UNITY – The Maine Grass Farmers Network is hosting a series of workshops at various farms around the state this summer.

Livestock farmers in Maine are learning about potential advantages of growing grass as carefully managed pasture for their livestock. Growing grass in Maine takes advantage of the short growing season.

Grass farming and pasture-raised livestock utilize pasture land effectively, while improving animal health, product quality, and market advantage. Pasture milk, meat, poultry and eggs have the potential for high nutritional content and higher market prices. Grass farming can increase profitability, helping to keep farms and farmland viable and maintaining the rural character of our communities.

The farmers network coordinators held a series of pasture walks last summer and a conference in October. This summer’s calendar lists topics for graziers of all types. A conference is scheduled for Aug. 27. Call 1-800-287-1426 for information. Farmer-consultants will be available to provide technical information and support to a network of grass-based farmers in Maine.

Pasture walks scheduled for this area include the following:

Pasture layour and road crossing are the topic for a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 19, in Sydney. For location and information, call 547-3814.

Pasturing horses will be the topic for the workshop at the Vienna Farm in Gorham from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 28. For more information, call 839-4495.

Managing water and wildlife areas in the pasture and marketing grass-fed beef will be the topic from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at John O’Donnell’s in Monmouth. For information, call 933-3052.

For more information and registration materials, contact: Diane Schivera, project coordinator at MOFGA at 568-4142; Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1426 or Dee Potter at 1-800-287-1421 from the Cooperative Extension; Paula Roberts of Meadowsweet Farm at 338-1265 or by e-mail at mgfn@prexar.com.

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