NODPA Events Calendar

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March 2010

Saturday, March 6th - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
4th New Hampshire Grazing Conference - -
Southern NH University, Manchester, NH

We are excited to have two well-known grazing experts as our speakers this year - Greg Judy from Green Pastures Farm and Doug Gunnink from the Gunnink Forage Institute. Greg will discuss his success as a mixed-species grazier who used leased land to pay off his farm. Doug will focus on soil nutrients and the nutritional quality of pasture. Register on-line at https://www.events.unh.edu/RegistrationForm.pm?event_id=6502. Sponsored by the Granite State Graziers, with support from USDA-NRCS, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the North Country RC&D Council.

Monday, March 15th - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Mohawk Valley Graziers
Upstairs Fort Plain Firehouse, 362 Canal St., Fort Plain, NY

Come eat, chat, and learn with peers about pasturing techniques and management. Open to both small and large livestock producers, or anyone interested in starting up. We meet once per month, each session on a different topic and lunch will be served! This month's session will be "Grazing Plans, Infrastructure & Government Services" with speakers Rob DeClue and Tom Bielli. For more information contact Amanda Schaller at 518-853-4015 or amanda.schaller@ny.nacdnet.net. Sponsored in part by NY-GLCI.

March 15 – 16, 2010
New England Farm Energy Conference
Radisson Hotel, Manchester, NH
Keynote speaker Dr. Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), works with farmers, ranchers and communities on more sustainable ways of using energy and water. He is especially interested in irrigation, solar energy, and small-scale biofuels. There will be two concurrent tracks of presentations over the two days: Oil Seeds and Biodiesel and Greenhouse Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Contact: Heather Darby or Rosalie Madden at (802) 524-6501, or go to www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/out-croppings for more information.


Tuesday, March 16th - 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
13th Annual Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference
Tri-County Church, Dubois, PA

Interest in grazing is stronger than ever as farmers look for ways to lower input costs and meet the demand for locally-grown grass fed meat and milk products. Whether you are new to grazing or a veteran, this year's program offers something for everyone. For example, you will learn different ways to direct market products, discover the benefits of multi-species grazing, maximizing yield from a grass fed carcass from a meat processor, and see if a renweable energy watering system is right for you. Registration fee is $25 per person and includes a continental breakfast and hot buffet lunch. Pre-registration required by March 1st. More information is available at www.headwaterspa.org. For any questions, contact Headwaters RC&D at 814-375-1372 ext. 4.

March 17, 2010
[webinar] A Look at the Newly Released Organic Pasture Rule, with Dr. Kerry Smith, USDA, NOP
On February 12, 2010, the USDA announced details of the final regulation regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations. This rule amends the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to clarify livestock feed and living conditions provisions and specify the use of pasture in raising organic ruminants. In this webinar, Dr. Kerry Smith, USDA AMS National Organic Program, will give an overview of the main components of the Pasture Rule. The webinar will end with instructions for submitting any comments viewers may have on the new Rule to the NOP, as well as taking suggestions for further webinars on this topic.

View the full Winter/Spring schedule of eOrganic Farming and Research Webinars at: http://www.extension.org/article/25242

March 23, 24, 25, 2010
2010 Vermont Forage Days
March 23 St. Johnsbury Extension Conference Room
March 24 River Valley Technical Center in Springfield
March 25 Middlebury American Legion
Workshop day will cover:The latest grasses and legumes for hay, pasture and biomass energy; formulating the right forage mixtures for pasture and hay; Innovative pasture systems for reducing costs; A new look at using short season corn hybrids for better silage management and quality, and much more. For more information, call Anne Marie Resnik at (802) 656-0463 or email pss@uvm.edu

March 24, 2010
NOP Pasture Rule Training Session
Albany, NY
The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center
Registration from 7:30 to 8 am; training from 8 am to 3 pm
The National Organic Program (NOP) recently completed a training session on the Access to Pasture (Livestock) final rule on February 25, 2010 in La Crosse, WI. The NOP will be conducting additional Access to Pasture Rule training sessions New York, Colorado and California and these trainings are open to ALL. NOP will post more information about these sessions as they become available. Pre-registration is required.

To pre-register, contact Judith Ragonesi, Training Manager, National Organic Program at judith.ragonesi2@ams.usda.gov. For training updates, go to: www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop and click on Pasture Rulemaking Information on the right hand side of the page.

