LA CRESCENT, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Extension, University of Wisconsin Extension and the Savanna Institute will jointly host a Silvopasture workshop near La Crescent, Minnesota, about 7 miles west of La Crosse, Wisconsin and 140 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, MN.
The workshop will begin with an optional tour on Friday afternoon, August 4th. The tour is of a silvopasture trial near Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, followed by dinner and a networking session at Hoch Orchard in La Crescent, Minnesota.
The workshop will continue on Saturday morning, August 5th, with presentations on silvopasture establishment and management and a tour of Hoch Orchard, a hog silvopasture. Saturday afternoon we will visit a farm practicing silvopasture in Canton, MN. Participants can sign up for both days or just come for the Saturday portion of the workshop.
Silvopasture is a sustainable agroforestry practice where trees and forage crops are grown together on the same piece of land, and grazing animals eat the forages. The livestock provide annual income, and the trees may provide income after a while in the form of wood, nuts or other products. Silvopasture can provide economic and environmental benefits that complement regular forestry and open pasture production, such as shade for livestock and pasture, and habitat for birds and beneficial insects.
This workshop offers 8 Continuing Education Units for Foresters and Forest Stewardship Plan Planners!
Participants can reserve rooms at a local hotel or nearby camp ground. Participants are also welcome to just come for the Saturday portion of the workshop.
Registration is $45 for Friday and Saturday, or $30 for just the Saturday program or $20 for the Friday program; Register online at https://www.regonline.com/SilvopastureWS. Registration will cover one dinner (Friday, August 4), and snacks and lunch (August 5). For more information: http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/agroforestry-education/silvopastureworkshop/
Questions? Contact: Diomy Zamora (612-626-9272 or zamor015@umn.edu) or Diane Mayerfel (608-262-8188 or dbmayerfeld@wisc.edu)
— Gary Wyatt, UM Extension, Extension Regional Office, Mankato
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