Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District

LXCL:There is no cost for this event

Everyone is welcome!

Join us at Kinne Brook Farm for an in-depth workshop exploring practical strategies to improve pasture and hay field productivity while supporting long-term soil health, animal well-being, and farm sustainability. Participants will learn how to evaluate the health and productivity of pasture and hay fields and address common challenges such as soil pH imbalances, soil biology limitations, compaction, and undesirable plant species. The workshop will cover approaches to reseeding and overseeding pastures, planning rotational grazing systems, managing rest periods, and using soil and forage testing to make informed management decisions. We will also discuss the USDA NRCS Pasture Condition Score (PCS) system&mdash;an assessment tool used to evaluate pasture health, identify limiting factors, and prioritize improvements that enhance forage production, livestock performance, and natural resource protection. Kinne Brook Farm is a diversified family farm in Worthington, Massachusetts. Since 2010, Eliza Lake and Bart Niswonger have managed the farm with a focus on regenerative land stewardship, raising Highland cattle for beef, producing hay, and implementing management-intensive rotational grazing and silvopasture practices.&nbsp; workshop will be led by Caleb Smith, VT grass-based former dairy and current sheep farmer, and Agronomy and Livestock Specialist with American Farmland Trust, and Max Breiteneicher, former grass-based MA dairy farmer and Livestock and Grazing Specialist with American Farmland Trust. Bart Niswonger will provide a tour of the farm and discuss the practices they have been experimenting with, and Matthew Karas (HHCD) will provide an overview of the NRCS Pasture Condition Score process. Food and beverages will be provided. Please register so that we know how many people to expect. We look forward to seeing you there!&nbsp;

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our event at Kinne Brook farm!&nbsp; We look forward to spending the afternoon together to learn about assessing and improving the health and productivity of pasture and hay fields.&nbsp; Please let me know if you have any questions leading up to the event. Thank you!&nbsp; Matthew Karasmatthewhhcd@gmail.com

Join us at Kinne Brook Farm for an in-depth workshop exploring practical strategies to improve pasture and hay field productivity while supporting long-term soil health, animal well-being, and farm sustainability. Participants will learn how to evaluate the health and productivity of pasture and hay fields and address common challenges such as soil pH imbalances, soil biology limitations, compaction, and undesirable plant species. The workshop will cover approaches to reseeding and overseeding pastures, planning rotational grazing systems, managing rest periods, and using soil and forage testing to make informed management decisions. We will also discuss the USDA NRCS Pasture Condition Score (PCS) system—an assessment tool used to evaluate pasture health, identify limiting factors, and prioritize improvements that enhance forage production, livestock performance, and natural resource protection. Kinne Brook Farm is a diversified family farm in Worthington, Massachusetts. Since 2010, Eliza Lake and Bart Niswonger have managed the farm with a focus on regenerative land stewardship, raising Highland cattle for beef, producing hay, and implementing management-intensive rotational grazing and silvopasture practices.  workshop will be led by Caleb Smith, VT grass-based former dairy and current sheep farmer, and Agronomy and Livestock Specialist with American Farmland Trust, and Max Breiteneicher, former grass-based MA dairy farmer and Livestock and Grazing Specialist with American Farmland Trust. Bart Niswonger will provide a tour of the farm and discuss the practices they have been experimenting with, and Matthew Karas (HHCD) will provide an overview of the NRCS Pasture Condition Score process. Food and beverages will be provided. Please register so that we know how many people to expect. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District

Building Better Pastures and Hay Fields: Soil Health, Grazing, and Forage Improvement

481 Kinnebrook Rd

Everyone is welcome!

Free

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