Enhance Your Farm’s Future: One Day Farm Conference, Massachusetts

From the Farm-Based Education Association: Time: March 27, 2010 from 8am to 4pm Location: Bristol County Agricultural High School Street: 135 Center Street City/Town: Dighton, MA Website: https://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2phblet84e20970 Phone: 774-240-7004 Organized By: Katie Cavanagh Enhance Your Farm’s Future 3rd Annual One-Day Farm Conference & Resource Fair Organized by Bristol County Conservation District & SEMAP Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:00 am-4:00 pm Bristol County Agricultural High School, 135 Center St., Dighton MA. Topics: Feeding livestock in today's economy; Agri-tourism; Soil Fertility; Artificial insemination; Purchasing Public Land; and Biochar.

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8:00 am: Registration
8:30 – 9:00 am: Resource Fair
9:00 – 10:30 am: Agri-Tourism Workshop – Panel discussion with Richard LeBlanc from MDAR, Stu Nunnery from RICAPE, and Julia Grimaldi from SAVOR Massachusetts.
10:30 – 12:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. Feeding your Livestock in Today’s Economy – Eric Reid, animal nutritionist from Old Mill Troy, NY will review general livestock feeding principles, evaluating feed efficiency, and the use of byproduct feeds.
2. An Introduction to Soil Fertility – Derek Christianson from Brix Bounty Farm will discuss the role soil fertility plays in crop yields and quality, including a review of amendments used in organic farm fertility programs

12:00 – 1:30 pm: Lunch – Prepared by Mike Melo of M&C Cafe, New Bedford.
12:00 – 1:30 pm: Resource Fair & Grant Room – Get your questions answered and learn about new offerings from exhibitors. Including Ventura Grain, Bristol Community College, Farm Bureau, Organic Gem, Farm Credit East, Fuel the Fleet, Fieldworks, Padula Brothers, Farm Family Insurance, SEMAP, Whole Foods, Rhode Island Raised Livestock Association, and more. During Lunch: Updates on farm grant & cost-share programs from USDA, MDAR, FSA, NRCS, SBA, BCCD, and others.
1:30 – 3:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. All you wanted to know about AI and were afraid to ask! – Kim Tarvis from Kansas State, will discuss many aspects of reproduction and the practice of artificial insemination.
2. Purchasing Public Land – Attorney Matt Thomas will discuss the general principles of the RFP process and strategies for both the farmer looking to bid on the land and the municipality selling the land. Learn what your options are and how to make them work for you. Attorney Thomas encourages particpants to come with your questions. (cont. thru next session 3:00 – 4:00 pm)
3. Retort Tour & Demo – Bob Wells from New England Biochar will bring two of his retort systems and demonstrate how biochar is made.

3:00 – 4:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. Artificial Insemination Demo – Kim Tarvis will lead the group through an onsite AI demonstration.
2. Purchasing Public Land – Attorney Matt Thomas will discuss the general principles of the RFP process and strategies for both the farmer looking to bid on the land and the municipality selling the land. Learn what your options are and how to make them work for you. Attorney Thomas encourages particpants to come with your questions. (cont. from last session 1:30 – 3:00 pm)
3. Biochar 101 – Bob Wells will discuss biochar what it is, and what it’s not. How it can make you money, and improve your soil, all while making the world a better place.