Soil quality in pasture-based systems is the theme of the Ninth Annual Maine Grazing Conference for meat producers, scheduled 8:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m., March 23 at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.
Co-sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the conference will include soil enhancement ideas, nationally known speakers and a meat competition.
The keynote speaker is soil-quality expert Ray Archuleta from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Technology Center in North Carolina. Archuleta will discuss “Improving Soil Health by Mimicking Nature.”
Cole Ward of Vermont, known as the “Gourmet Butcher,” will demonstrate cutting and processing a side of beef during the conference. Ward has worked throughout the country preparing meat props for CBS studios and national TV commercials, and specialty meat cuts for Hollywood celebrities. Other conference presentations include forage species selection options with UMaine Extension Professor Richard Kersbergen; U.S. Department of Agriculture program opportunities; and a producer spotlight featuring Steve Sinisi from Old Crow Ranch in Durham, Maine. Sinisi will describe his pastured poultry and pork operation.
Other grazing conference co-sponsors include the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; NRCS; Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; and Maine Beef Producers Association.
Participants are invited to bring a locally grown pork, lamb or goat chop, or beef rib eye, to the conference to be judged by a panel of experts.
Registration information is available by contacting the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office in Waldo County, 207.342.5971, or by visiting the Maine Grass Farmers Network website. For more information or to request disability accommodations, call 207.342.5917 or 800.287.1426 instate, at least 14 days before the conference.
The Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN) will hold its eighth Annual Grazing Conference Saturday, March 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.
This year, MGFN has joined forces with the Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) to host the conference. Keynote speaker is Dr. Ben Bartlett, a retired Extension specialist and veterinarian who concentrated on dairy, sheep and beef education for 28 years. Bartlett is recognized as an award-winning grazing expert who has traveled internationally to study grazing systems.
Among the presenters are University of Vermont agronomist Sid Bosworth, Cornell University Beef specialist Mike Baker, and Jim Ochterski, also from Cornell. Cole Ward, a nationally known meat cutter (http://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetButcher) will present a pork-cutting demonstration in the afternoon.
MGFN also will host a grass-fed steak contest during the lunch break. For details about entering the contest, contact Rick Kersbergen at richard.kersbergen@maine.edu.
Non-member registration, including lunch is $75. Discounts for MGFN and MBPA association members are available. For registration details, contact Sonia Antunes at 1-800-287-1426 in Maine or 207-342-5971 outside of Maine. Registration details also are on the UMaine Extension website (http://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/mgfn/).
MGFN is a collaboration of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Maine Department of Agriculture and member farms.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1481 to discuss their needs at least seven days in advance.
Image Description: Maine Grass Farmers Network
The Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN) will hold its eighth Annual Grazing Conference Saturday, March 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.
This year, MGFN has joined forces with the Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) to host the conference. Keynote speaker is Dr. Ben Bartlett, a retired Extension specialist and veterinarian who concentrated on dairy, sheep and beef education for 28 years. Bartlett is recognized as an award-winning grazing expert who has traveled internationally to study grazing systems.
Among the presenters are University of Vermont agronomist Sid Bosworth, Cornell University Beef specialist Mike Baker, and Jim Ochterski, also from Cornell. Cole Ward, a nationally known meat cutter (http://www.facebook.com/TheGourmetButcher) will present a pork-cutting demonstration in the afternoon.
MGFN also will host a grass-fed steak contest during the lunch break. For details about entering the contest, contact Rick Kersbergen at richard.kersbergen@maine.edu.
Non-member registration, including lunch is $75. Discounts for MGFN and MBPA association members are available. For registration details, contact Sonia Antunes at 1-800-287-1426 in Maine or 207-342-5971 outside of Maine. Registration details also are on the UMaine Extension website (http://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/mgfn/).
MGFN is a collaboration of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Maine Department of Agriculture and member farms.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1481 to discuss their needs at least seven days in advance.
Image Description: Maine Grass Farmers Network