News Releases : New Farmer Workshop Series - Raising Small Livestock and Heritage Breeds

News Release
Date: January 25, 2006 Phone: 518-746-2560
Contact Person: Laura McDermott 1-800-548-0881

New Farmer Workshop Series - Raising Small Livestock and Heritage Breeds

On Saturday, February 4th, from 9 to 11:30 am, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington, Saratoga and Warren Counties will hold the seventh in a series of workshops aimed at providing resources and training to small and beginning farmers and rural landowners. Whether you are an existing farmer or are exploring the possibilities, there will be something to learn from the New Farmer Workshop series. You can come to one class or come to them all. An instructor will lead the class; often, active farmers will be present to give their view of the industry. Resources will be supplied and there will be others present in the process of similar decision making.

On Saturday, February 4th, Sandy Ferry of Cornell Cooperative Extension will lead a discussion about Raising Small Livestock and Heritage Breeds. Sheep, goats, llamas, poultry and more fall into the small livestock category. This meeting will cover basic production practices and considerations specific to contemplating a livestock related business. Production methods including organic, pasture based, and commercial will be discussed. Mary and Bob Pratt of Elihu farm will talk about how and why they raise meat goats and sheep. Mary Festa of Hi Diddle farm will talk about how her family started raising meat goats, beef cattle including some heritage breeds, and meat rabbits.

Registration should be made in advance and is $10/person. The class is held at the Washington County Annex #2, 411 Lower Main Street in Hudson Falls. For more information or to register, call 746-2560.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities