Join OPN at Small Farm School!
Are you looking to expand your farming or ranching skills while connecting with others doing the same? Don’t miss OSU’s Small Farm School on September 10 at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City.
Register for Small Farm School Register for Small Farm SchoolThis full-day event features 36 hands-on workshops covering a wide range of small farm topics – there’s something for everyone! This year, there’s an extra reason for livestock producers to get excited! Thanks to feedback from past attendees, the lineup this year includes six livestock-focused sessions curated by the Oregon Pasture Network (OPN). These sessions are designed to build your confidence and skills, whether you are new to livestock or ready to take your systems to the next level.
With only three session blocks in the day, you’ll have to make some tough choices – or better yet, bring a friend and divide and conquer, then share notes! Here’s a peek at the OPN-supported livestock and business workshops:
8:30am – 10:00am
Assess and Revitalize Your Pastures
Dr. Shayan Ghajar, OSU Assistant Professor, Extension Organic Pasture & Forages
Want healthier, more productive forage, but aren’t starting with prime pasture? Learn how to evaluate what’s working (and what’s not) in your pastures, plus practical steps to improve soil health and forage quality over time.
10:30am – noon
Handling and Moving Livestock
Hayley White, OSU Assistant Professor of Practice, Extension Forages & Livestock
Moving animals calmly and safely is key to low-stress livestock management – for both you and your animals. This session covers the foundations in a fun and accessible way for all experience levels.
Everything I’ve Learned About Chickens
Leslie Pierce, Livestock Lead, Foglight Farms & Owner of Flock City PDX
Thinking about tapping into the egg market? Leslie is an egg-spert that will share what she’s learned about laying hens – from breed selection and feeding to housing and hen health, with some information about sharing resources for continued support. If you’ve been thinking about tapping into the egg market – don’t miss this one!
Assess and Revitalize Your Pastures
Dr. Shayan Ghajar, OSU Assistant Professor, Extension Organic Pasture & Forages
Want healthier, more productive forage? Learn how to evaluate what’s working (and what’s not) in your pastures, plus practical steps to improve soil health and forage quality over time.
1:45pm – 3:15pm
Electric Fence How-tos and Paddock Design
Mike Guebert, OPN Program Director
Electric fencing doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this outdoor, hands-on session, OPN’s Mike Guebert will share how to choose the right materials, set up safe systems, and design paddocks that support your grazing goals.
Assessing Hay Quality
Hayley White, OSU Assistant Professor of Practice, Extension Forages & Livestock
Not all hay is created equal – and what do people mean when they say “local hay”? Learn how to identify quality hay, understand labels, and match feed to your animals’ needs. You’ll get to examine real samples and leave with the confidence to make informed purchases.
Email Marketing Basics for Livestock Producers
Michelle Thorne, Executive Director, Good Meat Project
Raising great livestock is only half the job – you also have it sell it! Learn simple, effective strategies to build an email list of engaged subscribers to turn them into loyal fans of your farm and regular customers.
Whether you’re managing chickens or cattle, fine-tuning your grazing, or working to grow a successful business, Small Farm School is a can’t-miss opportunity.
Registration is now open! Click here to explore the full workshop schedule and sign up!
We hope to see you there!