A program for families who want to produce their own food and enjoy the homesteader lifestyle
Imagine that first taste of home-grown milk, cheese or ice cream! This five-part series discuss what resources are needed, the basics of animal care and sanitation, and the economics of owning a dairy cow, with our final session being hands-on cheese making.
If interested in hosting this program in your county or region, please contact Fred Hall, NW IA Dairy Field Specialist, fredhall@iastate.edu or 717.737.4230
Program Schedule can include topics such as:
Goals & Resources
· Determining the family’s goals and evaluating what resources are available.
· Discussing the lifestyle change that this endeavor will bring and understanding that the “homesteader” lifestyle is a progression that may include, gardening, chickens, turkeys, dairy, beef, hogs, etc. - and how all these can fit together and benefit from each other.
· Legal issues related to selling raw milk and raw milk products.
Asset Needs
· Land, housing facilities, milking equipment, and time and labor requirements.
· What animals will best meet a family’s needs (species and breeds).
Animal Husbandry
· Animal husbandry, nutrition and health.
Sanitation
· Sanitation and milking protocols.
Cheese Making
· Best management practices for cheese production with a demonstration.
Registration for available programs:
Call 712-276-2157.
This program is open to anyone interested in having their own dairy cow, goat or sheep.
Registration fee is $10 for one session or $20 for all the sessions.