Grazing School Workshop with Sarah Flack
This full-day workshop will cover basic principles of well-established grazing systems in a morning classroom session, followed by an afternoon at Watson Farm in Jamestown, RI.
The morning session will first cover grazing from the perspective of the plants, soils, and livestock. Once we put those important pieces together, we will discuss how to monitor pasture plants, soil health, and animal well-being. In the afternoon, we will observe how long-term rotational grazing can improve pasture productivity and quality, improve soil health, and keep livestock healthy and productive.
Additional topics covered during the day include pasture plant species and variety selection, adjusting stocking rates and stoc...
This full-day workshop will cover basic principles of well-established grazing systems in a morning classroom session, followed by an afternoon at Watson Farm in Jamestown, RI.
The morning session will first cover grazing from the perspective of the plants, soils, and livestock. Once we put those important pieces together, we will discuss how to monitor pasture plants, soil health, and animal well-being. In the afternoon, we will observe how long-term rotational grazing can improve pasture productivity and quality, improve soil health, and keep livestock healthy and productive.
Additional topics covered during the day include pasture plant species and variety selection, adjusting stocking rates and stock densities, supplemental feed, pre- and post-grazing heights, regrowth periods, and paddock sizing and acreage requirements.
Detailed Scheduled
Parking & Arrivals: 9:45-10 AM
Morning Workshop: 10 AM – Noon
Lunch: 12-1 PM (Provided by Ocean Hour Farm)
Watson Farm Visit: 1 – 4:30 PM
Please bring a reusable water bottle, a notepad, and a pen. Please wear clean, closed-toe shoes or boots to reduce biosecurity risks, and clothing appropriate for walking through tall grass.
About the Guest Teacher
Sarah Flack is an author, consultant, and speaker specializing in grass-based livestock farming systems. She began teaching and consulting in the 1990s after growing up on a grass-based livestock farm and then studying farm business and agronomy. She has had the privilege of working with hundreds of farms and speaking with thousands of farmers at workshops and conferences. Sarah combines this life experience with her education in business planning and the science of agronomy and grazing to help farmers make well-informed decisions. Her goal is to create more successful grass-based livestock farms and empower farmers to create positive change in pastures, soils, livestock, farm finances, and farmers’ quality of life. Sarah is the author of The Art and Science of Grazing and Organic Dairy Production. She co-authored Vermont Grass-Based Beef Profitability: Lessons and Budgets, The Grass-Based Dairy Production Manual, and, most recently, Commercial Pasture-Based Sheep Production in Vermont, as well as numerous articles.