PASA Event - Learn to Decrease Fossil Fuel Usage, Improve Land Using Hens, Hogs & Oxen

[Future Harvest - CASA]

Learn to Decrease Fossil Fuel Usage, Improve Land
Using Hens, Hogs & Oxen to Manage Land


MILLHEIM, PA. October 3 - Join the Pennsylvania Association for
Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), on Thursday, October 11th at Spring
Meadows Farms in Millerton, Tioga County, for an informative farm tour
as part of PASA’s 2012 Farm-Based Education (FBE) schedule.

Andy Lyon, owner of Spring Meadows Farms, grew up in North Central
Pennsylvania where the farming traditions were passed on from Yankee
settlers and where oxen teams working in the fields were a typical
sight. Andy described how, when he was a boy, all the older neighbors
shared stories about farming with oxen.

Andy also grew up farming with modern equipment, but began looking
honestly at what having money tied up in a tractor was costing him. He
explained how, at the age of 31, he decided to “get back to the
tradition of my Yankee heritage and took to working two teams of oxen
on my pasture-based farm.”

Today – Andy, along with his apprentice, his oxen team, and other
livestock are working together to create a healthy ecosystem at Spring
Meadows Farm. In return, the farm business benefits from less
investment in heavy equipment, freedom from oil prices, enhanced
animal and plant health and increased profit…producing more quality
food to fuel a farmer and making farming full-time possible.

Spring Meadows Farm now markets grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, garlic,
vegetables and pork. Milk cows supply most of the protein for the hens
and hogs, and much of the grass-fed fat in the farmers’ diets.
Come see how Spring Meadows Farm orchestrates hens, hogs, and oxen –
participants will see hens controlling insects and vegetation, cattle
trampling to build soil as they graze tall pastures and hog-tilled
sod. Learn how cattle can prepare woods for desirable natural
regeneration. Discussion will focus on how the order and timing of
these events enhances the ecosystem in which gardens, pastures, woods,
livestock and humans all play a role. Participants will learn about
oxen care, economics, breeds, training and work. At the end of the
event, those who are interested can stay and drive the oxen.

This Farm-Based Education event is held in collaboration with
Northeast Organic Farming Association, New York (NOFA-NY). PASA
strives to ensure all those interested in becoming a member of the
organization or attending an event can do so at a reasonable rate.
PASA is offering a new member special combo deal. Membership in the
organization, combined with a Field Day registration -- an $80 value
-- is being offered for $45.
To access this special combination rate, and review this and other
remaining events planned for this year, visit pasafarming.org/
FarmBasedEducation or call 814-349-9856.