July 25-27, 2012 Chestertown, MD

Dairy graziers and dairy grazing enthusiasts from several states will be gathering in late July to share and increase their knowledge about pasture-based and organic dairy production systems. The 2012 Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference is based in Chestertown in Kent County on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore. The event begins with Registration at Washington College in Chestertown on Wednesday, July 25 at 3:00 p.m. and concludes on Friday, July 27 at 2:15 p.m. The program will feature a combination of on-farm and classroom topics of interest to both experienced and beginning graziers. Fair Hill Farm and St. Brigid's Farm in Kent County have agreed to host the on-farm portions of the conference on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Speakers and panelists will include successful dairy graziers and others with practical expertise in relevant pasture-based dairy topics including forages, nutrition, grazing management, reproduction, genetics, and economics. Most topics will be applicable to both organic and conventional pasture-based systems. The program will include invited presentations on farm and at Washington College for some subject areas while other topics will be covered by panel discussions of dairy graziers and other speakers. Program information: Dr. Steve Washburn North Carolina State University Steve_Washburn@ncsu.edu – (919) 515-7726, FAX: (919)-515-6884 Local arrangements and registration: Jay Douthit Maryland Cooperative Extension jdouthit@umd.edu – (410) -778-1661 FAX: (410) – 778- 9075 Sponsorships: John Welsh Virginia Cooperative Extension jlwelsh@vt.edu – (540) 564-3080 Sponsorships:Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), or Silver($250) levels 5.07.2012