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Field Days 2011

OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS:



11th Annual NODPA Field Days
September 29 & 30, 2011:
'Organic Dairy: What Does the Future Hold?'
Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, Milford, NY

To download a printable registration form, found at bottom of page.
To download our Field Days Brochure, found at bottom of page.

Added July 28, 2011. We are very excited about this year's NODPA Field Days, taking place in Cooperstown, NY. We hope that you can make it, as we have an incredible line-up of speakers and topics to cover, delicious local/organic food and a wonderful tradeshow where you will be able to visit with your peers and meet many of the businesses and resource individuals that service the needs of organic dairy farmers. There is a small registration fee to attend the event, but if you are an organic or transitioning dairy producer, the admission is FREE. The Thursday banquet dinner is also FREE to transitioning producers and their families.

At the 2011 NODPA Field Days, Prominent leaders in Organic Dairy will be answering questions about our future in the face of widespread use of GM seeds; private label milk and its impact on pay price; how to have a strong collective voice; grazing management; and embracing record keeping so that it works for you.We will also be visiting Raindance Organic Farm where we will get a tour of Siobhan Griffin's organic dairy and see her organic cheese making operation. We will also spend some time in her pastures with grazing specialist Troy Bishopp, where he will help us evaluate our pastures and learn how to monitor and manage for success. In the evening we will listen to our Keynote Speaker, Organic Dairy Producer and Author, Francis Thicke who will discuss future challenges and opportunities facing organic dairy.

Below you will find a complete agenda for the two days and a description of our featured speakers. Important links listed above allow you to download our brochure, register, and learn about sponsoring or having a tradeshow table. We hope to see you there!

Have questions? Call Nora Owens, Field Days Coordinator, 413-772-0444, or email her at noraowens@comcast.net.

AGENDA:

Thursday, September 29, 2011

9:00 am to noon: Farm Tour, Siobhan Griffin's Raindance Farm, 2518 County Highway 35, Schenevus, NY, 12155. Field Days registration will take place after the farm tour. This event is sponsored by NODPA, NOFA-NY and Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative.

9:00-9:30: Farm tour registration and breakfast refreshments

9:30-Noon: Tour Raindance Organic Farm (www.raindanceorganicfarm.com) and view Siobhan Griffin's organic cheese making operation where she produces Organic Sun Cheese, organic veal, pork, sausage, eggs and more that she sells locally and at farmers markets in and around NYC. Follow the tour with a pasture based 'Reading the Landscape' workshop presented by Troy Bishopp, grazing specialist, SWCD/Upper Susquehanna Coalition, where you will learn how to assess whether your pastures are moving forward or backward in productivity and profitability by monitoring (assessing) the percentage of forage ground cover, biological activity, plant species diversity, earthworm and dung beetle populations, and more.

12:30 -1:30: NODPA Field Days Registration and Lunch
Banquet Hall at Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, 138 Towers Rd., Milford, NY 13807

1:30 – 3:00: Facts and Fiction: Demystifying Private Label Milk
What we need to know about private label milk and whether it impacts pay price. Panel: Peter Miller, Organic Valley; Horizon Organic and Upstate Niagara representatives (invited)

3:30 – 5:00: Producer Meeting: (Open to all Field Days Participants)

5:00 – 6:00: Social Hour and Trade Show: light refreshments and time to visit the tradeshow

6:00 – 7:00: Banquet Dinner: Organic Pig Roast

7:00 – 8:00: Keynote Speaker: Francis Thicke, organic dairy farmer, leader in the organic industry, author and former candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture discusses the future challenges and opportunities facing Organic Dairy.

8:00 – 9:00: NODPA Annual Meeting:
• Welcome from Rick Segalla, NODPA President
• NODPA Year in Review, Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
• Report from the regions and a FOOD Farmers Update

Friday, September 30, 2011

6:30 – 9:00 am: Continental Breakfast and Trade Show, banquet hall.

7:00 – 8:30: Producer-Only Meeting (location to be announced)

7:30 – 8:30: YouTube video on Economic Impacts of Heavy Industrial Activities in the Town of Ulysses, PA, a one-hour video on Natural Gas Exploration with Carolyn Knapp and Carol French, two dairy farmers from Bradford County, PA who give a comprehensive, boots-on-the-ground tour of the positives and negatives of natural gas exploration, banquet hall.

9:00 – 10:30: Natural Gas Exploration: What impact will it have on Organic Certification? Panel Speakers: James Northrup, oil and gas industry expert, Lisa Engelbert, NOFA-NY Certifier, Paul Allen, PA organic dairy farmer.

