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'Alternatives in Animal Health' Conference
ALTERNATIVES IN ANIMAL HEALTH : A conference focusing on large
animals, will take place on April 20th, 1997 at the Lake Morey Inn in
Fairlee, Vermont. This conference is sponsored by The Northeast
Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT).
About the Conference:
In the past few years, there have been a growing number of dairy,
beef and sheep farms making the transition to organic or more
sustainable production practices. One of the limiting factors in
making a successful transition is in developing alternatives to animal
health problems.
Farmers are seeking a new way to approach the management of their
farms that focuses on maintaining both a soil and animal health,
recognizing the connections between their soil management practices,
the production of quality feed, and the health of their herd. In the
case of illness, farmers are seeking alternative remedies for
mastitis, dry cow treatment, and reproductive health, for example.
The need for more information has been expressed not only by farmers,
but by veterinarians and farm consultants who serve as resources for
transitioning farmers.
This conference has been designed to combine the expertise of
veterinarians and animal health experts with experienced farmers. We
have tried to balance discussions on animal health prevention with
information on remedies to restore animal health. We hope that this
is the beginning of a dialogue that will continue to expand and
develop the expertise of farmers, veterinarians and resource people in
the Northeast.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Marta Engel: Dr. Engel is a 1980 graduate of the University of
Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and operates a general
practice in veterinary medicine from a clinic on her farm. She and
her family operate an organic Jersey dairy farm in Southwestern
Wisconsin. Dr. Engel began using homeopathic medicines with her own
dairy herd in 1982. Since then, she has continued using and studying
homeopathy with Dr. George MacLeod, Dr Christopher Day and Dr. Richard
Pitcairn.
Gary Zimmer: Gary Zimmer is a leader and innovator in the field of
biological and organic agriculture. Gary¹s research emphasis has been
on livestock nutrition ³from the soil up². Since 1984, Gary has been
President of Midwestern BioAg Products and Services in Blue Mound, WI.
Gary also manages Otter Creek Organic Farm, a family farm with 240
acres of crop and pasture which are used for production and
demonstration of rotational grazing, composting, organic crop
research and production with corn, soybeans, small grains and forages.
Dr. Richard Holliday: Dr. Holliday graduated from the University of
Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1959, and started a mixed
veterinary practice in Missouri where he practiced for 25 years.
Throughout his work, Dr. Holliday has been actively involved in
Ecological Agriculture and Holistic Veterinary Medicine, and is board
certified in animal acupuncture. Since 1984, Dr. Holliday has been
the Technical Services Veterinarian and Sales and Marketing Director
for IMPRO Products, a company that produces holistic animal health
products derived from colostrum milk.
Directions:
The Lake Morey Inn is located in Fairlee, Vermont, 1/4 mile off
Interstate 91. Take Exit 15 off I-91, take a left off the exit ramp,
the next right, and then the first left to reach the Lake Morey Inn.
(802) 333-4311.
Conference Schedule:
Saturday, April 19
8:30 AM - Registration and resource area opens
9:30 AM - Opening comments
9:45 - 11:45 AM - ³Fixing Your System², a panel session on prevention
management with Dr. Marta Engel, Dr. Richard Holliday, and Gary Zimmer
11:45 - 12:45 - Lunch
12:45 - 2:00 PM - Principles in Homeopathy: Dr. Marta Engel will
present information on the basic tenets of homeopathy and discuss
animal management for udder health, dry cow treatment and reproductive
health.
2:15 - 3:30 PM - The Role of Soil Management and Livestock Nutrition
in Animal Health, Gary Zimmer
3:45 - 5:00 PM - Happy Cows Give More Milk, Dr. Holliday: A session on
stress management as the basis for herd health and productivity.
5:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner Break
7:00 - -Participant networking sessions on specific topics (e.g. Fly
control, vaccinations, milk quality); slide presentations of farms.
Sunday, April 20
8:00 - 9:00 AM - Registration and resource area opens
9:00 - 10:30 AM - Concurrent Sessions
1) Biodynamic Agriculture: A focus on whole farm health and the
practices to maintain health
2) Acupuncture: A Tool for Animal Health: Dr. Richard Holliday.
Acupuncture points will be identified as an aid to diagnose and treat
various conditions in the dairy cow.
10:45 - 12:30 PM - A panel of Vermont farmers and veterinarians will
lead a practical discussion of how they got started in alternative
health management, what resources they use, the problems they have
confronted and the lessons they have learned.
12:30 - 1:30 PM - Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 PM - Concurrent Sessions:
1) Advanced Homeopathy with Dr. Marta Engel: A presentation of how to
prescribe, and what to watch for after giving medicine materia
medica.
2) Advanced Soil and Animal Health, Gary Zimmer
3:45 - 4:30 PM - Closing comments from the conference speakers
REGISTRATION FORM: (Please return to NOFA-VT office: PO Box 697,
Richmond, VT 05477
(802) 434-4122
Name(s):__________________________________________________________
Farm/Business/Organization ___________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________________________________________
CONFERENCE FEES:
Non-farmer Farmer # of people Total
Saturday & Sunday $75 $45
Saturday only $40 $25
Sunday only $40 $25
Farm Family Rate: Subtract $
(If 2 or more people register from the same farm, deduct $5 per
registration
Conference fees include morning break, lunch and afternoon break
LODGING:
Lake Morey Inn Rate # of people Total
Friday night only (includes no meal) $65/room
Saturday night $68/person dbl
includes Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast $88/person single
Note: You must pre-register by April 8 to be guaranteed a room in the
Inn. Late registration rooms may be available. Please contact the
NOFA Office at 434-4122 for other area lodging options
EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION
Tables will be available in our resource area for exhibitor displays.
Exhibitors must sign up separately for the conference.
Rate #of tables Total
$25/table
Sub-total Exhibitor Reservation $
Conference Total Registration $
Child Care: There are child care facilities available on-site at the
conference, and we will organize child care if there is an
interest/need among participants. You must contact the NOFA Office at
434 4122 by April 8th if you are interested in child care and we will
make all of the arrangements
Scholarship Money: there is some scholarship money available to help
individuals be able to participate in this conference. Please contact
the office if you are interested.