by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
For most adults, the schooldays may be long gone; however, some want to learn more about how farms operate. That’s why hosting a farm school can help you educate others while creating an additional revenue stream. Paul Dorrance, owner of Pastured Providence Farmstead in Chillicothe, Ohio, and Karen Kopf, owner of Kopf Canyon Ranch in Troy, Idaho, presented “Host a Farm School for Adults” as a recent webinar. (more…)
by Hope Holland
With all the bad news about ticks and Lyme disease it would appear for the equine community there is more to come. Horses are now showing symptoms of Lyme disease that are not only concerning in that they inhibit the work they are trained and used for but also possibly dangerous to those who ride and work with them. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
Whether you own a large equestrian facility or a few draft horses, knowing how to prevent barn fires, protect your animals from wildfires and safely evacuate from any fire threat are imperative. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Whether a farmer or not, aches and pains creep up on us all. Very often, those maladies manifest as knee pain – and trying to work while one (or two) of your most important joints isn’t working correctly can cause serious problems. Ned Stoller, with Michigan AgrAbility and founder of Disability Work Tools, recently presented “Working with Knee Pain in Agriculture” at this year’s Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo. (more…)
by Rebecca Long Chaney
DENVER – It was a great day on the hill here for Sheridan Chaney and her Red Angus steer Milo at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). The Elwood, NE, 16-year-old’s dream came true Jan. 12 when she was named the NWSS Catch-a-Calf (CAC) Grand Champion. Chaney is formerly of Thurmont, MD. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
SYRACUSE, NY – At the annual New York State Agricultural Society meeting, it’s tradition to hear from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner on the state of agriculture. “This is probably the best and one of the largest networking opportunities in the country. The opportunity to renew friendships has been special to me for many years. Things I learned here inspired much of what my farm is doing today,” said the Schoharie County farmer and Ag Commissioner Richard Ball. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Ag technology is rapidly advancing, especially for dairy farms. While it’s tough for dairy farmers to consider spending money for something they may not be sure is right for them, there’s a good chance an activity monitoring system will save money over time. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
There is a glimmer of hope for New York farmers still looking for clarification and expansion of a key part of the Farm Laborers Fair Practices Act. Thanks to a 30-day extension of a legal stay, the definitions for farm laborers will continue to be refined until at least Feb. 28. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Last year was a difficult year for farmers. That’s how David Fisher, president of New York Farm Bureau, kicked off the conference call on Jan. 29 to discuss their top priorities for the 2020 legislative session. That statement was essentially the bad news before the good news, however. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Parents seeking daycare and summertime educational enrichment crave more options for their children. That’s where farms seeking an additional revenue stream can offer day camping. But it takes some preparation before farmers can open their acres to eager young campers. Food Animal Concerns Trust presented “Planning Ahead for Farm Camps for Kids” as a recent webinar. Samantha Gasson, co-owner of Bull City Farm in Rougemont, NC, and Ana Skemp, co-owner of Deep Roots Community Farm, presented. (more…)
by George Looby
There are few sights more wholesome than a flock of hens busily scratching around in a backyard setting. It is somewhat disturbing to learn, however, that tranquil picture may have real problems just under the surface. Dan Flynn reported in Food Safety News that all but one U.S. state has reported outbreaks of Salmonella attributed to contact with backyard flocks. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
It’s got some big advantages, but it’s not quite as simple as it might sound. Grazing multiple species of livestock together in the same pastures, either simultaneously or successively, requires an understanding of pasture growth, health and biology. It also requires a working knowledge of how each species of livestock grazes, their nutritional needs and their handling. (more…)