10:30 – 10:45 Milk Break and Trade Show

10:45 – 12:15: Advocacy Groups in the Organic Dairy Marketplace: Why they are important and necessary. Facilitator: Liana Hoodes, National Organic Coalition. Panel: Francis Thicke, and Kevin Engelbert, dairy farmers, Organic Trade Association representative (invited).

12:30 – 2:00: Lunch, Trade Show and Door Prize Drawing

2:00 – 4:00 Thinking-man's grazing: Learning how to plan your grazing for profit, production and success. This workshop offers practical, hands-on learning experience on grazing plan strategies and will include examples of farms that have applied these methods. Attendees will learn how to plan their grazing ahead of time to meet their personal production goals. Troy Bishopp, grazing specialist, SWCD/Upper Susquehanna Coalition.

4:00 pm: Meeting ends

Featured Speakers:

Troy Bishopp:

Troy Bishopp, "The Grass Whisperer" comes to us from Deansboro, NY, and with his family, owns and operates Bishopp Family Farm, a 5th generation, 132 year old farmstead that is home to a Custom Grazing operation that finishes beef and backgrounds feeder cattle on 450 acres of owned and leased native pastures, and is home to an emerging Cow-calf operation. Their beef has been served at President Obama's inaugural dinners, high-end restaurants, even in Japan. In addition, Troy works for the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition as their regional grazing specialist; is a project leader for a NESARE-funded professional development grazing training project through the Central New York Resource Conservation and Development Council in Norwich NY, writes a monthly column for Lancaster Farming and is President of the Mohawk Valley Toastmasters. To learn more, visit his website: www.thegrasswhisperer.com.

Francis Thicke:

Francis and his wife, Susan, own and operate an 80-cow, grass-based, organic dairy near Fairfield, Iowa. They have a processing plant on their farm where they process all the milk from their cows. They produce bottled milk, cheese and yogurt which they market through grocery stores and restaurants in their local community. All their milk products are sold within four miles of their farm. Francis and Susan's farming operation is considered innovative in many respects, including how they integrate livestock onto the landscape in an ecologically sound way, their value-added dairy processing, the design and management of their grazing system, and their use of alternative energy systems.

In addition to farming, Francis is a soil scientist, author of A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture for the 21st Century, 2010; a leader in the national organic community; has served on numerous agricultural state and national boards and advisory groups, and was a 2010 candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

Directions

From the West (Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica): Take I-90 to Exit 30 (Herkimer); take State Route 28 South into Cooperstown; turn right at "T" intersection and continue to follow Rte 28S approximately 4 miles; go past McDonalds, Pizza Hut and traffic light; take next right onto Seminary Road; follow 1½ mile to 'T' junction. Turn left on Towers Road; Beaver Valley is 1 mile on left.
From the East (Albany, New England): Follow I-90 West to New York State; stay on I-90 W through Albany to Exit 25A; follow I-88 toward Binghamton; take exit 17; follow State Rte 28 N for 12-13 miles. Go past the Cooperstown Dreams Park on the right; take next left onto Seminary Road; follow 1½ mile to 'T' junction. Turn left on Towers Road; Beaver Valley is 1 mile on left.
From the South (Binghamton and eastern PA): Follow I-88 East into Oneonta; take Exit 17 and follow State Route 28 North 12-13 miles. Go past the Cooperstown Dreams Park on the right; take next left onto Seminary Road; follow 1½ mile to 'T' junction. Turn left on Towers Road; Beaver Valley is 1 mile on left.

Accommodations:

Beaver Valley is offering special rates for NODPA Field Days participants. To make reservations, call 800-726-7314 or 607-293-7324. To view your options, visit:

www.beavervalleycampground.com

Campsites with water, electric and sewer are $20.00 per night.

1 bedroom log cabin trailers with sleeping loft sleeps up to 4 adults, $62.50 per night. Bedroom has 2 sets of bunk beds; one set has a double mattress with a twin bunk on top and the other has twin mattresses. The loft has two twin mattresses on a carpeted floor. The cabin has a kitchen, bathroom, dining area and front porch. It's located within a few yards of the banquet hall. Linens are not provided, so you will need to bring your own.

