Maine Grass Farmers Network Offers Pasture Talks

Contact: Richard Kersbergen, 207-342-5971

GORHAM, Me. — Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN), a collaboration of University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), will host its first of a series of Pasture Walks on Thursday July 19 at 5 P.M. at the Noon Family Sheep Farm. The walk will be lead by farm host Jean Noon and Diane Schivera, MOFGA Livestock Specialist and also of the Maine Grass Farmers Network, and will focus on sound pasture management, rotation, and renovation. After the walk there will be a potluck picnic. Those attending should bring something to share. To get to Noon Family Farm from the junction of Route 109 and 11A in downtown Springvale head south on Rt. 11A (Oak Street). In about 1 mile at the blinking light turn right onto Hanson Ridge Road. After a steep down grade turn left onto Blanchard Road (Blueberry Bend). Take an immediate right onto Sunset Road at the fork. You will probably also see signs for PYO blueberries at the Rivard Farm. The farm is the first house on the left #78 Sunset Rd.

A second pasture walk will be held on Sunday July 22, from 1-3 p.m. at the Sebago Lake Ranch on Route 237 in Gorham. Attendees will learn about potential advantages of growing grass as managed pasture for livestock. This particular walk will provide an example of a farm that practices Management Intensive Grazing (MiG), and finishes cows without grain, using only grass and mineral supplements. “I’ve been practicing some form of MiG since 1999. We are currently around 35 head of cattle, including all ages,” says Ben Hartwell, owner of the Sebago Lake Ranch.

UMaine Extension and MOFGA created the MGFN in response to livestock farmers