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Seven Stars Farm a 420-acre certified Organic and Biodynamic dairy in Phoenixville [Chester County], Pennsylvania to learn about a new pasture management technology and connect with other participants in Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and the Transition to Grazing Cohort.

Seven Stars Journey Worker and Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Educational Coordinator Jessica Matthews and apprentice Luke Cunningham will demonstrate the PaddockTrac app, a pasture management tool developed by University of Missouri Extension. There are currently 9 farms across the country that will be piloting PaddockTrac over the next two years to compile data that will help fine tune this tool and build an understanding of how it functions in different bio climates. We’ll learn how this tool measures dry matter availability and how graziers can use it to monitor their pastures and better manage forages.

We’ll take a break to enjoy a local lunch prepared by Vesta Kitchen, then split into breakout groups for facilitated discussions and feedback.

Transition to Grazing Cohort members will meet with Jessica Matthews to discuss their individual farm business plans, goals, and timelines; share experiences from the 2022 season; and provide feedback about what events and workshops would best support the next season.

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship mentor farmers will join in a roundtable discussion led by Pasa’s Dairy Grazing Project Manager Lucas Waybright, who will give an update on recent and upcoming changes to Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship coursework. Mentors will have a chance to provide feedback on Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship training materials and how the program can better support their needs. There will also be time for open conversation on all things grazing.