PETERSHAM — Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust in collaboration with UMass Extension invite the public to a two-part pasture management workshop series at Doe Valley Farm in Petersham with soil science expert Dr. Masoud Hashemi. The first session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, and the second session will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., at 5 Doe Valley Road.
As Dr. Hashemi explains: “Well-managed pastures contribute significantly to the sustainability of animal operations and the environment’s quality, however testing soil is crucial to greener pastures and is considered the first step in pasture management.” The first session will focus on assessing soil fertility. Participants will learn how to take soil samples for meaningful results, process the collected soil samples, read the soil test results provided by the testing lab, and interpret the results.
The second session will focus on grazing management — the manipulation of grazing animals and pasture plants to reach a desired result — and will cover key topics such as pasture resting period and frequency of animal rotation. Both sessions will include a 20-to-30-minute outdoor activity, so dress appropriately for the weather.
“As I’ve been working with Mount Grace to conserve my land, I wanted to host educational workshops so that fellow pasture and hayfield landowners have the best information that science can inform on how to sustainably manage these kinds of lands,” says host Don Flye. “We are very excited to coordinate this new workshop to promote sustainable farming practices that improve soil fertility,” adds Mount Grace Farm Conservation Program Manager Rocio Lalanda.
These events are open to the public, and free to all participants. Pasture and hayfield managers and landowners are encouraged to attend. Registration is required and can be done at mountgrace.org or by calling Rocio at 978-541-1772. Please register in advance as this workshop is limited to 25 attendees.