On July 22 the Westmoreland Conservation District, Penn State Cooperative Extension Westmoreland County, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Lindwood Farm are joining together to present a “Pasture Walk,” in which speakers and a visit to a local horse farm will give attendees specific examples of how to create safe and healthy horse pastures.

The workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Westmoreland Conservation District headquarters on Donohoe Road in Hempfield Township.

Horse boarders, horse-barn owners, stable managers, and anyone who keeps horses on their property knows that keeping a healthy pasture area for their animals can be a real challenge. Over-grazing, mud, and manure not only turn pastures into eyesores, but also create chore-keeping challenges and potentially unhealthy conditions for the animals where insects can breed, digestive disorders can arise, and accidents can occur.

The first hour of the event will feature speakers on the topics of nutrient management, pasture quality, fencing, pond quality, and soil tests and soil amendments. Speakers include: Dan Griffith, nutrient management specialist/agricultural conservation technician with the Westmoreland Conservation District; Dana Rizzo, water quality educator with the District and Penn State Cooperative Extension; and Tom Sierzega, district conservationist with the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The second hour will involve a field trip to nearby Lindwood Farm, a member of the Standardbred Breeders Association of Pa., and a farm with a national reputation for producing champions. At Lindwood, participants will see best management practices that maintain pasture quality, control mud, and manage stormwater runoff.

Cost of the Pasture Walk is $5, and space is limited to 20 participants.

To register, send your check, payable to the Westmoreland Conservation District, to that organization at 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601, or contact Christie at the District, 724-837-5271 or send email to: christie@wcdpa.com .

Please note that participants will need to provide their own transportation from the Westmoreland Conservation District to Lindwood Farm, a distance of approximately 3-1/2 miles.

6/27/2008