Participants will learn how to perform paddock design and usage of electric fencing to maintain daily rotation of grass fed beef cattle. Also the introduction of cover crops into their paddocks for supplemental grazing and nutrient restoration to the soil. With the end result of improved animal quality and soil nutrient supply due to these improved systems. Additionally our veterinarian will provide animal husbandry information for beef ranchers.
Skills Taught:
- Basic construction
- Basic fabrication
- Farm tool safety
- Build and install infrastructure
- Material supply calculations
- Infrastructure damage prevention
- Farm safety
- Farm infrastructure development planning
- Crop Planning
Instructors:
Doug Havemann, Army Veteran, Co – Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
Melissa Havemann, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm, NRCS
REGISTER HERE
In order to improve our pastures and the quality of our livestock we need to understand alternative technologies that may reduce our spending thereby improving our bottom line.
Rotational grazing of livestock and poultry improve our soil while fodder systems offer an additional methodology to supplemental feed our livestock and poultry during times of decreased native forage or weather extremes.
In this day and age one method of retaining profits on the farm is to reduce expenses or cost avoidance. One of the large expenses on a farm is the cost of supplemental feed. Additionally, supplemental feeds such as cubes do not provide all of the nutrition we are looking to provide our animals. One method of reducing our supplemental feed costs is to produce fodder. Fodder in this case is sprouted grains. These grains when sprouted for 7 to 10 days are actually a grass and no longer a seed. This fodder produces a well rounded feed full of nutrients, micro-nutrients, and energy for our animals. This class will provide instruction on types of seed that can be sprouted, a small scale fodder system example, and a medium scale fodder system example. If you are a “do it yourself-er” and wish to grow your own feed then this class is for you.
Instructors:
- Doug Havemann, Army Veteran, Co – Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
Skills Taught:
- Basic construction
- Basic fabrication
- Farm tool safety
- Build and install infrastructure
- Material supply calculations
- Infrastructure damage prevention
- Farm safety
- Farm infrastructure development planning
- Crop planning
- Supplemental Feed Nutrition
Click here to download the flyer – Regenerative Pasture Fodder HOL – MFF
REGISTER HERE
As we all move to improve our soil quality we have found that conventional no-till methods work however, we have the ability to improve this process by reducing chemical usage and introducing cover crops into our processes.
This class will provide a discussion of the benefits of cover crops, which crops to plant, when to plant them, and a planting demonstration.
Instructors:
- Doug Havemann, Army Veteran, Co – Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
- Melissa Havemann, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
Skills Taught:
- Farm tool safety
- Crop planning
- Seed Supply calculations
- Material supply calculations
- Farm Tractor Usage
- Farm implement usage (no-till drill)
- Seed Characteristics
- USDA planting zones and cover crop recommendations
- Seed suppliers and recommendations
- Crop Planting techniques
Cover Crop Planning and Planting Flyer
REGISTER HERE
As we move toward the development of our market gardens to meet our customer needs it is important that we prepare our soil, prepare our planting spaces, plant the appropriate crops, plant companion crops to reduce insect stress and maximize our garden space for successive plantings and profit.
This class will provide a discussion of the benefits of cover crops, which crops to plant, when to plant them, and a planting demonstration.
Instructors:
- Koen Stokes – Horticulturist, Veg’d Out Urban Farms
- Doug Havemann, Army Veteran, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
- Melissa Havemann, Co-Owner, Mesquite Field Farm
Skills Taught:
- Farm tool safety
- Crop planning
- Seed supply calculations
- Compost development
- Soil amendment requirements
- Farm implement usage (small scale planters)
- Soil preparation
- Planting bed preparation
- Watering methods
REGISTER HERE
Join Mesquite Field Farm’s Doug and Melissa Havemann for a farm and ranch Marketing 101 workshop. With backgrounds in marketing and advertisement, Doug and Melissa have developed successful marketing plans for farm events, farm product sales, and for telling their farm story.
Topics covered will include
- Product
- Pricing
- Place
- Promotion
- Web for business
- E-Commerce
- Social Media
- Digital Marketing
Web Design 1-on-1
There will be a Web Design 1-on-1 workshop on June 23, 2019 that focuses on building a website for your farm. This web design 1-on-1 workshop is only available to Military Veterans enrolled in the Battleground to Breaking Ground Program. There are only 5 spaces open for this workshop. If you meet the criteria for the second day and you would like to purchase a ticket, please send an email to doug@mesquitefieldfarm.com requesting one of the 5 tickets available for the 23rd. After your status in the Battleground to Breaking Ground program is validated, you will be sent a second link to register and pay for the Web Design 101 time-slot.
Join us for a FREE sheep production workshop and demonstration.
Members of the BattleGround to Breaking Ground program will be presenting on basics of sheep production along with a live demonstration.
Topics included:
- Breed Knowledge
- Predator & Predation
- Pasture Management
- Nutrition
- Shearing & Wool Marketing
Our demonstration portion will include basic handling, drenching, ear tagging, vaccinating, hoof trimming.
REGISTRATION WILL BE CAPPED AT 30 PARTICIPANTS.
Cost: FREE which includes food and drinks. Register before 21 June 2019 to lock in your meals. Late registration accepted omitting meals.
All registered participants in attendance will be entered for a drawing for a sheep/goat milking stanchion/working stand to be given away at the end of the event.
Come out and support the Battle Ground to Breaking Ground program, an amazing program helping Veterans become Farmers and enlarge your network of fellow producers.
Please wear appropriate clothing including sturdy closed toe shoes and come prepared to get dirty, learn, and have fun!
Sheep 101 Workshop Flyer 6.28.19
Register HERE
Join us for a FREE agriculture business workshop in Seguin, Texas. This workshop is a one-day workshop designed for military veterans, beginning farmers and ranchers, individuals with disabilities, and anyone interested in starting an agriculture business.
Workshop sessions will include:
- Rural Business Ideas
- Intro to Business Planning
- Possibilities for farming/ranching with a disability
- Financial funding sources for farming/ranching
- Marketing Resources
- Resources to support agriculture business operations
This workshop is made possible by a sponsorship from Farm Credit Bank of Texas
Register HERE
When all of your perfect produce has been sold, what do you do with the rest? Or do you just have an abundance of produce from your garden this year?
How about creating Value Added Products and generate more revenue!!
In Texas, the Cottage Food Bill allows individuals to create canned goods for sale up to a certain amount without the use of a commercial kitchen. This could be a new revenue stream for you!!
Topics Covered:
- Cottage Food Law Requirements
- Food Safety
- Canning Safety
- Strawberry Jam Making
- Pickling Making
Cost is $30: this includes a handy reference handout, lunch AND students will get to take home jars of jam and pickles they create during the class!!
Register HERE by July 25th
Starting a farm isn’t a decision to take lightly. Join Texas AgrAbility & BattleGround to Breaking Ground to discuss some points to consider when starting a farm. We also invite you to join the conversation with owners of Mesquite Field Farm, Doug and Melissa Havemann to discuss what factors helped them to make the decision to start their farm.
When: Dec 19, 2019 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://agrilifeextension.zoom.us/meeting/register/ab2aa1919d7506037510d14dfea9e911
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About this event
Please wear appropriate attire for the weather predicted for that weekend. It is required that you wear close toed canvas or leather footwear (boots preferred). No shorts will be allowed. Your clothing should be made from durable materials, like wool, leather, or heavy tightly woven cotton. A fabric baseball cap should also be worn to protect the top of your head from sparks. We will provide welding hoods, welding gloves, welding blanket, and welding sleeves for your use while actively welding. If you have your own welding helmet, gloves, and /or jacket you may bring it with you.