Grazing Learning Journey to Missouri
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is sponsoring up to 30 dairy farmers and additional TA providers located in the Northeast to participate in a deep dive into innovative grazing methods in Missouri this May. The NE-DBIC will cover many travel costs for participants. Are you a dairy farmer or TA provider that is interested in coming with us?
Dates
May 11– 13, 2022 (excluding travel time). Participants should plan to be in Springfield, Missouri by the evening of May 10th and leave no earlier than the evening of the 13th.
Location
Based out of Springfield, Missouri, with day trips to approximately 8 area farms.
Experience
Three days of intensive, field-based education and discussion on the New Zealand grazing model and farmers' approaches to integrating those production practices into their farm systems. Hear from farmers and extension experts about animal feed management, monitoring tools/technology, and forage planning. Spend your days on-farm getting an up close look at other systems through pasture walks and farmer-to-farmer learning. Learn from experienced farmers about their own transitions to grazing and a variety of business models including contract milking and share-milking. Days will end with topic debriefs capped off with evening social events at a host of farms.
Tentative Agenda
Tuesday, May 10
6:00 PM CT: Evening welcome reception in Springfield, Missouri
Wednesday, May 11
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: depart hotel for 3 farm visits
6:00 PM: debrief of the day
6:30 PM: dinner
Thursday, May 12
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: depart hotel for 3 farm visits
5:30 PM: debrief of the day
6:00 PM: dinner
Friday, May 13
7:30 AM - 3:00 PM: depart hotel for 2 farm visits
3:00 - 4:00 PM: Final debrief
Costs for Participating Farmers
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center will cover the following costs for dairy farmers:
- Lodging for up to 4 nights
- Some meals
- Transportation to host farms
- Up to $1,000 in reimbursements for participant costs related to flights, travel to/from airport, wages to cover farm labor done while farmer is away, etc.
Participating farmers will be responsible for:
- Booking flights and transportation to/from airport
- Some meals
- Refundable $250 deposit to attend
- Submitting receipts for reimbursements up to $1,000
Costs for Participating TA Providers
This trip will center the needs and interests of farmers and will give first priority to farmers to participate. There are a limited number of spots set aside for TA providers. NE-DBIC will cover the cost of lodging, some meals, and transportation to host farms. TA providers will be responsible for booking and paying for their own travel expenses, some meals, and will need to provide a $500 refundable deposit to hold their spot.
Let us know you're interested!
Interested? Contact us ASAP: Kathryn.Donovan@vermont.gov or Laura.Ginsburg@vermont.gov.