Organic Dairy Field Day to be held in Hardwick, MassachusettsHARDWICK, MA -- On June 12, five specialists in organic dairy production in Massachusetts are coming together at an organic raw milk dairy farm in Hardwick, MA to present a field day workshop. The workshop covers multiple aspects of dairy production and is relevant to both small and large ruminant producers. The sponsor of the event is Northeast Organic Farming Association/ Massachusetts Chapter. The host is Robinson Farm, at 42 Jackson Road, which has been a family farm since 1892. The workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration for this workshop is $35, and NOFA members receive a $5 discount. People who register by May 29 receive a $5 discount. Registration information is obtained at www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/dairyfieldday.php. The workshop begins with a walking tour of the farm. The hosts, Pam and Ray Robinson, will lead participants through different pastures and paddocks and discuss their management techniques. On hand will be Tom Akin and Stephen Herbert who will offer explanation and answer participants’ questions. Tom Akin, who is an Agronomist and Grazing Lands Coordinator with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Amherst said, "In my view, dairy farming with rotational grazing is a greater challenge than traditional confined dairy farming. When you graze your animals, the pastures are changing all the time, and your success is based primarily on the quality of nutrition in the grass and other plants in the pasture. Grazing is a complex system, and there are different flows happening at every level in the pasture. Nothing is fixed, and you have to react to what nature is giving you." "In light of a new rule from the National Organic Program that 30% of the dry matter has to come from pasture for at least 120 days of the year, I will show how farmers can measure the amount of dry matter in a pasture in terms of pounds per acre," said Akin. Stephen Herbert who directs the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station at the College of Natural Sciences, at UMass, Amherst will cover the basics of making and using hay. He’ll also explain how to identify grasses and their nutritive values, and weeds and their invasiveness and toxicity. Attendees are invited to bring samples of pasture grasses and weeds from their farms for identification. After a potluck lunch at 12 noon, the Robinsons will lead a tour of the milk room, the new cheese-making room, and barn. They’ll discuss business planning and regulatory challenges related to setting up a cheese-making business, as well as sanitation and workflow in the milk room. The Robinsons completed the process of transitioning their 40 cow herd and all of their pastures to organic last year. Pamela Robinson said, "All the media attention on the nutritional benefits and improved flavor of organic foods, increased CLA and Omega's in grass-fed meat and the concerns about an association between high pesticide use and an increased incidence of ADHD, in children, has been helping to reinforce our choice to be an organic farm!" Winton Pitcoff who coordinates the NOFA/Mass Raw Milk Network will discuss certification for raw milk, marketing, and working with local regulators. "For anyone interested in doing dairy, it’s important to understand not only what management practices are good for the environment and that produce healthy and wholesome dairy products, it’s also important to understand the market for these products," said Pitcoff. "As more people become aware of the health benefits of raw milk, the demand for it is growing substantially. While navigating the regulations around raw milk is challenging, once you’ve done it, the pay-off for the farm is substantial, because it gives the producer the tools needed to access steady and reliable local markets." Contact: Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374. By email, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org; put "June 12" in subject.
This page was last modified on June 01, 2010 at 8:07:51 AM.
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