Raising Replacement Does for Dairy Goat Farmers提高奶山羊农民的替代.pptVIP

Humboldt/Del Norte Goat Milk Producers Association Producers Working Together Deborah Giraud, UCCE Farm Advisor May 15, 2008 Why do it? Producers are busy ! Managing goats, breeding, milking, business management, making cheese, etc. Producers have needs in common Survey and discuss needs and possible actions to benefit everyone, individually and collectively Humboldt County There were six commercial herds, we now have four, almost five. With two more saying they will start up. Had two cheese plants, now have one large one. At least two are considering starting up herds, and one possible farmstead cheese. About 1800 goats. History of Association Started meeting in 2004 Bylaws adopted March 2005 First project year of 2006 Second project year of 2007 Third project year of 2008 Accomplishments Meeting Quarterly (Networking, sharing experiences, learning, helping each other on specific tasks) Officers taking leadership roles Accomplishments Extension Service Farm Advisor Involvement: Grants written by Farm Advisor Partnered with Economic Development Group Money coming in to do cooperative projects Getting Cooperative Extension Specialists and Dairy Farm Advisors involved Two workshops, guest speakers from wide area UC CE Dairy Goat Workgroup ( Travel funds ) Accomplishments – 1st Grant Cost Study started pre-association- funded by a Kellogg/ UC Davis grant process Published in 2005 Involved interviewing producers, having UCD Specialist and Staff complete cost study, sending out for review, editing extensively, second edition Booklet on Raising Dairy Goats written, grant paid for hard copies Accomplishments – 2nd Grant Worked with local economic development partner, co-wrote grant to local Foundation. Each producer had business consultant work with them on their business plan ($200 for $1,500 worth of consultation) Strategic Plan for Association with consultant June 2006 Regional Workshop in Santa Rosa, speakers from Oklahoma, Davis and private indust