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The
University of Small
Ruminant Dairy Project Calendar
of Events
March 2006
and beyond |
Brought to you by the
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March 8-10 |
eSSENTIAL
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF CHEESEMAKING University of Vermont, VT
Institute for Artisan Cheese, The Vermont Institute for
Artisan Cheese (VIAC) at the Instructors: Montse
Almena Ph.D., Paul Kindstedt Ph.D., Marc Druart, Master Cheesemaker.
Fee: $715.00 by February 15th,
after $735.00 - course includes coffee/breakfast & lunch and binder
of materials. Payable to: UVM/VIAC CONTACT: Jody Farnham, 802-656-8300, jfarnham@uvm.edu, www.uvm.edu/~viac/. |
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March 13 (6 weeks) |
Introduction
to Six week course will
introduce students to the different breeds of sheep and why you would
choose one breed over another. Sheep nutrition will be covered in
depth and explain why sheep need different feed at different times of
the year. Cost: $75; 4-H members and youth can attend free if
accompanied by a registered adult. Pre-registration required by
March 1. Contact: Chet Parsons,
802-524-6501 x 212 or chester.parsons@uvm.edu.
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March 14 March 15 March 16 March 22 (6 weeks each) |
Transferring
the Farm March 14, March 15, South March 16, March 22, This is an introductory
workshop to help farm families make informed decisions about
transferring the farm to a next generation. Each
workshop will address retirement and estate planning, legal strategies
to protect assets, tools you can use to transfer farm assets, and
setting your farm transfer goals. Fee is $15 if postmarked
by March 6, $25 after. CONTACT: Candice Huber,
802-656-5459, sustainable.agriculture@uvm.edu.
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March 17, 18 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Zoar Farm, , Taught by American Sheep
Industry Association Wool Handling Consultant Bob Padula, this workshop
is open to anyone interested in wool, wool marketing, and value-added
wool products. On March 17, the workshop topics covered will include:
genetics, management of wool characteristics, skirting, classing, and
marketing. Within each topic area, producers are encouraged to grow,
manage, and provide the highest quality product possible. Saturday,
March 18, will be a hands-on Shearing Day. Participants will have
the opportunity to work with the wool and will be guided in skirting,
sorting, and storing as the fleeces come from the shearing floor.
Sponsored by Opportunities for Chenango, Inc.’s Bullthistle Rag
Enterprise, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, and
Empire Sheep Producers Association. Fee is $40, which includes
resource notebook, lunch both days, and refreshments at breaks.
Pre-registration required. CONTACT: Nancy Morey at
OFC, Inc., 607-334-7114 or nmorey@ofcinc.org. |
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March 18-19 April 29-30 9 am - 4 pm |
The
Cheese
Workshops Woodcock Farm Cheese
Company, A series of two-day
workshops in making cheese on the farm, taught by Peter Dixon and
special guests. Through making cheese and other dairy products and
receiving classroom instruction at Woodcock Farm Cheese Company, a
licensed March 18-19: Making and aging
Washed-rind cheeses, including Citeaux, St. Paulin, and Gruyere styles.
Focus on cultures, affinage, packaging, facilities and equipment. April 29-30: Making and Aging
Mediterranean cheeses, including Mozzarella, Caciocavallo, Ricotta,
Romano, and Corsican basket styles using sheep and goat milk. Focus on cultures, affinage, packaging,
facilities and equipment. CONTACT: Peter Dixon,
802-387-4041, pdixon@sover.net for details and to register and receive
directions. Send deposit to Peter Dixon, |
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March 25 9am – 3pm |
Hands-On
Experience Handling Sheep Learn the best way to:
handle sheep, trim feet, dock a tail, and to insert a stomach tube to
save a lamb’s life. Cost $35; 4-H members and youth can
attend free if accompanied by a registered adult. Pre-registration
required March 8. Contact: Chet Parsons,
802-524-6501 x 212 or chester.parsons@uvm.edu.
