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EUGENE - A two-day training on raising pastured poultry is scheduled Sept. 7-8 in Eugene, sponsored by the Small Farms Program of the Oregon State University Extension Service.

"Most poultry are grown under contract with large processors, which is not an option for small farmers," said Garry Stephenson, small farms faculty member with OSU Extension and one of the event's organizers. "Pastured poultry is a production system that can be managed on a small scale and with low overhead. It also grows broilers under conditions that appeal to a significant segment of consumers."

The training will provide ample information and practical experience for interested growers to be able to set up an enterprise. It will include classroom lectures and discussion as well as on-farm practical experience.

Instruction will be provided by university and government specialists, and by a poultry grower using pastured production. Topics will include:

• An overview of the variety of pasture and range production systems;
• Nutrition and feeds;
• Poultry health;
• Meat processing regulations for Oregon;
• In-depth coverage of the pasture-based system;
• On-farm training.

The school is limited to a small number of participants in order to enhance the learning experience. Registration fee is $175, which includes continental breakfasts, lunches and reference materials.

For a registration form contact the OSU Benton County Extension office at: 800-365-0201 or 541-766-6750. Registration deadline is Aug. 26th.