Vermont's current Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Louise Calderwood, when she was a dairy specialist with UVM Extension, was instrumental in introducing the concept of dairy discussion groups to Vermont, after observing them in New Zealand, where they have been used for 40 years. Farmers with cows that never go out of the barn are talking with those with completely grass-based systems. Colleen Helenek, an Extension dairy specialist who works with the Farmers for Tomorrow, emphasizes that the discussion groups are not intended to replace the farm visit. When a farmer calls with a problem, we still go out. However, these groups have a greater impact than individual farm visits.
Farmers have a chance to observe how other farmers are doing something.
They are teaching each other. Recently, a group of farmers, including Chaput, worked with Extension to organize the first large-farm conference in Vermont. Held in South Burlington in March, it attracted 130 participants, who came to hear national experts speak on labor management, interpersonal communication, financial management, milk marketing, and biosecurity. Halvorsen For more information about farmer discussion groups, contact Colleen Helenek . Imagine a college class where you have no interaction with your professor and, in fact, see her only once during the semester.