ALBC Heritage Breeds Workshop

From Service to Stewardship:
A Workshop for Veterans on Farming with Heritage Breeds of Livestock and Poultry

Join the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) May 4 – 5, 2012, for a two-day intensive workshop that will help transform today’s veterans into tomorrow’s farmers. This first-of-its-kind workshop will educate and train America’s service men and women on the skills necessary to steward some of America’s most historic and endangered farm animals.

Details: The workshop will be held Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th. The workshop will be located at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Friday’s program will include a full-day classroom session featuring many local farmers speaking about a variety of species. On Saturday, attendees will select a track and visit local, successful small farm operations where they will get an up-close look at the realities of heritage breed farming. Over the course of the two days, veterans will learn about hog production, poultry production, raising heritage cattle, raising equines, and small ruminant production. In addition, attendees will be introduced to the marketing aspects of raising heritage breeds.

The two-day workshop fee is $95, which must be paid in advance through cash, check, or credit card. The fee includes all workshop materials, lunch on Friday and Saturday, and farm tours on Saturday. Workshop reservations can be made by calling (919) 542-5704, or emailing jberanger@albc-usa.org.

Friday sessions include Intro to Heritage Poultry Production by Julie Gauthier of Chickcharney Farm:

The explosive popularity of heritage poultry has taken the country by storm as people rediscover the enjoyment of raising chickens and other species of poultry. Julie Gauthier will introduce the class to the wider varieties of species and breeds and discuss what to think about before getting started. Julie is a veterinarian who, in her off time, keeps and markets award-winning heritage chickens and ducks in the Triangle area near Raleigh, NC.

Her farm will be on Saturday's tour.

Later in the afternoon, Jennifer Kendall, ALBC's marketing director, will lead the session on Economics and Marketing Heritage Breeds:

Is choosing a heritage breed the right choice for your farm? What is the outlook for heritage breed products in today’s market. Jen Kendall will take a hard look at the potential for rare breed production on your farm and some of the avenues you can pursue for marketing success.

Priority will be given to veterans, but the general public is welcome. If you are raising heritage breed poultry or considering it, this workshop will help you succeed.