An introduction to organic dairy for veterinary students at The Ohio State University.
An in-person workshop by OATS
When dairy farmers transition to organic both they and the veterinarians that support them often find challenges in animal care. This workshop will bring veterinary students together to learn basic organic animal health regulations, tour two organic dairies, and meet with a panel of farmers and organic veterinary experts. This workshop will help veterinary students understand the challenges facing organic dairy farmers so that they can better support them as practicing vets.
When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM ET
Where: OSU Columbus Campus
Who: Vet students at The Ohio State University
This event is closed to the public, and open to OSU veterinary students and associated dairy professionals.
How Much: Free for students
Registration Deadline: September 20th, 2024
Local Host Organizations: Agroecosystem Management Program (AMP) and Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association, OSU Vet School, OSU Vet School Food Animal Club, Organic Valley
AGENDA
7:30 Meet at Columbus campus
8:00 Leave Columbus campus
9:30 Arrive at Wooster campus - orientation, nature of the organic industry, with John Stock
10:30 Leave Wooster campus
11:00 Arrive at Stoller’s Dairy
11:00-12:00 Tour milking parlor and speak with farmer
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Leave Stoller’s Dairy
1:30 Arrive at Tim Kline Dairy
1:30-2:15 Tour milking parlor
2:15-3:00 Speak with dairy farmer panel
3:00 Leave Kline’s Dairy
4:45 Arrive at Columbus campus
5:00 Adjourn
“We are thrilled to educate the next generation of vets about organic dairy practices with this event.”
SPEAKERS
Dr. Luciana da Costa
Dr. Luciana da Costa is a veterinarian with over 25 years of experience in the dairy sector and a faculty member at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. She holds a teaching, research, and Extension appointment and works closely with federal and state-wide leadership such as the USDA, State Department of Agriculture, Association of Dairy Producers, milk processors, producers, and veterinarians.
Her responsibilities include providing unbiased information and applied research on all aspects of livestock health, best management practices, animal welfare and well-being, animal-environmental interactions, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith
Dr. Jackson-Smith is a professor of Agroecosystem Management at OSU. He has done extensive research into the perceptions of organic dairy and farmer experiences. His work compares the social, economic and environmental tradeoffs associated with different approaches to integrating crop and livestock systems. And works to understand the complex structural and behavioral drivers of farmer conservation behaviors across farm scales, types, and farmer backgrounds/identities.
John Stock
John has been educating and providing technical support in conservation and sustainable agriculture for more than 25 years. His previous work with Watershed Organic, Snowville Creamery, and United Plant Savers has given him deep hands-on experience in building relationships with farmers and consumers, program development and event planning, providing technical support, and advocating for sustainable practices.
The Stoller Family
Stollers Organic Dairy
Stollers Organic Dairy is a century farm located in Sterling, Ohio. They have been certified organic since 2001. The farm is a fifth (going on sixth!) -generation dairy LLC that is still very much a family business. They currently milk around 330 cows, raise that many replacement calves, and manage 1,300 acres. They also offer services such as weed zapping and a welding shop to others in the area.
Tim Kline
Meandering Creek Dairy
Tim and Katie Kline own and operate Meandering Creek Farm 2 miles east of Holmesville, OH. The farm consists of 70 acres of hay and pasture with an additional 100 acres rented for hay. They milk around 60 Jersey cows with around replacement 30 heifers. They are a split seasonal freshening herd that are 100% Grassfed with their milk marketed through Organic Valley Grassmilk. Tim is also on the Board of Directors for Organic Valley's CROPP Cooperative.
Ivan Troyer, panelist
Ivan and Elnora Troyer, along with their 4 children ages 11-20, own and operate a 72-acre farm plus rent an additional 25 acres 3 miles north of Fredericksburg, OH. They graze around 40 crossbred cows along with some replacement heifers but most of the heifers are raised off farm. They raise grass, alfalfa, corn, and sometimes sorghum for hot/dry weather grazing. They have been marketing milk through Organic Valley since 2012.
Allen Weaver, panelist
Allen and Deanna Weaver live in Shreve, Ohio, where they own 108 acres and rent an additional 70 acres. They milk a herd of 80 Jersey cows that are 100% grassfed and market their milk through Organic Valley Grassmilk. They have a swing 6 parlor and free-stall barn. All the field work is done with draft horses and they raise the majority of the feed for the herd.
Funding Acknowledgment:
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2022-38640-37486 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC22-215. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.