MARCH 25 & 26
KIWI FENCE TRAINING SCHOOL
STARTS 11 AM; REGISTRATION DEADLINE, MARCH 19
Kencove Farm Fence, 344 Kendall Road, Blairsville, PA

Kiwi Fence School is for those who want to learn how to install agricultural fencing, expand
service options, or improve skills. Taught by well-known and respected professionals in the industry,
the school offers the latest installation techniques and building options. It will be two
days of fast paced hands-on training outside regardless of weather, so come prepared.
CONTACT: Bonita Whalen (800) 536-2683 or (724) 343-9065

Saturday, March 27th – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Silvopasturing in the Finger Lakes – –
Edgerton’s Party House, 8600 State Route 21, Naples, NY

New research is showing that with the right techniques, you can intermingle sustainable livestock farming and forestry, using "silvopasturing" practices. Silvopasturing is a planned combination of high-value timber, high-quality forage, and highly-efficient livestock enterprises on the same parcel of land. It also includes techniques to establish timber in existing pastures to enhance pasture resources. This program will be an in-depth introduction to silvopasturing. It will explain how a farmer or rural landowner can use these practices to achieve income and farming goals, particularly on marginal or hilly land. The idea is to improve long-term woodlot and pasture areas while earning short-term income from properly managed beef cattle, goats, sheep, and other livestock. Fee: $25.00 per person ($15.00 for additional personnel from the same farm) and includes a full lunch and handouts. Please register by March 23, 2010 by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County at (585) 394-3977 x427 or e-mail nea8@cornell.edu.

MARCH 27
2010 CALF CLINIC
9 AM TO 12:30 PM
COST: FREE TO MEMBERS OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS, $35 FOR NONMEMBERS
MORNING REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED. RSVP BY 3/24
Clay Hill Farm, Hartland, VT

The clinic is hosted by Guy Crosby in Hartland Vermont. Dr Kent Anderson of Valleywide
Veterinary Services of Middlebury will be presenting the clinic. Dr Anderson is the Vermont
Beef Producers Association consulting veterinarian and also assists with our spring and fall
feeder cattle sales Attendees will learn what preparations are necessary to have a successful
calving season, the difference between a normal and diffi cult birth, and when to consult a veterinary in case of calving difficulties.

Other aspects covered will be: neo-natal calf care, the need and use of colostrums, calf management, castration, dehorning, and vaccinations. This program stresses the need for a complete year–round health management program for both brood cows, and calves through weaning.

There will be ample opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Hosting member organizations
include the VT Beef Producers Association, the VT Angus Association and the VT Grass Farmers Association.

CONTACT: David Mills at (802) 247-8886. RSVP requested, but walk ins welcome.

MARCH 28 OR APRIL 8 OR MAY 25 OR JUNE 11
BEYOND MILK! RAW DAIRY PROCESSING CLASSES
1 TO 4 PM
CLASSES $20-40, SLIDING SCALE, PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED
Multiple Locations, VT

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 benefi t Rural Vermont.

March 28th Metta Earth Institute Inc., Lincoln, VT
Soft Cheeses, Yogurt, & Kefir with Metta Earth staff

April 8th Hollister Hill Farm, Marshfi eld, VT
Mozzarella, Ricotta, & Fromage Blanc with Lindsay Harris of Family Cow Farmstand

May 25th Hollyhock Farm, Putney, VT
Chevre with Gay Foster

June 11th United Church of Hinesburg, Hinesburg, VT
Feta, Ricotta, & Chevre with Sara Armstrong Donegan of Trillium Hill Farm

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

Tuesday, March 30th – 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Productive Pastures
Candor Fire Hall, Candor, NY

With a shrinking economy and increasing costs, more and more livestock farmers are making use of New York’s pasturelands to reduce costs and improve profits. This workshop will help all grazing farmers improve the productivity of their pastures. Featuring Dave Mattocks with the Fertrell Company on the importance of feeding the soil to grow healthy crops, Bob Schindelbeck from Cornell on the physical properties of pasture soils and how to keep them healthy, and Karen Hoffman of USDA-NRCS on measuring your pastures productivity for good cow nutrition. Cost is $10 for 1st person from farm and $5 for additional people from same farm – lunch included. Pre-register with Sharon at 607-753-5078 orshv7@cornell.edu.

March 31, 2010, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Farm Transfer Workshop: Estate Planning, Health Care, and Generational Transition in Turbulent Times
Fireside Inn and Suites, 25 Airport Rd., West Lebanon, NH
Sponsored by: UVM Extension and UNH Cooperative Extension

Topics: Retirement in Turbulent Times
Estate Tax Laws and Planning
The Challenge of Bringing in the Next Generation
Medicare, Long Term Care, Medicaid, and Trusts
with Daphne Moritz, Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney

Click here for egistration and details.

Questions? Call Bob Parsons 802-656-2109, bob.parsons@uvm.edu, or Mike Sciabarrasi – 603-862-3234 or mike.sciabarrasi@unh.edu