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I am going with a friend, we are bringing a trailer because I plan on doing some shopping 🙂

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As a Land Grant graduate I often say that I went to school to learn how not to farm, but so far none of the papers have used that quote from me. It was get big or get out, professors joked about abolishing tie stall barns and how little tractors only had 6 wheels. I really didn’t get a whole lot from school that I could apply to the life that I thought that I wanted and am finally starting to live. With that said since then I have started to see some changes that I like. Cornell for example has a new farmer online course program a small farms program. Their sustainable Ag course used to address 3rd world issues and now it is about alternative farming in our country. I recently attended a soil pathogen course and often at Extension course I have to raise my hand after they talk about all of the “cides” that one can use and ask about any more organic alternatives and that was not the case this day. They talked of crop rotations, beneficial insects and cover crops, then at the end they mentioned some “cides” that might work, but that it was best to use the non-chemical methods. We actually had the Dr. that is researching the Garlic Bloat Nematode there to ask questions, he was clearly about using the most effective methods and refreshingly, a spray rig was not part of his answers.

It has been years since I have heard Dr. Bauman lecture, but it does not surprise me that a Monsanto employee is part of his research group, since he claims to have developed synthetic BSt that Monsanto then bought from him. There is no doubt that there are financial ties between land grants and Big Ag, but I think that like Tim, not all professors are under the influence. My soil pathogen class certainly made me hopeful that some schools are coming around to a better school of thought.

In the mean time I really want to say that since being involved with another state’s extension service, I totally appreciate now what NY offered to its farmers. Though not exactly what we want done with our tax dollars at least we have agents, many well involved with their industry. Thankfully I will be able to remain in the Capital District Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Program, I see now that it is worth the money for the weekly pest, disease and crop updates. Sometime you don’t know how good you have it until you see what little support others have.

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In such beautiful county as Hebron, it is hard to limit yourself to only 12 miles 🙂

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Mark,

I have a good friend that switched to vinyl from deer hair a couple years ago and only goes back to the deer hair to match the the good harness for special occasions. The vinyl may sweat the pasture right out of them, but no sores from working all day.

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Jay- like anything check reins can be abusive in certain situations (think Black Beauty) and in other situations they seem extreme also like the 6 horse hitches at the fairs where often they use an over check and side check simultaneously. To a working horse they make a great anti-grazing device and are seldom adjusted in any extreme fashion, in fact I know some that only use them when the horses are are rest to prevent grazing and then unhook them for heavy work. They are what we make of them and they can be a great tool.

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Welcome Rob and Family,

I miss Washington County (NY), I used to live in Easton and started my adventures there as an AI tech, Hebron was one of my favorite places to drive through and I used to stop at the General Store in Hebron for refreshments after tackling the big herd down the Black Creek Road. We look forward to you joining us here and hope to see you at some events with your herd 🙂

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I was included in the Bekah emailings as the newsletter editor looking for content. I am not working with Bekah on this as I have 3 other articles that I am working on. I thought that Ed and Jean were working with Bekah on this information.

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If you have access to corn cobs they make great tasty smoke as well, you could add that as an option if they are a by product of anything that you do.

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I had a great time and I am sure that Ted and Nancy are thrilled with the out come. Be on the look out in June for a NH Chronicle youtube clip of the event!

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I have a pair of freshly bathed steers, a pot of chicken soup (and yes one of the birds is a Dominique), 100 DAPNet brochures with the new logo, a just fixed stone boat and some guy named Carl said that not only can I use his truck and trailer, but also that he would help me load his Les Barden Log Cart in the morning. I am so fortunate to have such good neighbors. The steers and I are rather soft but I have been working them a little each day all week and today we hooked into a few sticks of spruce so we are good to go as long as we pace ourselves. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

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I am not really ready for another pair yet, but if you aren’t keeping an eye out you’ll never find what you want. Just thought I would throw you an equal challenge. I sent them a note and encouraged them to email if they are blessed with a pair of blues, or to post any other nicely match pairs of calves to our site here. Expanding the network!

