Back to Basics: A Novice's Guide to Farm Animals

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ever wanted a few chickens or a horse on your property? Have you been curious about what it takes to own goats, sheep, pigs, or cows? Come and learn at this new class series. The Back to Basics: A Novice's Guide to Farm Animal series is designed for aspiring small farmers, land owners, or 4-Hers interested in owning farm animals.

There has been an upsurge in interest in owning farm animals and this class is designed to address some of the challenges that someone new to farm animals might encounter. We will be covering goats, sheep, cattle, chickens, horses, and swine.

The goal of this series is to inform the novice owner about the latest information and trends related to common livestock animals found on small farms. We want you to be comfortable making choices about care, nutrition, housing, breeds, and uses to fit your lifestyle. We are going to cover a different animal group each week for five weeks starting Feb. 14, 2011.

This series will discuss proper care for each type of animal. Learn what it take to own livestock and the impact on your lifestyle. Learn about housing, care, breeding, and uses of the different animals you might be interested in owning. Learn tips and tricks from experts that can save you time and money.

You will understand and be able to "Talk the Talk" about livestock and livestock issues. You will meet other people with similar interests in livestock.

Learn how to avoid costly mistakes that can lead to bad experiences in owning livestock. Find out what equipment is necessary to care for your animals. Discover what you can expect out of your animals.

Each week we will be discussing a different animal group: Feb.14 -- Goats and Sheep, Feb. 21 -- Cattle, Feb. 28 -- All About Chickens, March 7 -- A Home for Horses, and March 14 -- Swine Guidance.

You can attend all five programs for the low price of $50 or you can pick and choose which sessions interest you for $15 a session. Classes are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The deadline for registration is Feb. 7. There isn't a fee for a second person from the same farm, so bring someone with you. We have several host sites around the state.

Please contact the nearest host site to register. If you are not near a host site and you have a high speed internet connection you can opt for remote viewing. If remote viewing is your option you must still register a few days before the class so we can send you a URL that will have the program going live so you can still participate.

For more information please contact Ann Delchambre 653-8411 or adelchambre@purdue.edu or Facebook Putnam County Agriculture.

Up-coming Events:

Feb. 3 -- Extension Homemakers Council Meeting 11:30 a.m. at Courthouse Annex

Feb. 7 -- E. H. Leader Lesson " Healthy Women -- Living Well" 1 p.m. at the Extension Office

Feb. 8 -- Growing Green Vegetables Series starts in Putnam

Feb. 8 -- Forage Council Meeting -- Putnam Fairgrounds

Feb. 14 -- Back to Basic Novice Livestock program starts 6:00

Feb. 15 -- Winter No-Till Meeting Spencer In

Feb. 19 -- Putnam 4-H Beef Weigh-in, Fairgrounds

Feb. 26 -- Putnam County Master Gardener Advanced Training Seminar -Putnam Fairgrounds