Panel to Focus on Alternative Dairy Production
Methods Dec. 18 in Paynesville

CONTACT: Nick Olson, LSP, Montevideo, 320-269-2105, nicko@landstewardshipproject.org

12/4/08
PAYNESVILLE, Minn.—A group of area dairy farmers will gather Thursday, Dec. 18, in Paynesville to discuss their operations and alternative production methods, as well as offer tips for beginning and transitioning farmers. Three area farmers—Joe Molitor, Hans Kroll and Karen Haverinen—will share their experiences during a special panel discussion from noon to 2 p.m. at the Paynesville Area Center, 1105 W. Main St. It is free and open to the public, and is being offered by the Land Stewardship Project’s (LSP) Farm Beginnings program. For more information, contact LSP’s Nick Olson at 320-269-2105 or nicko@landstewardshipproject.org.

LSP’s nationally-recognized Farm Beginnings course focuses on utilizing farmer-to-farmer education to get a new generation launched on the land. As a result, this panel discussion will offer real-life examples from a varied group of dairy farmers. Each farmer will share his/her story and operation details, followed by a question-and-answer period.

This is the 11th year LSP has offered the Farm Beginnings course in Minnesota. It is tailored to those who are considering entering farming, as well as those currently farming and looking to make changes to their operations. The Minnesota course has graduated over 360 individuals and families, and 60 percent of those graduates are currently farming. Farm Beginnings courses have also been offered in North Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois. A South Dakota Farm Beginnings course will be launched next year.

The Dec. 18 dairy panel discussion is being offered because of an increased interest and demand in alternative dairy production. Also, the Farm Beginnings class currently being held in Paynesville features a number of participants who are specifically interested in dairying, with many of them currently working on dairy farms. 

For more information about LSP and Farm Beginnings, visit www.farmbeginnings.org or call Olson at 320-269-2105.

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