Upper Northeast Pasture Center Teleconference
May 2, 2006
Teleconference participants included: Sue Ellen Johnson, Rebecca Elwood, Kenneth Miller, Stephen Herbert, Ed Bourgeois, Jerry Grabarek, Chuck Krueger, Carrie Chickering-Sears, and Barbara Miller.
Call Start time: 12:30 PM
Dr. Stephen Herbert from UMass opened the meeting by stating that the purpose of the current conference was to collect names of farmers who may be interested in becoming involved with the Pasture Research Center. He welcomed Jerry Grabarek as a new voice in the conversation. Stephen has not received many names to date.
Stephen reported that at the UMass Crops, Dairy & Livestock Advisory Committee meeting he reviewed the Northeast Pasture Research project. He also reported that the Mass Aggie series just held a seminar on pasture, hay management, nutrient management and heritage breeds for an audience of about 45.
Barbara Miller reported on the upcoming organizational meeting to be held on May 10 to develop a steering committee for grazing activities in the region. Foremost on the agenda will be a discussion of the Pasture Research Center.
There was some discussion that farmers may be confused by so many approaches; being asked for input from several different angles. It was discussed that the Steering committee, if developed, could act as a clearing house for the different interests.
Sue Ellen Johnson reported on the Chicopee project, a Conservation Partnership Initiative grant received through NRCS. The grant enabled her to meet with stakeholders and community leaders in the Chicopee River basin to educate them and learn from them about grazing opportunities and concerns. She has held 2 teleconferences to help finalize the products to be delivered, though the funding is coming to an end. She is looking for ways to continue what has been started.
Ed Bourgeois brought the conversation back around to involvement by farmers in the process of developing the Pasture Research Center. He would like to see some written information to be made available through a website or printed so farmers can see specifically how they can be involved in the process.
Sue Ellen reviewed the 3 areas of involvement as they had been presented to the attendees of the Consortium meeting and the meeting held at the South Deerfield farm last August:
o Technical – what specific research should be done at the center, most were interested in this aspect.
o Partnership support – those who can connect with the funders and policy makers to make this happen.
o Governance – how the center will be managed into the future to ensure continued regional and producer input.
Ed noted that a descriptive fact sheet should also target the non-farming public – a faction that could supply support from a consumer angle.
There was discussion about how to get the support of farmers. Stephen said he had the names of about 12 Massachusetts farmers and would like more from the other states. Sue Ellen asked what was going to be done with the names, as support is one thing, but active participation needs specifics so the producers know what they are supporting. Stephen replied that he intended to have a conference call or meeting with the producers to discuss how they would be involved.
Chuck Krueger added that if the people we ask are involved in developing whatever projects evolve at the center, the support will follow naturally. Once the producers have ownership, the support will grow.
Stephen agreed saying there is no preconceived notion of what will occur at the center. He asked how Jerry found out about the teleconference and Rebecca replied that she inquired at a field office as to who might be a good spokesperson for grazing in CT and was given Jerry’s name. She also spoke with Angus Johnson about the whole project.
Sue Ellen brought up the fact that we have not made any movement on procuring any immediate funding and noted that the pre-proposal date for the SARE research and education grants is the end of the month. She asked if there was any move to submit something.
Barbara mentioned that she had spoken with Kate Rossiter of NOFA-MA, who is putting in a pre-proposal for an organic dairy grant. Not sure if it would be anything that could be done at the center, but we should look to getting something started and not worry about it dictating the future direction of activities.
Ed asked how we should start the process and there were comments regarding multi-species grazing, the work Michael Katz is doing there already. Ed asked about fences and laneways or other infrastructure and Sue Ellen noted those items could be included in the design of the grant.
Stephen said that the livestock are in the process of being moved out to that facility and that a building for hay storage, workshops and vehicles is going to be constructed.
Sue Ellen asked how we could proceed – can we count on having access to the livestock that is going to be housed out there, or will there be conflicts. Should we focus on an agronomic approach at the beginning? Stephen noted that if a grant is submitted, the University has to sign off on it and if the grant is awarded, they have to honor it.
Chuck thought that we should get something going, using the upcoming SARE deadline as a good place to start, and maybe keep it agronomic to start with. There was discussion that someone has to write it, should Mike Katz’ research be included with a proposal and the need to get UMass personnel buy-in for any proposal. It was asked if we can go across state lines for input and still have the university agree with a proposal. Stephen indicated this was not problematic.
There was a discussion about short and long term objectives of the center and involvement of those interested. Chuck felt that in the short run the first priority should be to get something going to show some activity rather than just discussion. If this first step is successful, the center will get going. It gives the opportunity for the different factions to work together and see how that goes. He noted that SARE likes to see research that has wider application than a single state.
Sue Ellen asked who, what and how we are going to go about getting this first step accomplished. She noted that we have lists of ideas that have been suggested since the inception of the Pasture Research center development.
It was proposed that a group meet on Thursday, May 4 at 8:30 AM at Carrie’s office to develop a pre-proposal for submission to SARE by the end of the month. Stephen, Carrie, Sue Ellen, Ed, Ken and Barbara will be present. Mike K. will be invited as well.
Stephen asked what the Connecticut folks on the line were thinking about the whole issue. Rebecca, who indicated she would be at the meeting on May 10, thought that farmers should be engaged and lead workshops.
Jerry asked if there was an agenda for next week’s meeting – Barbara will make available.
Sue Ellen asked Jerry what his main constraints were and where he thought pasture research should go. He asked what was meant by multi-species grazing – multi species of forages or animals? Sue Ellen noted that it usually referred to animals and Jerry responded that he was interested in understanding the best forage mixes for New England. He noted that there are lots of mixes available from seed companies and all the research is done somewhere else. What works the best here?
His main constraint was water. He has experimented a little with irrigation but is not sure that will be feasible with high energy costs. Plants need an inch of rain a week and he doesn’t get that during the growing season. Looking at grass species and drought tolerance would be helpful. (He has a fall-seasonal herd)
Stephen summarized with the following action items:
o Draft promotional information for the Pasture Research Center for distribution
o Develop a pre-proposal for the upcoming SARE grant (meeting Thursday, May 4)
o Solicit producer names from the surrounding states
Next meetings – there will not be a teleconference the first Tuesday in June, as Stephen will be away. He will schedule one for later in the month. July’s meeting will be to arrange an event at the Center in August.
Angus Johnson joined in at the very end of the teleconference.
Meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Barbara Miller