Pasture Walk - Low-Input Strategies for High-Quality Grass-Fed Milk

Pasture Walk - Low-Input Strategies for High-Quality Grass-Fed Milk

Join us for a pasture walk at Northwind Farm to learn about a low-input grazing-intensive organic dairy and hear from expert Sarah Flack

By Vermont Grass Farmers Association

Date and time

Location

497 Olney Hill

497 Olney Hill Hardwick, VT 05843

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours

Free to Attend, but Registration is Required

Join us for a pasture walk at Northwind Farm, a certified-organic dairy perched on 100 steep acres in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Farmers Silene DeCiucies and Geordie Lynd will share how they’ve shifted toward a more grazing-intensive system—tracking daily milk production and feed costs, replacing stored feed with in-season pasture amendments, and transitioning to fully spring-seasonal calving.

We’ll explore the farm’s compost-pack spreader, dirty water irrigation system, and approach to low-input milk production. They have focused on returning a defunct, depleted farm back to productivity. This is a great opportunity to see how grazing management and creative infrastructure can support both ecological and economic goals on challenging terrain.

Grazing consultant and author Sarah Flack will join us to share insights during the pasture walk.

Topics we’ll cover include:

  • Viewing and discussion of the farm’s manure handling and irrigation systems
  • Strategies for producing high-quality grass-fed milk on a low-input system
  • Pasture quality, cow performance, and nutrient flows

This is a farmer-to-farmer learning opportunity, open to all grazing systems and experience levels. Bring your questions and your curiosity—and dress for the weather!

Questions? Contact Meghan Sheradin at Meghan@vtgrassfarmers.org

Organized by

VGFA’s members are farmers, landowners and citizens who seek to:

  • Support farming that enhances soil health and water quality
  • Build farmer-to-farmers learning opportunities
  • Uphold the viability and resiliency of Vermont’s livestock farms
FreeAug 14 · 10:00 AM EDT