On December 15th the MSU Kellogg Biological Station hosted a Value Added Dairy Marketing Workshop for dairy producers wanting to learn how to increase farm income using on-farm processing and direct sales or other alternative marketing strategies.

Over 40 dairy farmers participated in the day long workshop, which included presentations on Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Dairy, Rules and Regulations of On-Farm Processing, and marketing products using organic and pasture based labeling.

Speakers included Tom Kalchik (MSU Product Center), Beth Swank (Michigan Department of Agriculture), Torry Thuli (Darlington Dairy Supply Co.), Dan Mosgaller (Organic Valley), Chad Pawlak (Grass Point Farms), and John Partridge (Michigan State University.  Workshop participants also had an opportunity to tour the new pasture-based/ robotic milking dairy facility at the Kellogg Biological Station dairy.

This workshop was part of a series of workshops to be held at the Kellogg Biological Station and funded, in part, through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support the development of research and outreach initiatives that promote the sustainability of small and mid-sized dairy farms in Michigan.

Future workshops include 'Nutrient Management for Small and Mid-Sized Dairy Farms' (February 2, 2010) and 'Transitioning to a Pasture Based Dairy System' (March 24th, 2010).

For information on these workshops and other educational programs at the Kellogg Biological Station Pasture Dairy Research and Education Center visit our web site or contact Mat Haan at 269-671-2360 or haanm@msu.edu.