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April 1 9am – 12:30pm |
Lambing
Workshop Classroom discussion of
lambing preparation, how to care for newborns and how to deal with
lambing problems followed by a hands-on. The flock will be lambing at
this time and there should be several newborn lambs. Cost: $35;
please register by March 15. Contact: Chet Parsons,
802-524-6501 x 212 or chester.parsons@uvm.edu.
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April 1-2 9:00am -5:00 pm |
kathy
biss cheese Workshop The
Sandwich Creamery, North Taught by
well-known British cheeesemaker and author, Kathy Biss., the focus will
be on specialty cheeses- fresh, soft-ripened and hard-aged. May
include cow, sheep or goat's milk. Cost for the two days: $200.00,
50% deposit required, space limited. CONTACT:
Tom or Lisa at 603-284-6675, sandwichcreamery@aol.com. |
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April 5 April 6 |
Transferring
the Farm II April 5, April 6, This is an in-depth
follow-up to our Transferring the Farm I workshop to help you move
toward a successful estate planning and transfer of the farm business. Fee is $20 if postmarked
by March 29, $30 after. CONTACT: Candice Huber,
802-656-5459, sustainable.agriculture@uvm.edu.
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April 8 8:45 am |
making
wool presentable for Flora/Fauna Farm, West It is a good time to
learn the characteristics of a good fleece, how to skirt fleeces
thoroughly, how to role them, and how to make them look
presentable for both selling and competing. Tthere will be a tour of
the facilities including the feeding system. Instructor,
Mary Hays, knows her wool and is a fantastic source of
wool information. Dave Hinman is our shearer. Sponsored by
the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association (VSGA) and the VT Grass Farmers’
Association (VGFA) The cost this year is $15.00 for VSGA and VSGF
members and $20.00 for nonmembers and by donation for board members for
each association. Lunch is included. Make checks payable to VSGA
and send them to me at the following address: Chris Hall, CONTACT: Chris Hall, flofauna@SOVER.NET, 802-439-6245. |
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April 18 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
French
wine and cheese pairing education Fire house Center for the
Visual Arts, The Vermont Institute for
Artisan Cheese at the CONTACT: Jody
Farnham, 802-656-8300, jfarnham@uvm.edu, www.uvm.edu/~viac/. |
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April 17-19 April 20 April 21 May 22-24 May 25-26 |
cheesemaking
at the vt institute for artisan cheese 255 Marsh Life Science,
UVM campus, The Vermont Institute for
Artisan Cheese (VIAC) at the April 17-19 Artisan
Cheese Practices: French Cheeses* April 20 Basic Sensory
Evaluation April 21 Quality and
Chemistry of Milk Short Course May 22-24 Essential
Principles and Practices May 25-26 Hygiene and
Food Safety in Cheesemaking *Special guest instructors
are Dr. Yolande Noël from the National French Institute of Agronomic Research and Roland Perrin from the CONTACT: Jody
Farnham, 802-656-8300, jfarnham@uvm.edu, www.uvm.edu/~viac/. |
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April 29 9:30am
– 3pm |
Meat
Goat Nutrition Workshop Topics: Nutrition for the
Meat Goat -Melissa Matta; Feeding the Pregnant Doe -Dr. Harold Harpster, Penn State
University; Site and Soil Evaluation for Pasture Species Selection -
Melanie Barkley, Ag Ext Educator; Fencing for Goats - J.P., Kencove
Farm Fence. Cost is $40 for first
family member, $20 for any additional. Register by April 17th. Contact: Gene Schurman at
724-465-3880 or exs10@psu.edu. |
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May 6 & 7 (repeat on second day) 10am–12:30pm and 1pm-3:30pm |
Free clinic given over
weekend with 2nd day a repeat. On our farm we have examples of
all styles of electrical and woven wire fence so you will be able to
see the type of fence you might be interested in. The morning
session will concentrate on permanent and semi-permanent electric fence
systems. The afternoon session will focus on the construction of
the permanent high tensile smooth, Centaur rail and Bekaert woven wire
fences. Bring a box lunch if you want to stay during lunchtime. Contact: Wellscroft Fence at
603-827-3464 |
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May 6 10 am – 2 pm |
electric
fence workshop Walnut Grove Farm, Learn the basics of
building an electric fence – hands on. New technologies; new materials. Featuring the latest in
energizers from Gallagher. Lunch provided. Rain or shine. CONTACT: RSVP to
603-659-2044 48, wallgrove@rcn.com |
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May 7 9am-4pm |
Goat
Health Education Day Taught by Dr. Brian
Hewlett, DVM, and Sponsored by the CONTACT: Vangie Mc
Cormick, 603-847-3317, rovam@webryders.net,
www.southernvtgoats.org.
