Maryland Grazer’s Network Plans Fields Days for Dairy and Beef Operations in June

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

Do you want some new ideas on grazing management?

Do you want to have a better farm income and better control over your life?

Do you want to help your community see the good that farmers do?

Do you want to learn how to direct market your own products successfully?

If these topics are of interest to you, then plan on attending the free field days sponsored by the Maryland Grazer’s Network. The field days were designed for farmers, conservation partnership employees and anyone interested in conservation and grazing practices for their dairy and beef operation. Learn about financial assistance through the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to assist you in partnering with a mentor through the Maryland Grazer’s Network or becoming a mentor to help other farmers.

On Tuesday, June 23 from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm, a field day will be held focusing on dairy operations at Holterholm Farms, owned by Ron Holter. The farm is located at 5619 Halter Road, Jefferson, Maryland 21755-8508.

On Monday, June 29 from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm, a field day will be held focusing on beef operations at the Wye Research Farm and Angus Herd, hosted by Eddie Draper. The farm is located at 2016 Carmichael Road, Queenstown, Maryland 21658.

Technical assistance and free support is available on these topics through the Maryland Grazer’s Network. Membership in the Grazer’s Network is free and financial assistance on conservation practices is available. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, initiated the Mentorship Project through a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network. Grazers, in partnership with this group, developed the Maryland Grazers Network which seeks to partner with new and experienced grazers directly though farmer mentors and technical specialists working with local conservation districts, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and NRCS staff.

Discussion topics at the field days include:

• Grazing Management – mentors and technical specialists are available to answer your questions.
• Better Control of Farm Income – marketing and value added specialists can provide ideas on how to tap into local opportunities.
• Farm Revenues and Costs – farm business specialists can help with planning and analysis of your operation.
• The Community’s View of Farming Operations – advisors are available to help you develop your ideas on how to interact with the community at farmers markets and other community supported activities. Learn how you can show others your concern for the environment.

The tours are free and include a complimentary lunch. In addition to learning more about grazing, short presentations will be given throughout the tour on marketing opportunities, simplifying farm economic record-keeping and cost-sharing opportunities specifically for grazers. You are welcome to attend one or both field days.

For more information or to register (so we can have adequate informational materials and lunches ready), please contact Michael Heller at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at (301) 627 4393 or mheller@cbf.org or Elmer Dengler at NRCS at (800) 384-8770, x 333 or elmer.dengler@md.usda.gov.

Plan on attending the field days. You will learn how these discussion topics can contribute to a sustainable farm that is environmentally friendly to the Chesapeake Bay and the community and families that are a part of the watershed.

The field days are possible through the financial support of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network and the combined efforts of the local field offices of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, NRCS, the University of Maryland, Maryland Cooperative Extension, Soil Conservation Districts, and Maryland Department of Agriculture.

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