Penn State Extension and NRCS Offer "Equine Grazing School Field Day"

Can You Answer These Questions?

• Are you a horse owner or barn manager that wants to do the best by your horses and your pastures?
  
• Can you manage your pastures to increase forage quality and reduce weeds and toxic plants?
  
• Are you interested in seeing rotational grazing practices, being able to identify weeds, and learning more about pasture evaluation, soil fertility and hay selection? 

Cost

• Cost for the day is $20 per person and includes lunch, all workshops, and printed materials.
  
• The event will be held rain or shine with sessions in the barn and walking through the pastures so dress accordingly. Registration starts at 8:30 AM.

Program

• Participants will learn about forage biology and management practices and will practice evaluating pastures and identifying grasses.
  
• Weed identification, basic biology, and management will also be covered.
•  Representatives from the NRCS will talk about construction, sizing and regulation of sacrifice areas, how to develop a stream crossing and possible cost-share opportunities for environmental practices.
  
• Following lunch, there will be a talk about the Ryerss program including farm history, operations, and their pasture programs. From 1:30-2:30 PM, participants will have a choice of one of two workshops on “Hay Selection” or “Soil Fertility and Health”.

Information about Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines

• Ryerss Farm is the oldest non-profit horse sanctuary in the United States and continues to provide a haven for horses of all breeds, sizes, and walks of life.
  
• The Farm is located at 1710 Ridge Road, Pottstown, PA 19465 (near Coventry, PA, on Route 23, approximately 2 1/2 miles west of Route 100).
  

• For more information about the farm visit: ryerssfarm.org on the web. 

Sponsorship

• The Pasture Field Day is being offered by NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) and the Penn State Extension Equine Program Team as one of many educational seminars being offered across the state to those in the equine industry.

For More Information

• For any of the course content information and registration materials, contact Donna Foulk (Extension Educator in Northampton County) at dlf5@psu.edu or at 610-746-1970. Deadline for registration is September 17th.