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May 20 10am-2pm |
tailgate
SVDGA Clubhouse, Rt. 9,
Marlboro, CONTACT: John Stratton,
802-823-5043 |
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ANnouncements |
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From the |
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AI for Sheep workshop in ISBONA: http://www.isbona.com/
SOUTHRAM: http://www.bssl.is/english/content.asp?fl=Sheep&id=218. |
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Nichol’s Meat Processing
Now Under USDA Inspection
Livestock producers in
the Greater Capital District area are excited about a newly opened USDA
Inspected Slaughtering and Processing Facility in Jeff has also applied for
and should soon receive his license to do Halal Slaughter. For more
information about the plant and its services contact Jeff Nichols at
518-355-6944, tjg3@cornell.edu. |
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classifieds |
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For Sale: (Vermont) We are selling a small
herd (5 adult does, 4 doelings, two bucks) of very high quality Nubian
dairy goats-- some purebred; some grade. We would like to see them go
together but will consider splitting for the right buyer. All the
adults are registered with ADGA. The kids can be
registered. The 5 does are bred and due to kid in mid-May.
Our herd sire is Nickel's Addison purchased from the Nickels in |
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For sale: In an effort to reduce
the workload in my barn, I am offering the following for sale,
available approx March 4th. These are more a group for a
commercial dairy than show stock, they are nice, but would not be
competitive. 4 mature does, Alpines; 1, 3 yr old Alpine doe; 1, 2 yr old Alpine doe; 1 Alpine Yearling; these above 7 animals will all be milking by
March 4th. Due March and April: 1 Saanen Yearling (sable
sired, but she is white), bred to Saanen buck; 1 Alpine Yearling, bred
to Alpine buck. Most of the above animals have been or are eligible for
registration/recordation with known parentage. Type and
production is in their background and evident in their abilities. I
always strive to build a goat as a production animal first,
appreciating structural correctness. No hoof rot/scald, abscesses
or horns. Will be or have been dewormed at kidding.
Also, I have a nice Saanen buck - yearling for sale.
He has worked here and in my friend's herd, and we will need different
bloodlines for the next year. $300. (not the same buck that bred
the saanen yearling). Cindi Shelley, |
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Wanted: We are looking for a bulk
tank that is 150 gallons or smaller. Our e-mail address is stoltman@frontiernet.net. Heather Stoltman. |
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Wanted: Goat farm looking for a
milk pasteurizer, bottle machine and capping machine.
Contact mrsdairygoat@bluefrog.com. |
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Wanted: We are in need of a 40
gal. cheese vat or jacketed steam kettle. If you have one to sell
or know of one, please let us know. Harvey & Barbara Levin,
Hope Farm, 802-723-4283, hopefarm@surfglobal.net |
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Wanted: Meat Goats. Fancy Meats
From Vermont is looking for good meat goats weighing 55 - 70pounds and
good meaty lambs from 50 pounds to 100 pounds. Will need them until
May. Also interested in new members for the
cooperative. Contact |
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Wanted:
Dairy goats, a year old or older for commercial herd.
