January - July 2009 Project Successes

NNYFP has expanded this past semester with great training and workshops. We have sent six members of our group, to training and workshops that will help with improvement of their farms and the farms of members of our group. We have many great stories that members have brought back, I'm going to share a few of them.

First was Heather. She went to a 3 day Organic Valley vet training to learn about holistic practices that she could bring home to use on her certified organic dairy farm. Heather traveled by plane (1st time in her life and by herself) to Wisconsin. She learned how to work with dairy cows and the husbandry that is needed BEFORE they get sick. Heather not only brought back information on natural/holistic care, but she brought back an enthusiasm that was truly amazing. She put it best as she giving her "pass-on" of knowledge, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity of a life time, I would have never been able to do this on my own without the gift from NNYFP and Heifer, this training is going to make me a better farmer and a person that will always be available to teach what I have learned to other farmers."

Second was Brian. He attended project partnership in Massachusetts. Brian came home so enthusiastic that I think we'll be planning on holding the next partnership meeting in northern NY! Brian wanted to share how Heifer works and how we as a group could better ourselves. He realized that our group is doing so many incredible works that we need to share them with others. He also realized that our group was different because we encompass do many different farms with different ventures. But we all come together with one purpose. To make the best grass to feed our animals and to make our farms that best substantial Ag. That we can. Yes, we will be planning the next PPM here in Northern NY and Brian wants to head it up.

The last one I'm going to write about is Bill. He attended the organic vet training at the Heifer Training Center at the Ark. Ranch. I saw Bill a week after he returned and he was still flying high on the energy from the Heifer Ranch. He couldn't believe all the training and the teaching that he received in such a short period of time. The teaching methods and the way everyone interacted in the process of learning was incredible. He said that he learned more there that he has ever leaned at any other training. Bill said that usually people sit and listen and at the end get a chance to ask questions. But not at the ranch. You became part of the learning process and all the hands on allowed him to gather information that he would never have been able any place else. He wants to go again!

This is just a little touch of what our Heifer group has done this semester. We are truly ENTHUSIASTIC and we are spreading the word. In fact another one of our members named Dani who is on our Outreach Committee gave the idea to advertise our January meeting in six different newspapers. She sent it as a press release and one of the local newspaper sent a reporter and photographer. It was great. They took pictures and printed it in the next day, Sunday paper with all of our contact info. Two of our youth were in the picture drinking raw milk from one of our farms that is licensed to sell it. It was truly an amazing day for our group.

Our group is growing and having fun doing it.