Welcome to our New EVENTS page. Check back often for updates on opportunities to learn and network through workshops and collaborative projects.
Spring Logging Bee
May 19th, Long View farm, Charlestown, NH
Join us as we help a neighbor. This social gathering will feature demonstrations working teams and singles skidding wood from forest to landing where is will be processed for firewood, using various techniques and implements. We hope to process enough wood to heat Ted and Nancy Walker's home next winter. Ted and Nancy are DAPNet members, and Jay Fisher's elderly neighbors. Jay will be heading up the operation. Rough camping is available. Meals will be potluck. For more information email Ed Thayer at ethayer@gsinet.net or call him at 603-495-3554. To print a flyer, click here.
Horse-powered Field Day
Northland Sheep Dairy, Cortland, NY, June 17th.
Sponsored by NOFA-NY and DANet, members of either group admitted free. All others 15.00.
Morning Session 9am to noon. "Working the loose horse - What to do when you bring home a new horse or a new teamster"
With horses loose in a corral, we will talk about; and try to demonstrate, how horses interact with each other. We will discuss their senses, communication, and natural responses. We will work on teaching new and old teamsters alike how to use this information when beginning a relationship with a horse or team. We will consider how experienced teamsters can use this information while helping a begining teamster.
Afternoon Session 1pm. to 4pm. "Making hay with horses - mowing, tedding, raking, and baling demonstrated."
Making hay with horses and mules is one of their primary tasks on our farm. We will hook up and demonstrate two horse drawn mowers, rakes, and tedders. We will pull a baler with a gas powered PTO forecart. We will answer questions about equipment, preparing animals for this work, and how much to expect to get done.
A potluck lunch will hopefully include plenty of time for folks to visit and talk to other horse farmers.
Some camping is available for anyone planning a longer drive.
The Northland Sheep Dairy is located in Central New York, and we milk about 40 ewes every summer while grazing summers bounty of grass. All our milk is turned into raw milk cheeses that sell at the Ithaca Farmers Market. We also sell the meat, wool and skins that come with sheep farming. Our farms primary source of power is three Percherons, one Suffolk, one Percheron mule, and one Mammoth Jack. They plow, disc, and cultivate; they mow, rake, and bale hay. They also skid fire wood and plow snow in the winter. Of course they spread a lot of manure and compost.
Directions can be found on the Northland Sheep Dairy website.
Save the Dates:
DAPNet Annual Gathering
September 14-16, 2012
Perry Farm, Brownington, VT
more details to come...
Driving Fundamentals
September 28-30, Ladd Farm, Bridgewater, NH
Back by popular demand....This clinic, in a new 3 day format will focus on prior and proper preparation of the driving horse and driver. Geared toward the beginner teamster and a single horse, particpants will look at some theory, simulations, ground work then work toward ground driving, driving in false shalves and finally, look at preparation for hooking to a cart. Participants will be limited to 8 new teamsters and their horses. Plenty of auditor space. For more information, to print a flyer or register, go to the Ladd Farm website.
2013 Northeast Animal-Power Field Days
Fall, 2013
More details to come...
