Workshops
Workshops
Connecticut’s Own The Farmer’s Cow: The price paid to Connecticut dairy farmers for raw milk has been so low that farmers are struggling to make ends meet. In a courageous move, a group of six Connecticut family-owned dairy farms formed The Farmer's Cow, a business venture to bottle and market their milk to consumers who choose to buy locally produced products. Dairy farmer and leader of the partnership Robin Chesmer will talk about the extraordinary effort being put forth to keep an agricultural business viable.
Insight, Ideology, and Policy: There is a need to improve the integration of land use decision making across federal, state, and local governments. A better understanding of the complexity of the interaction between human and natural environment, and the limitations of science and environmental policy at the community level will hopefully lead to solutions to close the gaps between governments. Walter Smith, of NRCS, will lead the discussion on this cutting edge thought process.
Guiding Your District to Success: These plans play a necessary role in District operations – knowing their role and the importance for District interaction with, and responsibility to, other entities and partners are essential. Strengthening networking channels and sharing information, materials, and resources are also essential to consider in an annual plan and reflect the District’s overall success.
Geese and Water Quality: An over-abundance of geese is a problem in several northeastern states. In many water bodies, geese waste is a significant source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and e. coli bacteria. This session will discuss egg oiling and other methods used to control geese populations.
GIS Applications - Green Valley Institute: GIS has become an essential tool for conservation work. This presentation will describe a co-occurring resource analysis GIS-based model that can be applied to a range of conservation mapping activities. The process has been adapted for conservation planning projects in municipalities throughout the Last Green Valley.
June Nitrate Testing: As farmers feel the impact of rising fertilizer costs and the pressure to reduce nutrient runoff, Conservation Districts have become more involved in promoting June Nitrate Testing of soils prior to side dress fertilizer applications. This program results in less nitrogen being applied, and it can also be a source of income for Conservation Districts.
Biodeisel: A percentage of the U.S. demand for diesel fuel is shifting to biodiesel (produced primarily from vegetable oils). If you are interested in starting a biodiesel project or advising farmers and others interested in producing this fuel, this presentation is for you. The session will help get you up-to-speed or increase your understanding of this fast growing business and agricultural sector.