From Poop to Profits: July 1-2, 2019
From Poop to Profits: July 1-2, 2019
Farmers and ranchers looking to learn more about dung beetles — and how to encourage them in a healthy, profitable ecology — are invited to attend “From Poop to Profits: Dung Beetle Management for Farms & Ranches” on July 1 and 2 in Ottawa, Kansas. UPDATE: Please register by June 24, our catering deadline, to be assured of lunch both days.
The seminar will be hosted by two area farms. Day 1 will feature a keynote address by rancher Spencer Smith of Surprise Valley, California. It will also include education about dung beetles of the prairies and include a farm tour, led by Dr. Mary Liz Jameson and Morgan Tribble of Wichita State University.
Day 2 will provide a hands-on holistic management workshop in which participants can start their own paths toward dung beetle management, co-presented by Smith and Lawrence-based Holistic Management field professional Julie Mettenburg, of the Tallgrass Network.
Cost of the 2-day seminar includes lunch both days plus materials and is $149 per person. It will be held at Neosho County Community College - Ottawa Campus, Ottawa, Kansas. Full agenda below.
Note: once you click “add to cart,” a shopping cart will appear in the upper right corner of your screen (you may need to scroll up to see it). Please click on cart to complete your registration. Please email juliemettenburg@gmail.com if you encounter any problems.
Seminar Program -- DAY 1 — Dung Beetles for Profit & Whole Farm Health
9 a.m. Registration Begins
Welcome and Keynote address: “Why We Manage for Dung Beetles: Our Journey from Poop to Profits” -- Spencer Smith, Jefferson Center for Holistic Management, Surprise Valley, California
Dung Beetles of our prairie region -- Morgan Trible, Wichita State University
LUNCH -- catered
Dung Beetle Biology, Needs and Threats -- Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, Wichita State University
Farm Tour: demonstration of cattle walk-through fly trap, hunting through the dung for specimens, discussion of management practices to bring back the beetles — Seminar Speakers and Farm Hosts
Program -- DAY 2 -- Intro to Holistic Management for Dung Beetles
Welcome to Day 2
Case study -- Managing for dung beetles, making holistic decisions and results on the farm -- Julie Mettenburg
Holistic Financial Planning: how we can manage the goals of dung beetles and profits together -- Julie Mettenburg
Ecosystem Processes: How we can manage soil health for wealth plus CAPTURE that wealth through product premiums -- Spencer Smith
LUNCH -- Catered
Holistic Planned Grazing: How we can manage livestock for health AND wealth -- Spencer Smith
Getting Started workshop part 1: Put Your Goals on Paper -- Julie Mettenburg
Getting Started workshop part 2: Penciling It Out -- Gross Profit Analysis and Cash Flows -- Spencer Smith
Bringing It All Together -- next steps for Dung Beetles and whole-farm wealth and health -- Julie and Spencer
“From Poop to Profits” is provided with additional financial assistance from the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops.
For more information about speakers:
Spencer Smith, Jefferson Center website.
Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, Jameson Lab at Wichita State University.
Julie Mettenburg, Tallgrass Network.
Please email Julie at tallgrassnetwork@gmail.com for more information.
