HODGDON, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in partnership with Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District’s Field Talks, will host the second event of the annual Pasture Walk Series from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at Duff Farm, 525 White Settlement Road.
This second stop shifts the series’ focus toward large-scale organic production and soil preservation in Aroostook County. As the region’s largest dairy operation, Duff Family Farm manages chemical-free, organic milk production from Holstein and Jersey-cross cattle, alongside small-scale beef and egg production.
A primary focus of this walk will be the intersection of livestock pastures and crop fields. Attendees will see how strategic tilling and crop rotations with corn and small grains impact overall soil health and pasture longevity. Extension Forage Educator Jaime Garzon and members of the Duff family will lead discussions on maintaining nutrient balance in organic soils and navigating mid-summer forage deficits. This session is geared for producers looking to scale up their grazing systems or integrate row crops with livestock.
The Maine Pasture Walk Series is free and open to all, including both beginner and experienced farmers. To register, visit the event webpage at https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/pasture-walk-series/. For additional event details, contact Angela Wotton at 207-254-4126. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Melissa Libby Babcock at 207-581-2788 or melissa.libby1@maine.edu. Additional stops in the Pasture Walk Series include Waldoboro on July 18, Bethel on July 22 and Leeds on Aug. 14. Full details are available on the series webpage at https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/pasture-walk-series/.
As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.
