Contact: Diane Schivera Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) 207-568-4142 Rick Kersbergen University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 1-800-287-1426 (In Maine) 207-342-5971 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In response to the increased interest by many livestock farmers in the effective utilization of pasture for raising & finishing livestock, MGFN has been created with the support of a grant from SARE, the Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, MOFGA, Maine Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Many livestock farmers in Maine are learning about potential advantages of growing grass as carefully managed pasture for their livestock. Growing grass in Maine takes advantage of our short growing season & cool climate. Keeping land in pasture reduces soil erosion caused by row crops. Grass farming and pasture raised livestock utilize pastureland effectively, while improving animal health, product quality & market advantage. Pasture raised milk, meat, poultry, & eggs have the potential for high nutritional content and higher market prices. Grass farming can increase profitability, helping to keep farms & farmland viable and maintaining the rural character of our communities. This summer’s calendar lists a variety of interesting topics for graziers of all types. For more information, contact: Diane Schivera, project coordinator at MOFGA 568-4142, Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1426 Dee Potter at 1-800-287-1421 from the Cooperative Extension or Paula Roberts of Meadowsweet Farm at 338-1265 or by email at mgfn@prexar.com Maine Grass Farmers Network PASTURE WALKS SUMMER 2007 If possible contact one of us so we can anticipate numbers of attendees; Diane Schivera, project coordinator at MOFGA568-4142, Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1426or Dee Potter at 1-800-287-1421 from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension or Paula Roberts of Meadowsweet Farm at 338-1265 or by email at mgfn@prexar.com July 22 Sunday, 1-3 PM Ben Hartwell Sebago Lake Ranch, Gorham. 892-6820. Ben compared grass finishing to grain finishing last year and has switched to all grass. He raises animals from cow/calf to finish. The only supplement he provides is minerals. He wrote, "the Mama cows were kept on high ground this winter with pine trees and a wind break for shelter, no barn. My herd has traditionally been Herefords and I'm just starting to have Red Angus crosses dropping on the ground. I bred my cows to calve in synch with nature, the same time wild hooved animals are having their babies. I've been practicing some form of MiG since 1999. We are currently around 35 head of cattle, including all ages." Sebago Lake Ranch is located on Rt 237 on the Gorham/Standish line; 1 mile from where Rt 237 hits Rt 35 at the South side of Sebago Lake. 443 Sebago Lake Rd, Gorham, ME 04038 August 26 Sunday, 1-3 PM Gwyneth Harris and Neal McNaughten will host a pasture walk at their place in Unity. They have just moved back to Maine from Vermont, where Gwyneth served as the Vermont Pasture Network Coordinator for 4 years. They will be grazing horses, cattle, pigs, and chickens on their 6 acres of fenced pasture. Gwyneth says they'll "focus on the technicalities of grazing--how and why it works, with examples of what we're doing with all the different groups, how they cross over, etc." She says this would be ideal for people just getting started with a variety of animals on a small scale. To get to Neal and Gwyneth's, go to Freedom on Rte 137, take Bryant Rd, which goes north next to the Post Office. Go about 1/4 mile, bear right at the fork onto Clark Rd. (Gene Nick in old Gazetteer), go 1.3 miles. They are on the right. 568-3777 |
Maine Grass Farmers Network has been created to gather and provide information and support to interested farmers. • Learn about potential advantages of growing grass as managed pasture for livestock. • Grass farming can increase profitability helping to keep farms viable & maintains the rural character of our communities • Growing grass in Maine takes advantage of our short growing season & cool climate. • Grass farming and pasture raised livestock utilize our pasture lands effectively, while improving animal health, product quality and market advantage. |
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