About the Host Farm
Spring Wood dairy is operated by Roman and Dwight. This is a fourth-generation family farm in Lancaster County PA. This tract was originally owned by William Penn and was part of his 800-acre personal estate. It has been farmed by Stoltzfoos’ since 1941 and operated as an Organic Farm Since 1987. In 2007 Dwight and Roman formed a partnership and have been 100% grass-fed since 2012. There are about 200 milking cows on 220 acres on the home farm where the dairy is. An additional 400 plus acres provide feed and pasture for the dairy herd and the approximately 130 head of young stock and breeding bulls. Roman also raises about 10,000 turkeys a year for the kosher market. Keeping soil protected and productive is our goal
Who Should Attend?
✔ Anyone wanting to transform their dairy into a highly efficient and profitable business and transform their quality of life. You will learn how to build soil, animal, and economic health through a combination of classroom and field exercises. The school will tackle the biggest issues facing dairy producers, from herd health and reproduction, to crop and cover crop success, to waste management and fertility, to economics and building true net wealth. Hands-on experience will be heavily emphasized.
✔ Dairy producers of all sizes and types. Milk production is a fast-paced, highly demanding profession and dairy producers have the skill and revenue to accomplish great things. We hope to broaden your perspective on using your expertise and advantages with practical tools that increase your options, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen your resilience.
✔ Any producer that wants to know more about the “how do I get there from here”. Learn what can be done, what it might cost, how long it may take, and what it could look like along the way.
This is a power-packed session that will be backed up by future sessions and will change your perspective on what dairying should be and can be. Taught by highly experienced and expert regenerative farmers and dairy producers.
September 26-28, 2022
Tuition of $1,375 includes:
• Regen Ag 101 course ($499.00 value), which we would like you to complete prior to the first day of class;
• In-person attendance at the SHA school, as well as digital course materials and lunch each day;
• Two follow-up Zoom meetings with a consultant within the first year after the date of the SHA school you attended
• Access to future scheduled conference calls with the instructors.
School and Farm Location
Spring Wood Organic Farm
1143 Gap Road
Kinzers, PA 17535
Scholarship Money Available
We are committed to helping you finance this educational experience. We encourage anyone with interest to apply. If you want to attend one of our 3-day events, you are eligible for a scholarship. In addition we will be giving special consideration to the following:
- Students
- Families or farms with more than one person attending
- Past SHA students
- Veterans
- Agricultural educators and influencers
- Minority, tribal, women and historically underserved individuals
What You Will Learn
- Practical Application of The Principles of Soil Health & Adaptive Stewardship
- Cropping & Cover Cropping Strategies for Building Soil Health and Nutrient Dense Feedstuffs
- Making Dairying Highly Profitable & Highly Enjoyable
- High Level Observation and Decision-Making Skills
- Improving Cow Health and Performance While Reducing Inputs
- Strategies for Enhanced Net Margins
- The Practical Implications of Improved Soil Health, Including Mitigating Effects of Wet or Dry Conditions, Increased Harvest Windows, and Improved Animal Performance.
Topics Addressed:
- Cropping rotations for soil health
- Strategies for significant input cost reduction
- Integrating livestock into cropping systems
- Grazing alternative forages (heifers, dry cows) - crop residue, cover crops
- Maintaining cow comfort & performance while using the herd to advance soil health.
- Manure and fertility management – Avoiding issues and effective application.
- Soil health evaluation
- Building and maintaining cow health and optimal performance.
- Addressing resource concerns
Hotel Information
Best Western and Revere Inn and Suites
3063 Lincoln Highway E, Box 336
Paradise, PA 17562
(717) 687-7683
H
Comfort Inn and Suites (717)407-0503
812 Route 41
Gap, PA 17527
Use this link to book directly into a block reserved for SHA
Closest Airport
Lancaster Airport
500 Airport Rd
Suite G
Lititz, PA 17543
