ATTRA Introduction and Whole- farm Planning for Sheep and Goats Linda Coffey & Margo Hale, NCAT

Funded by a grant from the USDA-Rural Business Cooperative Service What is ATTRA?

Information Service Publications Web site 800-line Research queries Workshops and Seminars What do we do?

Full and part-time farmers and ranchers Market gardeners Extension Service NRCS Agribusiness Non-profit & farm organizations Media Who do we serve?

Sustainable Agriculture Organic Agriculture Horticultural Crops Field Crops Soils Water Pest Management Livestock Marketing and Economics Farm Energy Education Others… What topics do we cover?

About us...

What are you currently doing? Enterprises? Experience? What questions do you have? What do you want to get out of this workshop? About you...

Whole-farm planning

What are your farm goals? What resources do you have? How will goats or sheep help you achieve those goals? Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian Whole-farm planning

Small Ruminant Sustainability Checksheet – summary.php?pub=340 – Building a Sustainable Business – business.pdf – Whole-farm planning resources

Small size  Easy to handle  Inexpensive to buy and feed Prolific and productive  Twins increase pounds weaned  Quick return on investment Good demand for products  Meat, milk, fiber, stock  Ethnic markets Benefits of goats and sheep

Pasture benefits  Use forages without equipment  Improve pastures  Add fertility Adaptable to many farms  Large and small  Various climates, topographies  Compliment other enterprises Adaptable to different grazing situations  Clean up cattle pastures  Control noxious weeds  Clean up crop residues, graze around buildings Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian Benefits of goats and sheep

Learning curve Marketing Production challenges –Fencing –Predators –Parasites Photo courtesy of Susan Schoenian Challenges

See these ATTRA publications –Illustrated Guide to Sheep and Goat Production –Goats: Sustainable Production Overview –Meat Goats: Sustainable Production –Dairy Goats –Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production –Small Ruminant Resource List – Maryland Small Ruminant Page – And consult with local Extension and with goat producers in your area For help with production information:

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a nonprofit organization that helps people and communities. NCAT champions small- scale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has weatherized houses, trained farmers, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. NCAT works on local and national projects that foster a healthy quality of life for everyone.