Begin forwarded message:

> From: Olga Boshart Moriarty <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: August 21, 2007 3:58:19 PM EDT
> To: NOFA-VT <[log in to unmask]>, Beth Holtzman <[log in to unmask]>, 
> Jennifer Colby <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask], 
> [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], 
> [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], 
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> Subject: Vermont Sheep Festival workshops announced
>
> THE 19th ANNUAL VERMONT SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL
> CHAMPLAIN VALLEY EXPOSITION
> ESSEX JUNCTION, VERMONT
>  September 8th & 9th, 2007
>
>
> RELEASE AT WILL
>
>  CONTACT: Kat Smith, 802-446-3325, or [log in to unmask]
>
>
> The Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival is proud to announce the following 
> animal husbandry workshops in addition to their already announced 
> fiber workshops.  If you are interested in learning more about animal 
> husbandry, purchasing your first flock of sheep, or have an existing 
> sheep/goat farm these workshops are for you!  To learn more about the 
> festival at large, visit:   www.vermontsheep.org.
>
>
>  
> SATURDAY, September 8th
>
> 10:30 am & 11:30 am:  Scrapie Update, presented by State Veterinarian, 
> Dr. Todd Johnson
>
> There have been a lot of developments this year in the Scrapie 
> eradication program.  Most notably, the state of Vermont has just 
> adopted new rules that now require mandatory official ID of sheep and 
> goats upon change of ownership or for exhibition within the state that 
> will allow the state to maintain its consistent state status under the 
> national program.  Understandably there are a lot of questions and 
> confusion about some of these changes and requirements.  This will be 
> an opportunity to answer your questions and get an update on the 
> current requirements. 
>
>  
>
> 10:30am:  Pests on Pastures: Wool Moths and Ticks in Vermont, 
> presented by State Entomologist, Jon Turmell 
>
> State Entomologist, Jon Turmell has a lot to offer in the world of 
> pests.  Wool moths and ticks can be of particular nuisance to Vermont 
> farmers.  Jon will answer your questions and give you some helpful 
> advice on your to protect your flock against these troublesome bugs.
>
>  
>
> 11:30am:  Sheep Nutrition, Matching the Feeds with the Needs, 
> presented by Sheep Specialist with UVM Extension, Chet Parsons.
>  Sheep, being ruminants, belong to a group of animals that are 
> "designed" to utilize forages.  We will start out by looking at how 
> the digestive system of a ruminant works.  We will then look at how 
> the nutritional needs of a sheep change through the different stages 
> of gestation, lactation and maintenance and how to balance the feeds 
> that you have with the needs of the sheep.  We will discuss diseases 
> that are related to feeding animals, such as metabolic diseases, and 
> how to prevent them.
>
> 1pm:  Grazing Management, How Best to Utilize Vermont's Abundant 
> Forages, presented by Sheep Specialist with UVM Extension, Chet 
> Parsons
> Vermont receives enough moisture most years to provide ample pasture 
> throughout the growing season.  Through proper pasture management, 
> this pasture can be maintained at high quality throughout the entire 
> growing season.  This pasture can be used to raise excellent lambs if 
> done properly.  However, there are some pitfalls.  The largest 
> probably being internal parasites.  Learn how you can take advantage 
> of this excellent pasture and keep parasites under control.  We will 
> also look at the cost associated with raising lambs on grass as 
> compared to raising lambs in confinement on grain.
>
>  
>
> Saturday, 1:30pm:  Before You Buy: Considerations On Starting with 
> Sheep, presented by Linda Doane
>
> So, you think you might want to get some sheep?  This presentation is 
> intended to provide the general considerations you need to think about 
> before purchasing sheep.  Topics include:  what breed works for you, 
> finding a breeder, fencing, facilities, ewes, lambs & rams, and feed 
> options.  Linda Doane, owner of Maple Ridge Sheep Farm in Randolph, 
> VT, has over 27 years of experience raising sheep and marketing their 
> products.  Bring your questions!
>
>  
>
> Saturday 2:45pm:  To Market, To Market:  How to Market your Sheep 
> Products, presented by Linda Doane
>
> Organic?  Conventional?  At your local farmers’ market, CSA, or 
> through a website?  There are many considerations on how to market 
> your sheep and goat products.  Before you start a business plan, get 
> some tips from Linda Doane, owner of Maple Ridge Sheep Farm in 
> Randolph, VT.  She has been marketing wool and sheep products for over 
> 27 years and can walk you through the many questions you may have when 
> considering making a livelihood from raising sheep and goats.
>
>  
>
> SUNDAY, September 9th
>
> Sunday, 11am:  May Safely Graze:  Protecting Your Livestock Against 
> Predators, presented by Eugene Fytche
>
> Are you concerned about predators (coyotes, domesticated dogs, bears) 
> for your sheep and goats and not sure about how much protection is 
> needed?  Eugene Fytche is a retired engineer who has owned a 
> commercial sheep flock near Ottawa, Canada for twenty years, and has 
> done extensive research into the coyote predation problem in Ontario. 
> He is the author of the book, May Safely Graze:  Protecting Your 
> Livestock Against Predators.  He will cover the basics to protecting 
> your flock:  management techniques, barriers, guardian animals, and 
> trapping.
>
>  
>
> Admission into the festival is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $1 
> for children under 12 years of age. A 2-day admission rate is also 
> available. $1.00 off admission coupon is on the website for visitors 
> to print out. Workshops are included in this admission fee.  No dogs 
> are allowed on the fairgrounds except those pre-approved for 
> demonstration purposes. The Champlain Valley Expo is handicap 
> accessible.
>
>  The Vermont Sheep & Goat Association is a non-profit organization 
> whose mission is to promote the state’s sheep and goat industry, and 
> provide comprehensive services, educational programs, and political 
> advocacy to Vermont’s sheep, goat and wool producers. For more 
> information on other VSGA events and educational opportunities, write 
> to VSGA, 2083 East Main Street, Richmond, Vermont 05477.
>
>  For more information on the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival visit 
> their website at www.vermontsheep.org or contact Kat Smith,
>  802-446-3325, or [log in to unmask]  Festival catalogues are 
> also available prior to the festival.
>
> ###