Sustainable Organic Dairy Field Day Feb. 13 in Morris

CONTACT: Terry VanDerPol, 320-269-2105, tlvdp@landstewardshipproject.org
Paul Sobocinski, 507-342-2323, sobopaul@redred.com

1/24/07
MORRIS, Minn.—A field day on sustainable organic dairy farming will be held Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, Minn. Lunch will be provided. The event is free but a free-will offering will be accepted to cover costs. To register and for more information, contact Terry VanDerPol at 320-269-2105 or tlvdp@landstewardshipproject.org, or Paul Sobocinski at 507-342-2323 or sobopaul@redred.com. Participants are urged to dress for an outdoor farm tour in the morning.

The field day will focus on low cost winter housing such as compost packs, winter feeding options, maintaining herd health without antibiotics and profitable management strategies. WCROC conducts extensive research into organic and low input dairy production, and the center’s dairy scientist, Dennis Johnson, will be a key presenter. (For more on WCROC’s research and outreach, see http://wcroc.coafes.umn.edu). 

Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by a tour of the Center’s facilities. The tour will feature compost packs for winter housing and winter feeding of replacement stock on pastures. Following a local-foods lunch, several speakers will address the issues of marketing organic dairy products and resources for new and transitioning organic dairy farmers. Presenters include Steve Koering, an organic dairy farmer and vice president of Minnesota National Farmers Organization; Bob Olson of Food Alliance Midwest; and Jeremy Lanctot of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Dairy Team and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. Panelists will field audience questions.

The Center is located off Highway 59 in Morris, opposite the University of Minnesota campus. Watch for a large sign indicating the University of Minnesota and the West Central Research and Outreach Center; follow the signs to the WCROC administration building.

This event is sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project, Cooperative Development Services and the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives. Co-sponsors include WCROC, the Minnesota National Farmers Organization and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. It is funded in part by a grant from USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

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