A) Save the World, Grow and Eat more 100% Grass Fed Beef, $35
East Quabbin Land Trust, 120 Ridge Road, Hardwick, MA 01037 ***pot-luck lunch at 12 noon grass-fed burgers and buns will be served. Please bring a small salad or desert to share.
Saturday, May 12, 10am-3pm, (This workshop is co-sponsored by East Quabbin Land Trust)

- Instructor: Ridge Shinn is a pioneer in the modern grass-farming movement. 10 years of experience just scratches the surface - the learning curve is still steep. Ridge's core expertise is in evaluating live cattle for performance on a grass only diet; picking cattle, breeding cattle, and raising cattle for the 100% grass fed market.

We will talk about the critical benefits of raising herbivores (beef) on a 100% grass diet; benefits for the bovine, the human, the land and the world. Learn why producing consistent quality is so complex. Discuss genetics, management, grass and harvest and handling. Talk with photos in the morning; hands-on demonstration in the afternoon (bring your boots). This seminar will clearly explain the steps for success raising cattle on a 100% grass diet.

B) The Nose to Tail on Organic Pastured Pigs, $30
Misty Brook Farm, 830 Springhill Road, Barre, MA
Saturday, June 30, 9am-12pm

- Instructor: Brendan Holmes got his first pig when he was seven and has been raising them ever since. He completed the three year Organic/Biodynamic training in Sussex England. He now raises 60 feeders plus breeders at Misty Brook Farm.

Learn about raising pigs from birth to breeding and slaughter. Learn about hog housing, health, and the benefits of keeping pigs on pasture. Learn about lowering feed costs through having the pigs plant their own crops and harvest them through grazing. There will be time for questions and answers.

C) Agro-Diversity on a Multi-Species Meat and Heirloom Vegetable Permaculture Farm, $30
Moon in the Pond Farm, 816 Barnum Street, Sheffield, MA
Sunday, July 15, 2pm-5pm

- Instructor: Dominic Palumbo raises Scottish Highland beef cattle, Large Black pigs, Horned Dorset sheep, New Hampshire chickens, Narragansett turkeys, Pilgrim geese, Khaki Campbell ducks, a couple of dairy cows (one Normandy and a Jersey x Angus) and grows a wide variety of heirloom vegetables at Moon In The Pond Farm.

Learn the intricacies of integrating diverse livestock for your farm or homestead. Sequential pasture rotation, mingling, silvopasturing, free ranging and grazing on fallow garden plots are techniques that can be used to build fertility, maintain balance, control parasite loads, and maximize stocking capacity without overburdening the land.

D) 100% Grass Fed Seasonal Raw Milk Dairy, $30
Blue Hill Farm, 398 Blue Hill Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Saturday, August 25, 9am-12pm

- Instructor: Sean Stanton has been farming for 10 years and the dairy has been a licensed raw milk dairy for 3 years.

The workshop will cover the basics of raw milk production, seasonal dairy management and intensive rotational grazing, as well as fencing options, water systems for cows and calves. We will meet at Blue Hill Farm and view all aspects of milk production from the milking machines to the pastures.