KTS Farm and NODPA Field Days

 Open Gate Farm Day Report

When the heavy fog burned off by 9 am on September 26

at KTS Farm in Mansfield, PA a crowd of almost 40 participants had the opportunity to hear about how Kress Simpson and Mike Geiser now divide management and assets on KTS Farm, an organic dairy. After an introduction about how Holistic Management has influenced Kress’ decision on KTS the group headed out to the field to see the result of the grazing planning and implementation. Jim Weaver from Tioga County Planning and Troy Bishopp from Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District helped with the forage assessment activity which prompted a great conversation about forage quality and management. The group then moved to the New Zealand swing style parlor to learn how that has made a major difference in labor needs and quality of life on the farm.  In the afternoon, the conversations continued at the Mansfield Hose Company Hall as Kress shared how he developed the management transfer of his farm to Mike Geiser as well as some of the asset transfer while also supporting his son, Alec, in beginning his own dairy. This presentation was followed by a grain crop enterprise analysis presentation by Dave Johnson of NODPA. The last part of the afternoon was a whole farm goalsetting presentation with exercises by Ann Adams, HMI’s Director of Community Services. Evaluations of the event showed that

75%

of participants intend to complete a whole farm goal and

80%

intend to change management practices.

85%

of participants expanded their network and

90%

would recommend program to others. In total 3,820 acres will be influenced by this program.  

  Thanks to

Kress and Tammy Simpson and Mike Geiser of KTS Farm

for hosting the farm day and to our grantors

CHS Foundation and Simply Organic Fund

for their generous support and to

NODPA

for this opportunity for collaboration. Thanks also to

Doug Wright of Dairymaster Parlors

for supplying the morning refreshments for the day.