University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Maine Grass Farmers Network, the National Grazing Land Coalition, and Northern Tilth announce a three-day series of workshops focused on pasture and forage management on Aug. 26-28. These hands-on workshops are designed to help farmers, graziers and landowners improve their grazing practices and soil health.
Troy Bishopp, practical grass whisperer and Northeastern Region resource manager, will lead the workshop series. With decades of experience in pasture management, grazing plan design and training, Bishopp is a nationally-recognized expert. He will be joined by Graham Mallory, practical farmer and Northern Tilth consultant, and Jaime Garzon, assistant Extension professor and forage educator, to provide additional expertise about Maine-specific livestock production, forage identification and grazing management planning. The workshops are free to attend and are designed as stand alone workshops or as a series on managed dairy grazing.
The first workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Aug. 26 at The Milkhouse, a certified organic dairy farm in Monmouth. This pasture walk will be a practical discussion on regenerative pasture management, including grazing, forage and weed identification and strategies for efficient fencing.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the workshop moves to Reed Farm in Windsor. This session, from 10 a.m. to noon, aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools needed for effective grazing planning and pasture management. Presenters will delve into the key considerations for creating a robust grazing plan, offering practical insights into how to read the land from a farmer’s perspective.
The series concludes on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport, with a discussion to build upon key planning procedures, economics and strategic decision-making. This session will teach participants how to use a grazing chart effectively, explore methods for handling unexpected challenges and build resilience into your operation. By the end, participants will have a clear understanding of what a grazing plan looks like in action and the practical nuances of day-to-day management.
Visit the event webpage for more information and to register. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Melissa Babcock at 207-581-2788 or [email protected].
These workshops are a part of the education series supported by the collaboration of the New England Grazing Network with funding from the USDA Grazing Land Conservation Initiative.