There are also extensive lodging options to choose from in the area: motels, inn and suites hotels, bed & breakfasts and even historic inns. For a wide selection visit: www.thisiscooperstown.com, or use www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com


NODPA’s 11th Annual Field Days And Producer Meeting
September 29 and 30, 2011, Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites,
Milford, New York

If you have any questions about any of the ways you can support NODPA’s Field Days, please call Nora Owens at 413-772-0444, or send email to noraowens@comcast.net

Added June 7, 2011. NODPA’s 11th Annual Field Days and Annual meeting will be held at the Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, Milford, New York on September 29 & 30, 2011. This two day event will highlight the internal and external opportunities and challenges for producers as demand for organic dairy products is on the rise and supply remains static. We will ask the following questions:

  • What can producers do to determine their own future in the face of widespread use of GM seeds with increased contamination of organic crops and the pollution of our soil and water in the search for gas?
  • Should producers be concerned about the increasing volumes of organic milk being sold as private label and what does that do for our pay price?
  • How can producers be involved in advocating for regulation and policy change without becoming part of the “circular firing squad?”
  • Can grazing and caring for livestock still be fun and profitable in the face of increased recordkeeping and regulation?

The event starts in the morning of the 29th with a tour of Siobhan Griffin’s Raindance Farm in the foothills of the Catskills where she milks 90 cows that graze on 200 acres. Participants will learn about incorporating cheese production into their dairy farm and the process of developing markets, creating products and on farm processing of cheese. Troy Bishopp will be at the farm and show producers how to 'Read the Landscape.' Troy is regional grazing specialist from the Madison Co. SWCD/Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and participants in the workshop will learn how to assess whether their pastures are moving forward or backward in productivity and profitability by monitoring (assessing) % forage ground cover, biological activity, plant species diversity, earthworm and dung beetle populations, and much more.

We are experimenting with a different format this year with a producer meeting in the afternoon of September 29th preceded by a panel discussion entitled “Facts and Fiction: Demystifying Private Label Milk” at which industry professionals will discuss what we need to know about private label milk and whether it impacts pay price. The producer meeting in the afternoon will be open to everyone as we explore the future of organic dairy and how producers can ensure their voice is heard in regulatory, policy and marketplace issues.

We are honored to have Francis Thicke as our keynote speaker after our banquet on the evening of September 29th. Francis is an organic dairy farmer and soil scientist who has been a leader in the organic community for many years and very innovative in his farming and marketing practices. He is a leading advocate for sustainable and organic agriculture and recently ran unsuccessfully for the the position of Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa. Francis will challenge us to take more control of our future as organic dairy producers by sharing his own farming experience and vision for the future. Francis Thicke published his book, “A New Vision of Iowa Food and Agriculture” in June 2010.

A producer-only meeting will be held early Friday morning, and beginning at 9 am, workshops will include “Natural Gas Exploration: What impact will it have on Organic Certification?” and “Advocacy Groups in the Organic Dairy Marketplace: Why they are important and necessary.” In the afternoon we will have a workshop entitled “Thinking-man's grazing: Learning how to plan your grazing for profit, production and success.” This workshop offers practical, hands-on learning experience on grazing plan strategies and will include examples of farms that have applied these strategies. Attendees will learn how to plan their grazing ahead of time to meet their personal production goals. Troy Bishopp, who will lead the presentation, is a grazing consultant and a Holistic Management Educator from the Madison Co. SWCD/Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and a project leader for a NESARE funded professional development grazing training project through the CNY RC&D Council in Norwich, NY.


11th Annual NODPA Field Days, September 29 & 30, 2011
Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, Milford, NY
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & TRADESHOW INFORMATION

Sponsorship/Tradeshow Form (PDF) found at bottom of page

NODPA is seeking support from our dedicated partners in the form of monetary and in-kind sponsorship in order to create an event that is fully educational, well-run and affordable. By sponsoring this event, your organization will be supporting family farms in the Northeast that farm organically to improve our environment and support the next generation of organic family farmers. Please provide us with your information on the attached sheet (above) and send it to:

Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
30 Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342

At the Lead Sponsor level ($3000 and above) you will receive the following:

  • Special recognition at the Field Days and in all materials prior to the event (prominent mention in press releases and media, as well as preferred name and logo placement in all signage, print and web based materials)
  • Business/organization logo and/or name listed in all printed and web based materials as Lead Sponsor for the event (on signage, in thanks from NODPA board, with Lead Sponsors at the top of the signage and 1st to be acknowledged)
  • Featured in more than 5000 Field Days brochures mailed and distributed at other farming events
  • Logo and listing in the September NODPA News prior to the event and in the November NODPA News after the event
  • Prominent logo and listing in NODPA’s monthly e-newsletter for August, September and October
  • NODPA website banner advertisement on one of the site’s top three most visited pages for up to three months prior to the event, including links to your website (advertising value: $375; NODPA’s website gets about 3000 new visits per month)
  • 1 Trade Show Table with registration and meals
  • 2 Registrations with meals

At the Sponsor level ($1001 to $2999) you will receive the following:

