Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Virginia Forage and Grassland Conference


The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council is pleased to invite you to this year’s winter forage conference, The Green Side of Beef: In Defense of Grassland Agriculture. The conference will explore the challenges faced by the livestock industry as it seeks to be—and be understood as—part of the solution to our global environmental problems.

The keynote speaker will be Nicolette Hahn Niman, a former vegetarian turned rancher. Once an environmental attorney who fought against the livestock industry, Nicolette now writes and travels widely, making the case that beef can not only be sustainable, but that our grazing lands can play an important role in preserving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting wildlife. Also speaking will be Dr. Alan Franzluebbers, a USDA Professor of Soil Ecology with NC State University. Alan will present surprising new research with implications for managing nutrients on pasture, as well as discussing the role of healthy grasslands in sequestering carbon. The day-long meetings will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and offer the same core program in each location.
January 18, 2021 - Wytheville Meeting Center, Wytheville, VA
January 19, 2021 – Olde Dominion Ag Complex, Chatham, VA
January 20, 2021 – The Carver Center, Rapidan, VA
January 21, 2021 – Blue Ridge Community College, Plecker Center, Weyers Cave, VA (Will be livestreamed in addition to in-person. See website for registration.)
The VFGC winter conferences will also include presentations from local livestock producers who will share their real-world experiences raising livestock on grass in a practical and sustainable way on pasture.
Visit the VFGC website at vaforages.org to view the conference agenda, register online, or get a mail-in registration form. The early-bird registration rate of $35 is available if received by January 4, 2022. After that date, the fee will increase to $50.
For more information, contact Margaret Kenny at vfgcforages@gmail.com.
Thank you, we hope to see you there.

Sunday, December 12, 2021

LAMB AND WINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

 With the holidays quickly approaching, the American Lamb Board (ALB) is promoting holiday recipes and wine pairings through social media and a new recipe booklet. The holiday themed recipe booklet features five recipes with wine pairing recommendations from Jessica Dupoy, a Sommelier from Austin, TX.

ALB has also partnered with Jessica to host a virtual Lamb & Wine Pairing Class. The class is designed to help consumers select which wine to serve with a variety of holiday lamb dishes ranging from braised lamb shanks to meatball appetizers. Each attendee will receive ALB’s newly designed Wine & Lamb recipe booklet that includes the featured pairings as well as an ALB bottle stopper and wine bag.

To download or order the new holiday recipe booklet click here.


Cheap Sheep?