animals, will take place on April 20th, 1997 at the Lake Morey Inn in =
Fairlee, Vermont. This conference is sponsored by The Northeast =
Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT).
About the Conference: =
In the past few years, there have been a growing number of dairy, =
beef and sheep farms making the transition to organic or more =
sustainable production practices. One of the limiting factors in =
making a successful transition is in developing alternatives to animal =
health problems. =
Farmers are seeking a new way to approach the management of their =
farms that focuses on maintaining both a soil and animal health, =
recognizing the connections between their soil management practices, =
the production of quality feed, and the health of their herd. In the =
case of illness, farmers are seeking alternative remedies for =
mastitis, dry cow treatment, and reproductive health, for example. =
The need for more information has been expressed not only by farmers, =
but by veterinarians and farm consultants who serve as resources for =
transitioning farmers.
This conference has been designed to combine the expertise of =
veterinarians and animal health experts with experienced farmers. We =
have tried to balance discussions on animal health prevention with =
information on remedies to restore animal health. We hope that this =
is the beginning of a dialogue that will continue to expand and =
develop the expertise of farmers, veterinarians and resource people in =
the Northeast.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Marta Engel: Dr. Engel is a 1980 graduate of the University of =
Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and operates a general =
practice in veterinary medicine from a clinic on her farm. She and =
her family operate an organic Jersey dairy farm in Southwestern =
Wisconsin. Dr. Engel began using homeopathic medicines with her own =
dairy herd in 1982. Since then, she has continued using and studying =
homeopathy with Dr. George MacLeod, Dr Christopher Day and Dr. Richard =
Pitcairn.
Gary Zimmer: Gary Zimmer is a leader and innovator in the field of =
biological and organic agriculture. Gary=B9s research emphasis has been =
on livestock nutrition =B3from the soil up=B2. Since 1984, Gary has been =
President of Midwestern BioAg Products and Services in Blue Mound, WI. =
Gary also manages Otter Creek Organic Farm, a family farm with 240 =
acres of crop and pasture which are used for production and =
demonstration of rotational grazing, composting, organic crop =
research and production with corn, soybeans, small grains and forages.
Dr. Richard Holliday: Dr. Holliday graduated from the University of =
Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1959, and started a mixed =
veterinary practice in Missouri where he practiced for 25 years. =
Throughout his work, Dr. Holliday has been actively involved in =
Ecological Agriculture and Holistic Veterinary Medicine, and is board =
certified in animal acupuncture. Since 1984, Dr. Holliday has been =
the Technical Services Veterinarian and Sales and Marketing Director =
for IMPRO Products, a company that produces holistic animal health =
products derived from colostrum milk.
Directions:
The Lake Morey Inn is located in Fairlee, Vermont, 1/4 mile off =
Interstate 91. Take Exit 15 off I-91, take a left off the exit ramp, =
the next right, and then the first left to reach the Lake Morey Inn.
(802) 333-4311.
Conference Schedule:
Saturday, April 19
8:30 AM - Registration and resource area opens
9:30 AM - Opening comments
9:45 - 11:45 AM - =B3Fixing Your System=B2, a panel session on prevention =
management with Dr. Marta Engel, Dr. Richard Holliday, and Gary Zimmer
11:45 - 12:45 - Lunch
12:45 - 2:00 PM - Principles in Homeopathy: Dr. Marta Engel will =
present information on the basic tenets of homeopathy and discuss =
animal management for udder health, dry cow treatment and reproductive =
health.
2:15 - 3:30 PM - The Role of Soil Management and Livestock Nutrition =
in Animal Health, Gary Zimmer
3:45 - 5:00 PM - Happy Cows Give More Milk, Dr. Holliday: A session on =
stress management as the basis for herd health and productivity.
5:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner Break
7:00 - -Participant networking sessions on specific topics (e.g. Fly =
control, vaccinations, milk quality); slide presentations of farms.
Sunday, April 20
8:00 - 9:00 AM - Registration and resource area opens
9:00 - 10:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions
1) Biodynamic Agriculture: A focus on whole farm health and the =
practices to maintain health
2) Acupuncture: A Tool for Animal Health: Dr. Richard Holliday. =
Acupuncture points will be identified as an aid to diagnose and treat =
various conditions in the dairy cow.
10:45 - 12:30 PM - A panel of Vermont farmers and veterinarians will =
lead a practical discussion of how they got started in alternative =
health management, what resources they use, the problems they have =
confronted and the lessons they have learned.
12:30 - 1:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 PM - Concurrent Sessions:
1) Advanced Homeopathy with Dr. Marta Engel: A presentation of how to =
prescribe, and what to watch for after giving medicine materia =
medica.
2) Advanced Soil and Animal Health, Gary Zimmer
3:45 - 4:30 PM - Closing comments from the conference speakers
REGISTRATION FORM: (Please return to NOFA-VT office: PO Box 697, =
Richmond, VT 05477 =
(802) 434-4122
Name(s):__________________________________________________________
Farm/Business/Organization ___________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________________________________________
CONFERENCE FEES:
Non-farmer Farmer # of people Total
Saturday & Sunday $75 $45 =
Saturday only $40 $25 =
Sunday only $40 $25
Farm Family Rate: Subtract $
(If 2 or more people register from the same farm, deduct $5 per =
registration
Conference fees include morning break, lunch and afternoon break
LODGING:
Lake Morey Inn Rate # of people Total
Friday night only (includes no meal) $65/room =
Saturday night $68/person dbl
includes Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast $88/person single
Note: You must pre-register by April 8 to be guaranteed a room in the =
Inn. Late registration rooms may be available. Please contact the =
NOFA Office at 434-4122 for other area lodging options
EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION
Tables will be available in our resource area for exhibitor displays. =
Exhibitors must sign up separately for the conference.
Rate #of tables Total
$25/table
Sub-total Exhibitor Reservation $
Conference Total Registration $
Child Care: There are child care facilities available on-site at the =
conference, and we will organize child care if there is an =
interest/need among participants. You must contact the NOFA Office at =
434 4122 by April 8th if you are interested in child care and we will =
make all of the arrangements
Scholarship Money: there is some scholarship money available to help =
individuals be able to participate in this conference. Please contact =
the office if you are interested.