Thanks to a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant,
NOFA/RI 10988557_10152720488056943_2213617722942244607_ois in its second year of partnership with Southside Community Land Trust to offer livestock trainings and technical assistance.

Since 2017 NOFA/RI has expand it’s advisor program to cover livestock- related technical assistance, with the addition of a NOFA/RI’s Organic Livestock Program Manager, Katie Steere of Deep Roots Farm in Chepachet, Rhode Island.

The NOFA/RI Organic Farm and Livestock Advisor program provides FREE technical guidance to commercial farmers wishing to implement organic methods on their farms and in their marketing efforts. Experienced organic farmers and ranchers are paired with aspiring, new or transitioning farmers and ranchers and provide assistance in many areas.

Anyone interested can find the Organic Livestock Assistance Application here.
Send the completed application or questions to NOFA/RI at nofari@live.com or mail to NOFA/RI 247 Evans Road, Chepachet, RI 02814.

Meet NOFA/RI Livestock Advisors

The NOFA/RI Livestock and Farm Advisor program pairs experienced ranchers and farmers with those seeking advice on a range of livestock or organic specialty crop topics.  The program is free for qualified ranchers and farmers meeting grant guidelines.  Our Livestock Advisors are pictured below.
Pat McNiffof Pat’s Pastured Farms.  Pat raises pork, beef, lamb and chicken.  Ben Coerper & Rachael Slattery, Wild Harmony Farm.  RI’s only USDA accredited organic livestock farm.
Heather and Don Minto, Watson Farms.  100% grass raised Cattle and sheep.

Look for our upcoming On Farm workshops for the 2018 Season.

  • Diversified Livestock Farming, Windmist Farm, Jamestown.  April 15
  • Pasture Management and Grazing, Watson Farm, Jamestown. June 10
  • Running a Profitable Poultry Operation, Pat’s Pastured. East Greenwich. June 21
  • Bovine Production, Stoney Hill Cattle Farm, Charlestown. July 15


Our Past 2017 Winter Conference featured two livestock workshops:

  • Regenerative farming: How a diverse group of livestock can improve your farm’s eco-system.
    Ben Coerper & Rachael Slattery, Owners, Wild Harmony Farm, Exeter, RI  We will take a look at the relationships between various livestock species, including poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep, & horse and the land they manage, and what farm work is accomplished by putting specific animals in specific places at specific times.
  • Pastured Poultry – How to improve your land while making a profit with laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys, and ducks.  Pat McNiff of Pat’s Pastured Farms, RI.
Pat McNiff, Pat's Pastured Farms, RI

Pat McNiff, Pat’s Pastured Farms, RI

 

Pat raises pork, beef, lamb and chicken, plus eggs on leased farmland scattered between North Kingstown and Jamestown. Patrick is still looking for additional land, something that has been a challenge for him and many other farmers in Rhode Island.  Pat was awarded the 2010 Farmer of the Year in Edible Rhody’s Local Heros.

 

 

 

  • What to look for when buying livestock
    Date/Time: Sunday April 9, 1–3PM
    Location: Wild Harmony Farm, 366 Victory Hwy, Exeter, RI
    Hosted by Ben Coerper & Rachael Slattery of Wild Harmony Farm, this workshop will cover important aspects of an animal’s physical characteristics, management practices, breed selections & relative value while purchasing poultry, sheep, pigs, & cattle.

Workshop is FREE.  Please register here to hold your spot.