MOFGA LIF workshop

[Jim Ostergard]

Several attendees at this week-ends LIF workshop asked for a picture of my walking beam arch so I am putting it here( I hope). The new format which puts working with horses in the forefront was really great. I am sure Jen will add a lot of detail later. Students got loads of line time with many different horses and teamsters and it was wonderful to see the building of skill and confidence as the workshop progressed. Lots of work by the volunteers who gave of their time and knowledge. Brads presentation of the Vermont cut was really appreciated by all.
Jimbojim
If the file does not attach you can find it on Page 8 of old DAP photos. You probably can figure out who Rusty and me are. A couple of skinny old guys.

[Mark Cowdrey]

I am interested to hear more detail about the new format.
Thanks,
Mark

[mitchmaine]

Hey mark,
I’ll take a stab at this one. First, participants were discouraged from bringing their own animals. This freed everyone up to work with teamsters and broke horses. In the past, lots of time and energy went into working with owners and their horses that seemed to draw attention away from the logging aspect of the event. It was successful by itself, but didn’t seem to be part of low impact forestry. Instead, now, several teamsters with their own horses, work with three or four participants for three days. One, in the barns, working and talking about feet, teeth, health, condition, harness and logging tools and various ways to work in the woodlot. The second day is a repeat of the first but moves out into the infield through an obstacle course designed to provide obstacles you might find in a woodlot, and focuses on driving skills and gives the group hands on experiences. The third day repeats the first two, and moves up into the woodlot through the trails and log brows and includes twitching, loading scoots and moving logs. Groups are always close enough to share their experiences and so forth. There is a silviculture day with foresters in the woodlot making plans, laying out trails. Its very calm compared to the former program, and can be adjusted on the move to accommodate other ideas and so on. It had a great feel to it, and I think everyone seemed pleased with the way it went.

[Ethan Tapper]

I had a really great time. There were a lot of different skill levels but I don’t think anyone felt bored or overwhelmed. There was a lot of flexibility and different things going on with different instructors, and a lot of great opportunities to learn (and a LOT of opportunities to eat REALLY good food, too). I also felt that it was a tremendous value, very cheap for the level of services and instruction that were provided (and this for me, who paid the full price for only half the workshop).

[dominiquer60]

Ethan,

Though I did not attend this year, I am sure that the food alone was worth the cost 🙂

Glad you folks had fun. Does anyone know how the youth and working cattle played out on Saturday morning? Eli told me that there was the potential for a lot of young folk showing up for that day.

[Ethan Tapper]

There were 5-6 12 and 13-year-olds that came to work the cattle on Saturday. Seemed like they had a good time.

[dominiquer60]

Thanks Ethan, I am glad that there are some young folk interested in working cattle, I know some of them have show mentors, but not really anyone to show them how to properly utilize cattle in a working environment. I will have to catch up with Eli sometime to find out the details.

[Author]

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