Farm Beginnings Pork Production Field Day
May 3 Near Kerkhoven
CONTACT: Amy Bacigalupo, 320-269-2105, amyb@landstewardshipproject.org
4/28/08
KERKHOVEN, Minn.—The production and direct marketing of pork, beef and chickens will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings public field day Saturday, May 3, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on Pastures A Plenty Farm near Kerkhoven. To register and for more information, contact the Land Stewardship Project’s Amy Bacigalupo at 320-269-2105 or amyb@landstewardshipproject.org.
Pastures A Plenty (www.prairiefare.com/pastureshp.htm) is owned and operated by the VanDerPol family. Over the years, they've used the Holistic Management decision- making model to transition their conventional farm into an operation that produces hogs, cattle and chickens using alternative methods such as deep-bedded hoop houses and managed rotational grazing.
During the field day, the VanDerPols will discuss how they use Holistic Management to make decisions that take into account the environment, family quality of life, the community and long-term profitability. They will also discuss how they market to food co-ops, local restaurants and directly to consumers via their on-farm meat store. Finally, the field day will feature a discussion of hog farrowing and hog health issues, as well as the VanDerPols' replacement heifer operation.
-30-
