Organic Farm & Goat Dairy in Cross Plains to Host July 17 Field Day

Dreamfarm, a certified organic farm and goat dairy near Cross Plains, will partner with the Dairy Business Innovation Center to host an educational field day for current and aspiring farmers on July 17.

Hosted by Jim and Diana Murphy at their farm, 8877 Table Bluff Road, Cross Plains, Wis., the field day will feature topics centering around farmstead cheesemaking, managing  a small goat herd, pastured poultry and eggs, and doing your own marketing.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch will be available for purchase at the farm, and is a fundraiser to support cheesemaker training for two Ecuadorians to come to Wisconsin in August. The field day itself is free, but attendees are asked to register in advance for planning purposes. To register, contact Jeanne Meier, 608-219-4081, jeannemariemeier@gmail.com.

Additional DBIC dairy goat field day dates and locations include:

•    Sept. 18: Mark and Colleen Hansen Farm, Cleveland, Wis. This field day is sponsored by Glacierland RC&D and the DBIC.  The Hansens were early adapters of intensified rotational grazing with dairy cows, and have now transitioned to dairy goats.  The day will include a pasture walk and tour of a new milking parlor with "window view" for visitors.

•    Oct.  9: Randy and Mary Adamson Farm, Milton, Wis. The Adamsons have raised purebred breeding stock for sale and show for many years.  As former dairy cow producers, a recent opportunity allowed them to return into the dairy business full time with dairy goats.

For more information about the DBIC Dairy Goat Initiative and educational events, contact Jeanne Meier at 608-219-4081, jeannmariemeier@gmail.com.