Upcoming Workshops - Register Now!

Pastured Pigs Basics

Wednesday, July 31, 5 - 8 PM. Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

An introduction to pig biology and behavior; opportunities and challenges for profitable pasture-based pig farming; basics of care, feeding, housing, health issues, processing and marketing. Instructor: Karma Glos.Cost: $45-$60 Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Organic Pastured Poultry Intensive

Monday, Aug 12, 10 AM - 4 PM. Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

An in-depth, full-day program for those already raising poultry or with a serious interest in small-scale commercial production of meat and/or eggs. Get your questions answered by one of the region's leading experts in organic poultry systems. Instructor: Karma Glos.Cost: $120-$150 Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Poultry Processing Practicum

Sessions run from 9am - 3pm by appointment. Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

Hands-on instruction and practice in on-farm slaughter, processing and packaging of broilers (chickens) and/or ducks. Limited to two trainees per session. Instructors:Michael and Karma Glos. Cost: $60-$80. Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register send email to info@groundswellcenter.org. We will notify you of slaughter dates as they are scheduled.

Organic Sheep Dairy Intensive

Sunday, Aug 18, 10 AM - 4 PM. Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY

An in-depth,full-day program for those with a serious interest in grazing, breeding and milking sheep, and producing farmstead cheese as a profitable small-scale business. Sheep producers, cheesemakers, and others interested in learning about certifiable organic systems are encouraged to attend. Understand market opportunities and production requirements. Get your questions answered by one of the top experts in the US on organic sheep dairying. Instructor: Maryrose Livingston 
Cost: $120-$150 Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Draft Horse Intensive

Part I: Saturday, Sept 14, 10 AM - 4PM. Part II: Sunday, Sept 15, 10 AM - 4PM. Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY

A hands-on practicum for the beginning teamster or serious wannabe. Learn to think like a horse. You may sign up for both days, or just for Part I. Prerequisites: Some experience with horses and permission of Instructor. Instructor: Donn Hewes. Cost: Part I only: $120-$150. Part I & Part II: $200-$250, Voluntary Sliding Scale. To apply for this course email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Hog Breeding & Farrowing Intensive

Monday Sep 16, 10 AM - 4 PM. Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

An in-depth, full-day program for those thinking about getting into breeding hogs and farrowing your own piglets in a pasture-based system. Economics, breeding stock, management, facilities, markets… Get all your questions answered by one of the region's leading experts in organic pasture-pig systems. Instructor: Karma Glos 
Cost: $120-$150 Voluntary Sliding Scale. To register email info@groundswellcenter.org.

Cheesemaking Practicum

Part I: Sunday, Oct 6, 9 AM - 3 PM Part II: Monday Oct 7, 2 PM - 4 PM Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY

Hands-on instruction and practice in making artisanal cheese on a commercial farmstead scale. Learn about the fermentation process, milk qualities, cultures, finding and using farmstead-scale equipment, regulations, economics and markets. Part II is optional for those who can attend and includes preparing the molded cheeses for aging in the Northland cheese cave. Instructor: Maryrose Livingston 

Register Now for Upcoming Groundswell Workshops

Organic Livestock Production Basics Series

July 3 - August 7, 2013

This workshop series is a required component of our Sustainable Farming Certificate Program but is also open to non-certificate trainees. The series consists of six 3-hour sessions, 5-8 PM on Wednesday evenings, except for the Sheep Basics class which meets on Sunday, July 7, 1-4 PM. 

You may also register for individual sessions:

July 3: Grazing Basics 
Instructors: Troy Bishopp, Grazing Specialist with Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Maryrose Livingston, Grass Farmer
Location: Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY 

July 7: Grass-Fed Sheep Basics (Sun 1-4 PM)
Instructor: Maryrose Livingston, Sheep Farmer
Location: Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY

July 17: Pastured Poultry Basics 
Instructor: Karma Glos, Poultry Farmer
Location: Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

July 24: Grass-Fed Beef Basics 
Instructor: Brett Chedzoy, Beef Farmer
Location: Angus Glen Farm, Watkins Glen, NY

July 31: Pastured Pigs Basics 
Instructor: Karma Glos, Pig Farmer
Location: Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY

Aug 7: TBA 

Cost: $250-$325 for entire series; $45-$60 for individual workshops. Voluntary sliding scale. Pay more if you can and help support our low-income trainees. Scholarships may be available depending on tuition received -- let us know if you need support.

Commercial Organic Vegetable Production Workshops

Instructors: Todd McLane and John Bokaer-Smith, West Haven Farm

June 26: Understanding and Managing Weeds 

July 10: Understanding and Managing Pests & Diseases

Aug 14: Sourcing, Conserving and Using Water

Aug 28: Making and Using Compost 5-8 PM

Sep 11, 4-7 PM: Improving Efficiency of Harvest and Labor

Oct 9, 4-7 PM: Record Keeping and Enterprise Analysis

TBA: Hoophouse Building Practicum 

Cost: $350-$425 for entire series; $45-$60 for individual classes.  Voluntary sliding scale. Pay more if you can and help support our low-income trainees. Scholarships may be available depending on tuition received -- let us know if you need support.

Advanced Intensives

Our advanced-level "Intensives" are specialized, full-day programs designed for those with previous agricultural production experience.  Conventional and low-input producers interested in learning about certifiable organic production systems are encouraged to attend. Class size is limited and priority will be given to farmers and farm employees with at least one full year of production experience, or who are simultaneously enrolled in the Sustainable Farming Certificate Program. (Certificate Program tuition does not include Intensives - you must register separately.) Others are welcome to apply for these programs and may be accepted if space is available. Once you are accepted into the program, your tuition must be paid in full to reserve your space. Tuition will be refunded only if we are able to fill your space.

Organic Pastured Poultry Intensive
Monday, Aug 12, 10 AM - 4 PM
Instructor: Karma Glos  Location: Kingbird Farm

Poultry Processing Practicum
Sundays, dates TBA, 9 AM - 3PM
Instructor: Karma Glos
Location: Kingbird Farm

Organic Sheep Dairy Intensive
Sunday, Aug 18, 10 AM - 4 PM
Instructor: Maryrose Livingston
Location: Northland Sheep Dairy 

Hog Breeding & Farrowing Intensive 
Monday Sep 16, 10 AM - 4 PM
Instructor: Karma Glos
Location: Kingbird Farm 

Draft Horse Intensive, Part I 
Saturday, Sept 14, 10 AM - 4PM
Instructors: Donn Hewes, Maryrose Livingston
Location: Northland Sheep Dairy
Prerquisite: Experience with horses and premission of Instructor. 

Draft Horse Intensive, Part IISunday, Sept 15, 10 AM - 4PMInstructors: Donn Hewes, Maryrose LivingstonLocation: Northland Sheep Dairy
Prerequisite: Completion of Part I

Cheesemaking Practicum 
Part I: Sunday, Oct 6, 9 AM - 3 PMPart II: Monday Oct 7, 2 PM - 4 PMInstructor: Maryrose Livingston Location: Northland Sheep Dairy

Cost: $120-$150 per class (the Poultry Processing Practicum is $60-$80). Voluntary sliding scale. Pay more if you can and help support our low-income trainees. Scholarships may be available depending on tuition received--let us know if you need support.