  • Business/organization logo and/or name listed in all printed and web based materials as Sponsor for the event (on signage, in press releases and media)
  • Acknowledgement at Field Days (signage and thanks from NODPA board)
  • Featured in more than 5000 Field Days brochures mailed and distributed at other farming events
  • Logo and listing in the September NODPA News prior to the event and in the November NODPA News after the event
  • NODPA website banner advertisement for two months, including links to your website (advertising value: $250; NODPA’s website gets about 3000 new visits per month)
  • 1 Trade Show Table with registration and meals
  • 1 Registration with meals

At the Supporter level (up to $1000) you can expect the following:

  • Business/organization name listed in all print and web based materials as a Field Days supporter
  • Logo and listing in over 5000 Field Days brochures mailed or distributed at other farming events
  • Listed on all Field Days signage at the event
  • Public thanks by NODPA’s board at Field Days
  • Listing in the September NODPA News prior to the event and in the November NODPA News after the event

Trade Show Information and Application

The NODPA will again offer its annual Field Days Trade Show which brings together businesses and non-profits to offer practical solutions and information to enhance our participants’ farm businesses. There will be ample time for everyone to visit the trade show and talk with the vendors. A full table (6’) is $500 and a half table (3’) is $300.

Trade show space is limited and is offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Please download and complete the sponsorship/trade show application (PDF at bottom of page) and send it to:

Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
30 Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342

Food and Product Donation

The generous support from NODPA’s dedicated partners has allowed us to serve delicious meals and have a terrific drawing for product door prizes. If you are donating food products, your product will be showcased at every meal, with your company logo prominently displayed on placards at each table. If you would like to donate product for a door prize, your product will be prominently displayed for review at the trade show for the length of the Field Days. To assist us with planning, please complete the Food and Product Donation section (enclosed) and call or email Nora Owens if you have further questions or information (noraowens@comcast.net, 413-772-0444).

Deadlines:

If you would like to be listed in Field Days Brochure and in the September edition of the nationally distributed NODPA News, we must receive your information by Friday, July 15, 2011.

Questions?

If you have any questions about any of the ways you can support NODPA’s Field Days, please call Nora Owens at 413-772-0444, or send email to noraowens@comcast.net

Thank you for supporting NODPA’s 11th Annual Field Day!


11th Annual NODPA Field Days
September 29 & 30, 2011:
'Organic Dairy: What Does the Future Hold?'

Take-way from the NODPA
2011 Field Days

High cost of Feed and Inputs + Excessive Paperwork + a 2008
pay-price = disillusion with organic and inability to pay bills

Added October 18, 2011.

The NODPA Field Days was well attended in a bucolic surrounding, with great food (wonderful pig roast!) and great presentations on areas of key interest to organic dairy producers. The cordial and respectful discussions and networking gave the opportunity for some education on issues that are normally avoided and the ability to confront our responsibilities to the environment and our wider community.

The agenda for the meeting was designed to allow facilitated discussion on the state of organic and the challenges that both organic producers and all organic stakeholders face in the next five years as we feel the effects of what will inevitably be a regressive 2012/13 Farm and Nutrition Bill. The success of the meeting that most attendees commented on was due to respect amongst peers and appreciation of the dedication to organic production by all attendees. Many non-farmers attest to the lifestyle benefits that producers have to compensate for a lack of profit or return on equity. This Field Day attested to both the hypocrisy of that statement with producers struggling to stay afloat (literally in some cases) and the very real truth that in tough times the organic community will work together with respect and passion.

Organic dairying is a business that needs to be profitable to support current practitioners and attract the next generation. What was evident from this meeting was that regardless of where producer’s milk was sold, the following concerns existed for all:

  • Cost and availability of feed;
  • Increase in utility cost, insurance, taxes, fuel and other inputs;
  • A pay price that is the same as 2008;
  • Increase in organic certification paperwork and lack of consistency in implementation of new pasture rules by inspectors and certifiers;
  • Fear of restrictive and overly detailed new regulation dominated by consumer concerns rather than recognizing that organic is already the gold standard for production agriculture;
  • Powerless to obtain any changes in:
    • Producers share of the retail dollar – retailers’ aggressive negotiating and control plus fear of inelastic demand over $4 per half gallon
    • Pay price – small increases of 50 cents and a dollar per hundred pounds reflect the difficulty in producers making their voice heard
    • Producers return on a growing market – times are good in the marketplace with high price conventional milk, expanding sales of approximately 13% year over year and a tightening supply, but none of this is translating into a pay price that reflects 2011-12 costs of production.

There will be a more detailed description of the Field Days highlights in the next NODPA newsletter.