Building healthy soil on a fourth-generation family farm

Join us to learn how the Choiniere family’s cows help build soil health and sustainably manage nutrients on their grass-fed organic dairy. Guy and Matt Choiniere will walk us through a day on farm, starting at the barnyard and moving out into the pasture. Along the way, they will speak to their bedded pack system, barnyard and pasture infrastructure, key elements of their rotational grazing system, and pasture management practices that help them get the most out of their pasture in the summer.

The Choiniere Family Farm participates in a statewide research project looking at the ecological, social, and financial impacts of certain rotational grazing practices. We’ll learn more about this project and how others like it are attempting to support farm viability and sustainable land management.

Looking to the future, Matt and Guy will also share their approach to diversifying enterprises on the farm. With wholesale dairy markets less stable than in the past, many farms are looking to other markets, and to their local communities, to build resiliency for the next generation.

This event is perfect for anyone interested in how farms and local communities support each other. There will also be a technical emphasis for farmers and service providers interested in grass-fed systems, optimizing pasture management, and diversifying farm enterprises. After the tour ends at noon, we invite you to stay for lunch and conversation with Guy, Matt, and VLT staff. Please pre-register today!

The Vermont Land Trust welcomes and affirms all regardless of their age, culture, abilities, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.