Christine Kaiser, 802-253-8222, |
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Wanted Market
goats and sheep: We plan on marketing suckling Easter Lambs/Goats
again this year. The kids/lambs must be under 12 weeks old, unweaned
and between 32-42# live weight for Roman Easter and 32-50# for Orthodox
Easter. As soon as I know the prices we can offer, I will let everyone
know. In the meanwhile, we would like to hear from anyone who is
considering working with us this year. This will enable me to
tentatively consider pickup schedules and routing and take tentative
orders from the retailers. Year-round we market weaned market lambs,
sheep, kids and goats. In a continued effort to reduce the size of our
commercial BoerX herd, we will be offering for sale some mature, proven
does and weaned doelings. Lisa and John Boyle, Cross Creek Farm, New Animals should be
marketed one to two weeks prior to the holiday. April 9 * Roman/Eastern
Palm Sunday * Milk-fed baby lambs/goats. April 13-14 * Pesach
(Passover) first two days * Heavy, wether or ewe lambs. April 16 * Roman/Eastern
Easter and Orthodox/Greek Palm Sunday * Milk-fed baby lambs/goats. April 23 * Orthodox/Greek
Easter/Pascha * Milk-fed baby lamb |
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POSITIONS offered/WANTED |
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Seeking Asst. Dairy
Manager & Farm Apprentices for organic diversified
farm & commercial Nigerian goat dairy in downeast |
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Opportunity Available: Full and Part-time
workers needed for small cheese making operation in |
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Intern wanted: The
Northland Sheep Dairy Internship – |
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Position offered: UVM Extension will be
undertaking a national search for a full-time Director for
the Center for Sustainable Agriculture over the next six months.
During its first eleven years the Center has functioned well with a
part-time director, but the time has come to look to the future and lay
the groundwork for even greater success in the Center's programming and
fundraising. The Center, recognized
last year as the State Merit Award winner for Program Achievement by
the New England Board of Higher Education, now has an annual budget of
over half a million dollars, the great majority of which comes from
grants, contracts and gifts. The Center has also grown to have eight
employees, both full- and part-time, and they do an excellent job of
developing projects and obtaining funding. Full-time leadership
will give the Center the management it needs to continue to grow, and
it will help improve the Center's financial security by expanding
development efforts, including establishment of an endowment fund. A
full-time director is needed to steward donors, develop a board, and
continue to provide program oversight and personnel management. To obtain a Position
Description, contact the office of Doug Lantagne, Interim Extension
Director, |
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Interns wanted: Serious cheese making
and goat husbandry apprenticeship at award- winning goat cheese dairy
in beautiful mid-coast |
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Work/Farm Wanted: My name is Leslie and my
husband and I live and work in |
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Resources |
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New Agricultural
Management Assistance Program Deadline - State Conservationist
Judith Doerner of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
announced a new deadline for applications to the Agricultural
Management Assistance Program (AMA). The deadline for applications is
April 3, 2006. The proposed AMA program priorities for 2006 are
transition to organic agriculture, agriculture diversification
(goat and sheep dairies?…), water conservation through the
installation of efficient irrigation systems or improving existing
irrigation that will result in a net water savings. Stream bank
stabilization on critically eroding banks will be considered as funding
allows. For more information on AMA go to the web site
at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/
or contact your local NRCS field office/USDA Service Center. |
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The Northeast Farm Credit
AgEnhancement Program (NFCAP) – Due April 1
Support from the NFCAP
ranges from $1,000-$5,000. Proposal deadlines are April 1, August 1 and
December 1 and may be submitted to: Mr. Robert A. Smith Telephone:
(413) 821-0212 Farm Credit AgEnhancement Program, |
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USDA Rural Development's
9006 Renewable Energy and Energy The grant
application deadline for USDA Rural Development's 9006 Renewable Energy
and Energy Efficiency grant program has now been established as May 12,
2006. Only one competitive grant solicitation will be conducted
in 2006. VT and NH applications must be completed and submitted
to the State Office contact listed below, and must be postmarked no
later than May 12, 2006. Grant applications postmarked after that
date will be returned to the applicant with no action. Full
program details are available online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill.
Lyn
Millhiser, Business & Cooperative Programs Specialist, USDA Rural
Development, Third Floor City Center, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT
05602, lyn.millhiser@vt.usda.gov,
802-828-6069. |
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SRDP Calendar of Events is
compiled and distributed by the Center for Sustainable Agriculture at
the |
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