Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 28, 2017
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Horse farm owners invited to enroll in conservation short course
Photos for media use are available at https://flic.kr/s/aHskNk83yD.
MIDDLEBURG, Va. — A new six-week course being offered this spring will give Northern Virginia horse farm owners the opportunity to learn about conservation practices that can improve local water quality and farming operations.
Healthy Land for Healthy Horses: A Short Course on Pasture and Manure Management will be held Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m., starting April 24 at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
The course will cover conservation specific to horse farms. Topics such as soil fertility, grazing management, plant identification and nutrient management will be discussed. Hands-on activities will complement classroom lectures, and an optional bus tour will enable participants to visit nearby farms where conservation practices are being used.
“Responsible farm management should prioritize both environmental and horse health,” MARE Center Equine Extension Specialist Bridgett McIntosh said. “The installation of simple best management practices provides long-term economic benefits for horse farms, protects local waterways and promotes the well-being of the horse.”
The course is free, but registration is required. Visit http://arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/middleburg/Events/dcr.html to register and view a detailed description of each session. A $35 fee covers the optional June 3 bus tour.
Participants who attend at least three sessions and submit a conservation plan at the final session will receive a certificate.
In addition to the MARE Center, the course is being presented by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, local offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension, the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District.
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