FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 8, 2019
Contact: Rosalyn Lehman, executive director: [email protected] | 515-608-8622
Prairie Star Organic Dairy Farm Field Day in Waukon, Iowa
On August 14, 2019
Waukon, Iowa -- The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) is delivering a free field day for farmers and others interested in learning from organic experts about organic dairy production. John and Meghan Palmer will host the Field Day at Prairie Star Farms, 835 McCabe Drive in Waukon, Iowa on Wednesday, August 14, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
John and Meghan started their farm in 2004 after the birth of their first child and the desire to raise cows and produce milk without the use of chemicals. John grew up on a conventional dairy farm but was introduced to organic production when he met Meghan, whose family was already producing organic milk. “It was then then I realized organic could be a viable option for dairy farming.”
Today, the Palmer’s milk 120 cattle, have 400 acres of crops for organic livestock feed, and manage 200 acres of pasture. They sell their milk to Organic Valley.
Field day attendees will be able tour the farm and see the investment the Palmer’s have made in facilities “I’ve seen a number of organic dairy farms that have made minimal investment in infrastructure,” said John. “We decided that, given the extreme weather in Iowa, investment in not only livestock facilities, but also grazing facilities, was important.
A representative from the Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District will discuss soil health and water quality on Prairie Star Farms. Cover crops, pasture management and vaccination protocols will also be included during this information-packed field day.
Please RSVP to Kelli Hanson at [email protected]
DIRECTIONS: From Waukon: Head south on Rossville Rd/IA-76 S/IA-9 W for 1.9 miles, turn right onto IA-9 W and head west for .8 miles. Turn left onto 9th St. SW/N Fork Hollow Rd and drive 1.5 miles, then turn left onto McCabe Drive. The farm is on the right.
View the full schedule for IOA’s Summer Field Day series at www.iowaorganic.org. For more information about the program or the Summer Field Day series, contact Roz Lehman at [email protected] or 515-608-8622.
IOA’s 2019 Summer Field Day series is made possible with support from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency.
The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) is a statewide, 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to organic education, advocacy and cooperation. Our membership is a diverse community of Iowa’s organic farmers, gardeners, food and farm businesses, advocates and consumers who are devoted to building a more sustainable Iowa. More information at IowaOrganic.org.
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