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We would like to Thank our current sponsors for their support and interest.

Rural Vermont for their continued support as our Fiscal Sponsor. While we await a 501(c)3 status they handle our tax deductible donations.
Claremont Animal Hospital of Claremont, NH
Meader Supply Corp. of Rochester, NH
Anne & Eric Nordell of Trout Run, PA (proud sponsors of our Summer Newsletter)
Anonymous for Sponsoring Anthony Mecca, recipient of our Spring Plowing Clinic with Sam Rich Scholarship Award

Here is a direct link to our site where you can click on the work “here” at the end of the Sponsorship Information, this will give you a PDF download with all of the following information.

Draft Animal Power Network Sponsorship Benefits[/SIZE

______ORGANIZATION SPONSOR ($2,500):
1) Large Banner recognition at Events
2) Logo advertisement on DAP Net Website
3) Full page ad space in Event Programs and 1/2 page in Newsletters
4) Complementary exhibit space at 4 DAPNet events (includes admission for two)*
5) Logo and Acknowledgement in Promotional Materials, Website and Newsletter
6) 1/2 hour presentation slot at any event attended
7) DAPNet Business Membership with online business directory listing (logo, contact
information, and brief description)

______ BENEFACTOR ($1,000):
1) Small Banner recognition at Events
2) Logo advertisement on the DAPNet Website
3) Half page ad space in one Event Program and Newsletter
4) Complementary exhibit space and admission for two at one of our Events*
5) Logo and Acknowledgement in Promotional Materials, Website and Newsletter
6) DAPNet Business Membership with online business directory listing (logo, contact,
information, and brief description)

______ CONTRIBUTOR ($500):
1) DAPNet Business Membership with online business directory listing (logo, contact,
information, and brief description)
2) Complementary exhibit space at one of our Events
3) Logo and Acknowledgement in Promotional Material, Website and Newsletter
4) Admission for two to one Event*
5) Quarter page ad in one of our Newsletters or one Event Program

______ SUPPORTER ($300):
1) DAPNet Business Membership with online business directory listing (logo, contact,
information, and brief description)
2) Acknowledgement in Promotional Material/Website/Newsletter
3) Admission for two for one Event (Exhibitor space additional)*
4) Eighth page ad in one of our Newsletters or Event Program

______ ADVOCATE ($150):
1) DAPNet Business Membership with online business directory listing (logo, contact,
information, and brief description)
2) Acknowledgement in Promotional Material/Website/Newsletter

______ FRIEND ($75 or less):
1) Acknowledgement in Promotional Material/Website/Newsletter

*Admission for two will be as auditors to clinics or other hands on participatory events.

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Welcome Jay,

It is good to have another member from NY, it is a great place to live, I miss it but VT is nice too. Welcome to the forum and we look forward to having you as a member.

Erika
Formerly from Scotia, NY

PS EJB- where in CT? I may be moving there too and there are some good teamsters to learn from in CT.

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I called my friend looking for holistic farm management info and to discuss farmers market politics, when we finished she quickly changed the subject to her new family cow. She dropped a bull calf 3 weeks ago and when I asked what her Ayr/short was crossed to she said the same, but that they were now crossing to milking devons. This was a total random call to someone that I rarely talk to on the phone, but I guess the universe works in mysterious ways!

In less than 24 hours I found a source for a highly unlikely cross, I thought you were crazy, but now I know I am the crazy one 🙂 Do you have dibs on Hugh’s next two bull calves?

Now how about you find me a matched pair of blue roan bull calves 🙂 That would be something.

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http://www.localharvest.org/threshold-farm-M321

Thresh Hold Farm in NY has a herd of Ayrshire/ shorthorn crosses, heavy on the Ayrshire. I spoke with a friend who just bought a bred heifer, she said that they just started breeding to a MD bull. They have an nice well handled herd check them out!

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