NOFA Massachusetts: Programs: 2011: Massachusetts Backyard Poultry Workshop Day Field Trainings

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Northeast Organic Farming Association/ Massachusetts Chapter presents
Massachusetts Organic Poultry Workshop Series
April through July, 2011

Download and Print Registration Form
To mail in with check or money order

Read Press Releases:
April 23 - Workshop in Hatfield Also see: "Backyard eggsplosion: Workshop to feed growing interest in chicken-raising" Greenfield Recorder. April 20, 2011
April 30 - Workshop in Hubbardston Also see "Farm promotes benefits of raising chickens"
June 25 - Workshop in Wendell

Series Overview

For the second year, NOFA/Mass presents a series of workshops for honing skills in raising poultry on a backyard or small commercial scale, using organic, pasture-based systems. In Spring and Summer 2011, there will be workshops in every region of the state. The descriptions below detail each specific workshop. Find which workshop is right for you.

Workshops cover how to raise chickens for eggs and/or meat. They take place in the fields of actual chicken raising operations. All the workshops contain information useful to the beginner and the seasoned producer, some taking place at backyard organic operations and others at organic commercial farms. They are all led by experienced poultry raisers. Each workshop presenter will explain and demonstrate key steps that can empower you to start raising poultry or improve what you are already doing. Please bring your questions.

Be prepared for an outdoor workshop and please refrain from wearing any scented body care/laundry products.

This is a great opportunity to learn skills needed to shape your food future.

Important Registration Details

The cost of each workshop ranges from $40 to $30, with $5 discounts for NOFA membership, early registration (2 weeks before the workshop), and signing up for 2+ workshops.
Pre-registration is requested, but onsite registration is available for an extra $5 charge with on-site registration form.
Cancellations will be honored and refunds issued (except $8 processing fee) with notice made within 10 or more days of the workshop. After that, you may designate someone else to attend in your stead, but refunds will not be available.
Scholarships may be available for those who need and apply for them. A short application is required. Please ask!
Contact: Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374. By email, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org; put "Organic Poultry" in subject.

List of Backyard Poultry Workshops in 2011

Greater Boston
	A) Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds, 159 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA. (Commercial Workshop) ~~Saturday, July 23, 1pm-5pm~~ (Postponed due to weather until Saturday, July 30, 1pm-5pm. Register still online above.)(www.peteandjensbackyardbirds.com) Cost: $40 Jennifer Hashley & Pete Lowy operate "Pete and Jen's Backyard Birds." Learn about raising broilers and layers from chick to market. Topics include: brooding; mobile coop construction; electric fencing; feed rations and supplements; veterinary care; marketing; and humane slaughter.
Southeast Mass.
	B) High Meadow Farm, 28 High St., Hubbardston, MA. (Backyard Workshop) Saturday, April 30, 9am-12pm Cost: $30 Tom and Jassy Bratko keep a small flock of laying hens and raise 100 meat birds each year. Learn to raise chicks from day-old until slaughter. Participants will visit the chicken coop where laying hens are housed in winter and where baby chicks get started in the spring. There will be a demonstration of the chicken tractors where meat birds and layers are kept from April to December. Other topics include: breeds; predator control; and electric and non-electric fencing. Geared to beginners, this workshop will show how fun and easy it is to produce your own delicious eggs and succulent, juicy chicken.
Central Mass.
	C) Home of Greg Wolfus, 11 Colton Lane, Shrewsbury, MA (Backyard Workshop) Saturday, June 4, 9am-12pm Cost: $30 Greg Wolfus raises a small flock of pastured chickens on 1/3 acre in Shrewsbury, MA. He and his family enjoy having feathered pets who kindly share organic eggs. This workshop focuses on incorporating a small coop into a small yard in an urban/suburban environment. Topics include: raising baby chicks; general chicken husbandry and requirements; coop design; reusing reclaimed materials for coop construction; protecting yards from chicken destruction; and incorporating chicken waste into compost.
	D) Many Hands Organic Farm, 411 Sheldon Rd, Barre, MA. Commercial and Backyard Workshop) Saturday, July 16, 9am-2pm (www.mhof.net) Cost: $40 Jack Kittredge & Julie Rawson annually raise 450 broilers, 75 layers and 60 turkeys in a certified organic free range system, and have raised poultry for over 25 years. They will show young turkey poults in the brooding house and adult layers and broilers in the field. Topics include: field and permanent housing; pasture management; certified organic commercial and home-raised feeds; rotations; equipment; and marketing. Participants will have a chance to perform hands-on slaughter at the end of the workshop. Bring something to share for a noon potluck.
Western Mass.
	E) Golden Oak Farm, 44 Plain Road, Hatfield, MA. Backyard Workshop) Saturday, April 23, 9am-12noon Potluck Lunch when workshop ends (For farm pictures: (For farm pictures: www.goldenoakfarm.us/) Cost: $30 Pam Raymond & David Turner raise 100 pastured broilers and 17 layers. Learn to select breeds; set up a brooder; raise day old chicks; deal with predator pressure; improve pasture grass and forbs; and provide adequate housing, feed, and supplementation. They'll cover systems on their farm including waterers and feeders; deep litter; chicken tractors; the Salatin pen; the mobile coop; fencing; rotational grazing; and butchering. Hand-outs provided. A potluck lunch will be shared when the workshop ends, so bring a dish to share if you're interested in staying.
	F) Wildbrowse Farm, 87 Bullard Pasture Rd, Wendell, MA. (Backyard Workshop) Saturday, June 25, 2pm-5pm Cost: $30 Sharon Gensler and Pru Smith have been homesteading for 30+ years, raising small flocks of chickens and turkeys for home use: eggs, meat and manure. Leave empowered to begin your own small chicken operation. We'll cover: breed selection, cardboard box brooding of day olds, care and feeding of chicks, poults and adult birds, winter and summer (mobile) housing, pasture, electric fencing, permaculture moats, and slaughter options. We'll do some hands-on feeding, watering and handling of birds. Note on directions: Bullard Pasture Rd (not Bullard Rd) is 3/4 mi. west on Montague Rd from the center of Wendell --a dirt road on the left (south) at crest of hill. Last place on left before yellow gate. Please park in state parking lot on right, just before gate.