for more information.

June 29, 2010 and July (date to be announced
Webinar by International Organic Inspectors Association (www.ioia.net)
Verifying compliance to NOP Pasture Rule, 9 a.m.-12 PDT, 10-1 MDT, 11-2 CDT, 12-3 EDT. Limited to 20 people each session. Fee of $125 for IOIA members and $175 Non-members.

This essential session for the livestock inspector or reviewer will prepare participants to verify compliance with the new NOP Pasture Rule. Co-presenters are Garry Lean of Ontario and Sarah Flack of Vermont. The course includes pre-course reading assignments. It is geared for inspectors with an understanding of livestock inspection.

The session will review the new regulations and provide inspection tools and guidance to verify them. Topics include basic grazing management; an overview of the various common grazing systems for ruminants; factors that cause pasture Dry Matter Intake (DMI) to go up or down; methods for determining Dry Matter Demand (DMD); and an introduction to making quantitative and qualitative assessment of pasture. The course focuses primarily on cattle dairy operations but also includes information for beef, sheep, and goats. Participants will see examples of DMI calculations and work sample exercises.