NODPA Events Calendar

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September 2008

Monday, September 4, 11 - 3 PM
Pasture Walk at Springside Farms, New Vineyard, Maine
Sponsored by the Maine Grass Farmers' Network
Randall and Jill Bates and family. Bring a bag lunch if you want to visit both farms and stay for farming conversation! Randall's family started shipping milk in 1989, became certified organic in 2005. They are currently milking 35 cows, and have about 80 total. They have always grazed during spring, summer, and fall. The farm is made up of two farms one mile apart. Heifers at the home farm are in a rotational grazing system where they move every 2 or 3 days. The Holbrook Farm, or milk farm, which belonged to Randall's grandmother, has permanent pasture for the milk cows. Randall plans to start setting up a rotational grazing system with fences and water to individual paddocks starting this summer. Other summer plans include seeding a couple of acres with sudan/sorghum. They also grow squash, pumpkins, and potatoes on about two acres.

The Bates live at 577 Anson Valley Road in New Vineyard, which is route 234. The pasture walk will start at what Randall calls the milk farm, which is on the Holbrook Rd, a dead end dirt road. Take 234 about three miles in from Route 27 in New Vineyard, turn left onto Holbrook, which is a dirt road. Or take 234 from North Anson, go about eight miles, turn right on Holbrook. Go to the end. See Map 21 in the atlas. Call 652-2375 for more information.

September 4
Organic Grain & Forage
@ Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Bridgeton, NJ
With data from multi-year trials of organic corn and soybeans, Rutgers Cooperative Extension is excited grow the supply of organic grain and forage.  Join us for this important informational workshop featuring their findings and recommendations for equipment and techniques, as well as yield and price expectations for organic production.  Includes wagon tour of the farm, followed by veggie burgers and refreshments.  For farm address and contact information, visit http://www.nofanj.org

September 9, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Infrastructure on Mixed-Livestock Farms
Tufts University Farm, North Grafton, MA
Part of the 2008 Grazing Workshop/Pasture Walk Series
NOFA/Mass, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of Grazing Workshops as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. Topics at each event will vary, but will include pasture management, organic transition and herd health, forage species, soil fertility, fencing and water systems, and summer and winter grazing. Please bring your own lunch. For more information on any of the sessions, contact Winton Pitcoff, NOFA/Mass, at winton@nofamass.org or 413-634-5728; Steve Herbert, UMass Extension, at 413-545-2250 or sherbert@pssci.umass.edu; or Tom Akin, NRCS, at 413-253-4365 or thomas.akin@ma.usda.gov.
 
More details about each grazing workshop, including directions to the farms, can be found at www.nofamass.org/programs/organicdairy/index.php or www.massgrass.org.

Wednesday September 10th 10am-1pm
Organic Dairy Grazing and Animal Health Management
Taconic End Farm, Leicester, VT
Part of the 2008 NOFA-VT Organic Pasture & Livestock Management Workshop Series. Runs through October. Check other months in Calendar for other events.

Pasture walk and lunchtime discussion with Annie Claghorn and Sarah Flack on health care treatments and prevention for an organic dairy herd including homeopathy, herbs and other materials. Co-hosted with the VT Pasture Network at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Take Rt. 7 to Leicester. Go west on West Rd. Bear left at first Y, at 2nd intersection, which is a T, turn left. Farm is first on the right. Annie Claghorn and Catlin Fox 247-3979

FREE for all organic and transitioning dairy & livestock farmers. $10 NOFA-VT members, $15 non-members. Resource materials and books from the NOFA-VT bookstore will be available for sale. Drinks and snacks provided. BYO lunch.

To register, or for more information about any workshop including directions:
Contact NOFA-VT: 434-4122; info@nofavt.org

Thursday September 11th 10am-12pm
Organic Dairy Grazing
Maple Lane Farm, Cabot, VT
Part of the 2008 NOFA-VT Organic Pasture & Livestock Management Workshop Series. Runs through October. Check other months in Calendar for other events.

Pasture walk lead by Paul Stecker and Willie Gibson with discussion of organic livestock management, healthcare, fly control, record keeping, grazing, forage quality and more.

From Rt 2 Marshfield- Take Rt. 215 into Cabot across from post office take Right on to Danville Hill Rd. After 1 mile turn left on to Menard Rd. Farm is 3/4 mile down on. Paul and Kristine Stecker 563-2646

FREE for all organic and transitioning dairy & livestock farmers. $10 NOFA-VT members, $15 non-members. Resource materials and books from the NOFA-VT bookstore will be available for sale. Drinks and snacks provided. BYO lunch.

