Join Mesquite Field Farm for mobile chicken tractor building workshop
Participants will
- Learn the Suscovich design of mobile chicken tractors
- Learn how to build a mobile chicken tractor
- Construct 4 Suscovich style mobile chicken tractors
Lunch is provided by Pioneer BBQ
RSVP by October 18, 2018
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
In partnership with Growing on Faith Farm, we will demonstrating and discussing proper care and maintenance of your sheep including:
- Applying ID tags
- Medication/Vaccination
- Castration
- Record Keeping
- Handling/Moving
- Hoof care
- Nutrition
- Behavioral knowledge & selection
- Breed knowledge & selection
- Options for predator control
Whether you are just starting or have been in the game for a while, this class is open to everyone!
What to bring- Gloves, hat, sunscreen, water, boots.
Register here
Come out and learn the ins and outs of how to build a high tunnel and best practices to maximize your high tunnel outputs. Chat with an NRCS agent to learn how financial assistance payments, as part of a Farm Bill conservation contract in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a high tunnel can benefit you and your community.
Be sure to bring reusable water bottles, gloves, hat, closed toe shoes.
Snacks for breakfast with full lunch provided.
Register here
Come join us at ARTillery Avenue Farm as we help Farmer Rachel assemble her high tunnel. Not only will you get hands-on experience, you will learn about participating in the NRCS EQIP high tunnel program, selecting the site for your high tunnel, considerations in purchasing a high tunnel, and what grows well in the tunnel.
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
Register here
Join Grow North Texas at ARTillary Avenue Farm in Hillsboro, TX to learn about season extension techniques, hear from other farmers actively utilizing season extension methods, participate in farmer/provider discussions, and have the opportunity to assist with completion of a 30×96 Zimmerman Gothic Arched high tunnel. This workshop will also address creating a plan for sustainable on-farm enterprises through goal setting conversations and identifying resources that assist with whole farm planning and sustainability (financial and farmer).
Lunch is included, but feel free to bring any other snacks you might need. Please bring a water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the GROW North Texas Farm Allies program that provides technical assistance to farmers.
ARTillery Avenue Farm is owned and operated by Rachel Mims, a military veteran who understands the need for nature and art therapy for her fellow veterans. She has combined both of these in ARTillery Avenue Farm.
GROW North Texas is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that works to connect North Texans to food, farms, and community to create a sustainable, secure regional food system that enriches the land, encourages economic opportunity through food and agriculture, and provides equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents.
This workshop is made possible by funding from the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE).
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.