Farming Conference: Grassfed Meat & Dairy – and – Made Local Tracks

Friday 1/17 Sessions
Challenges and Opportunities When Raising Multiple Species on Pasture (9:00 – 10:00 am): Raising chickens, pigs, cattle, turkeys, and laying hens on pasture with no hormones, chemicals, or antibiotics has many advantages – but also a few disadvantages. Join Jesse Straight for a candid discussion about the labor, infrastructure, and knowledge required to successfully raise and market pastured meats. (Jesse Straight, Whiffletree Farm)

Use Your Animals to Improve Your Pasture Forage (11:30 am – 12:20 pm): The best land management systems are based in soil health, mimic nature, and work towards improving biodiversity. Learn how multi-species grazing, careful pasture planning, and strategic grazing can improve your pastures and woodlands while producing the highest quality products. (Mike Peterson, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture)

A Grazing Management System for Spring Organic Lamb (2:00 am – 3:30 pm): Over the course of ten years, William Bryan studied three different pasture uses raising spring grass-fed lamb in a fixed area. Hear about his experience managing the sheep and lambs for more than one crop, while choreographing hay cuttings, grazing, and keeping a buffer. (Bill Bryan, Farmer and retired Extension Researcher, WVU)

Saturday 1/18 Sessions

Livestock and Soil Health (10:15 – 11:45 am): There has been a lot of press about how meat and dairy industries’ impact the environment, but the truth is, livestock are critical to building soil ecology. Conference keynoter and world-renowned soil health expert Dr. Elaine Ingham will explain the science behind livestock in a farm lifecycle, and how integrating animals is critical for soil ecology. (Dr. Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb)

Is the Slaughterhouse Your Obstacle? (1:30 – 3:00 pm): Would you expand your operation if you could get your animals processed within 50 miles of your farm? If so, you’re not alone. Farmers and consumers are looking for local, custom meat processors they know and trust. Learn how the agricultural community in St. Mary’s County, MD came together to overcome their processing hurdles, and how the phased approach to this public-private partnership is unfolding and benefiting regional farmers and consumers. (Craig Sewell, SMADC)

Check out the schedule at a glance or the full program preview. Questions? Contact Gail Taylor, Conference Manager, at gail@futureharvestcasa.org

About the Author

Wayne Creed

Administrator

View All Posts