To register, or for more information about any workshop including directions:
Contact NOFA-VT: 434-4122; info@nofavt.org

September 17, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
UMass Pasture Management Research
UMass Research and Education Center Farm, Deerfield, 413-545-2250
Part of the 2008 Grazing Workshop/Pasture Walk Series
NOFA/Mass, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Massachusetts Extension have organized a series of Grazing Workshops as a continuing education resource for Massachusetts farmers. Topics at each event will vary, but will include pasture management, organic transition and herd health, forage species, soil fertility, fencing and water systems, and summer and winter grazing. Please bring your own lunch. For more information on any of the sessions, contact Winton Pitcoff, NOFA/Mass, at winton@nofamass.org or 413-634-5728; Steve Herbert, UMass Extension, at 413-545-2250 or sherbert@pssci.umass.edu; or Tom Akin, NRCS, at 413-253-4365 or thomas.akin@ma.usda.gov.
 
More details about each grazing workshop, including directions to the farms, can be found at www.nofamass.org/programs/organicdairy/index.php or www.massgrass.org.

September 18, 2006 from 9:30 -3:00pm
First NODPA Southeast Regional Field Day and Retirement Celebration
Hosted by Caroline and Arden Landis at the Landis Dairy in Kirkwood, PA

• 9:30 - 10:00 Refreshments/Registration
• 10:00 Arden will host a tour of their seasonal organic dairy grazing farm
• Noon- Welcome by NODPA Board President Kathie Arnold and appreciation for Arden and Caroline’s work

After lunch, there will be an overview of the organic dairy market, an update on NODPA’s activities and plans for the future from NODPA Executive Director Ed Maltby. This will be followed by a farmer panel of Roman Stoltzfoos, Rodney Martin, Dave Johnson, Forrest Stricker and Rob Moore, moderated by Ed Maltby. There will be no charge to organic dairy producers.

September 19, 20 and 21, 2008 (Fri., Sat. & Sun.)
A Comprehensive Regional Festival and Conference on Sustainability and Energy Independence
The Kempton Community Center, Kempton, PA
A three-day festival about renewable energy, natural building construction, sustainable agriculture, land-use planning, forestry and healthy living practices in general. Featuring dynamic speakers, national exhibitors, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, vendors, live music and entertainment, children's activities, food and more. www.paenergyfest.com

September 20, 2008
Pasture Walk in Lehigh County, PA
Time: To Be Announced
Place: Barry and Barb Byler Dairy Farm, New Tripoli, PA
Part of Penn State's 2008 Grazing Walks in SE and South Central PA Series

About the Farm: The Bylers started grazing in 2001 on 17 acres. Since then, they have added approximately 108 acres to their grazing system and have switched to a grass-based operation. They are currently milking between 100-115 cows. In addition, the Bylers are in the transition year to become Certified Organic. The pastures consist of cool season grasses such as orchardgrass and perennial ryegrass, as well as alfalfa and ladino clover.

Highlights:

* Calves started on grass very early.
* Second year of no grain for milking herd.
* Manages grazing based on no water in paddocks.

Directions: From I-78, take Lenhartsville exit and head North on PA-143. Follow 143 North through Kempton to the village of Lynnport. In Lynnport, turn right onto PA-863 and then take the first left onto Allemaengel Road to the first farm.

These grazing walks, monthly through September, are designed for anyone interested in grazing. At the walks, we'll learn from the practices used on the farm and from each other in discussions. No reservations are needed. All walks will be held rain or shine.

For more information or questions, call Dan Ludwig, NRCS, at 717-274-2597, Ext. 119; Mena Hautau, Penn State Cooperative Extension-Berks County, at 610-378-1327, or your county extension educator. The walks are co-sponsored by Southeast Project Grass, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Penn State Cooperative Extension.

September 26 – 28, 2008
2nd Annual Northeast Animal Power Field Days
Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT
The Northeast Animal Power Field Days is a celebration of sustainable farming and renewable resources promoting conservation, stewardship, small farms, healthy forests, and the roles that they play in vital communities. This 3-day conference will feature working animal and equipment demonstrations in field and forest settings, workshops, exhibits, networking sessions, and an auction and swap meet on Sunday. Workshop topics will include grazing management, working with draft animals, livestock health, getting started with animal power and more.
For more information, go to: www.animalpowerfielddays.org or contact Carl Russell and Lisa McCrory, info@animalpowerfielddays.org, 802-234-5524. Join our discussion forum; www.draftanimalpower.com