Draft Horse Farming in Michigan

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  • September 3, 2011 at 8:59 pm #43026
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi there!

    My name is Gina Wertz. I apprenticed this last summer at a draft-horse powered vegetable farm in Knox Maine (New Beat Farm, Adrienne Lee and Ken Lamson). I’m trying to move back to the Midwest this fall. I’m originally from Indiana but am headed toward Michigan in October.

    I am trying to find draft horse people in Michigan. I am already aware of Tiller’s International. Is there anyone else out there? Any organizations like North East Animal Power Draft Network or the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association?

    I’ve been out in Maine for the past two years, so I suspect that I’m fairly spoiled as far as learning opportunities go. I want to be back in the Midwest to be closer to my family and friends in Indiana, and I hope that I can find as supportive of a farming network as there is in Maine.

    Thanks,

    Gina Wertz

    ginawertz@gmail.com

    September 7, 2011 at 11:57 pm #69028
    Rivendell Farm
    Participant

    Hi Gina,
    Welcome to the forum. I notice there hasn’t been an overwhelming response to the question on the supportive farming network in Michigan. I live in southern Michigan, about one half mile from Indiana, and have farmed with horses for more than 20 years. As far as I know there is nothing in Michigan that comes close to MOFGA. In fact, I’m planning to go to the Common Ground fair in Maine this month. There are people around who take horses to plowing matches, parades, etc., but as far as farming goes, that’s mostly done by the Amish. I’d be happy to learn if there is something out there I don’t know about.

    Where in Michigan are you headed? Bob

    September 14, 2011 at 3:40 pm #69029
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi Gina,

    I’m in a surprisingly similar situation as you — relocating to Michigan from the northeast (Boston area), and hoping to tap into a draft horse farming community there. I’ll be in Berrien County (far southwest corner of the state), and am hoping to meet a teamster who doesn’t mind passing on some driving & farming w/horses skills to a newbie — and ideally one who’s not too far away!

    I recently took a workshop at Historic Prophetstown in West Lafayette, IN. They are certainly engaged in the draft horse community in IN, and may have ideas about MI too. Also, I saw that there’s a draft horse club in Laporte Co., Indiana, but haven’t seen much web presence for MI draft horse clubs. Do you know where you’re heading in MI?

    Best,
    Sarah

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