December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas from Draft Animal Power Network
Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, may it be full of peace, contentment, family and friends. The winter solstice is always a time for renewing and reconnecting energy and planning for the New Year. We, at Draft Animal Power Network, are deep in plans for a terrific year in 2012.
We are tentatively planning a plowing workshop in the spring as well
as a single horse workshop. Bluestar Equiculture has offered up their
place for a special event this year as well. We also hope to
collaborate with Green Mountain Draft Horse Association and MOFGA on
several events. Stay tuned for more details.
Of a more technical nature, DAPNet has been asked to consult on a salvage operation in the Wilderness area over in Lincoln, NH. This is a technically challenging operation to move 5 tons of steel I-beams and some creosoted timber beams out of the wilderness without the use of wheeled vehicles or powered equipment....not even a chainsaw. Ed Thayer, Chair of the Program and Events Committee headed up an exploratory expedition last weekend to evaluate the job with Horse Logger, John Plowden. We are still working out details and are not sure the project is feasible, given the long skid trail (nearly 6 miles in all) and several challenging trail obstacles, as well as some financial limitations, but we will continue to explore the options for what promises to be a unique adventure.
Above: the load to move
Left: a tricky ford to get across on the skid trail.
Ed Thayer and Sophie pictured for scale.
Our Annual Gathering is already taking shape and will be held at Perry Farm in Brownington, VT, September 14-16, 2012. So mark your calendars now!
Perhaps you have an Event idea or a place to hold a workshop... please contact our administrator, Jean. We can help organize the perfect venue.
Have an Event you or your club would like to advertise? Let us know and we will put it on the calender.
The Logging Workshop in Athol at The Farm School was a huge success!
Three teams and a single horse presented various techniques for
moving wood from the Farm School woodlot, with a wide variety of
participants observing, some even getting some hands on experience. A
scoot was built as well. We are acquiring feedback from this event as
we speak and hope to improve the format going forward. Thanks for all
who participated!
Photos of the event are HERE.
Videos: Carl and his team working the scoot.
Bradley Teeter and his beautiful Belgians.
Joseph Zorzin's video (Joe is the consulting forester for the Farm school)
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Please consider donating some time to the DAPNet organization...
The Finance Committee of the Board of Directions is seeking some help from within the membership. We are looking for volunteers with grant proposal writing experience to take the lead in putting together a number of proposals for possible grant funding. This work is critical as we look to secure grant funding as part of a revenue stream that will fund our organization in the years to come. Please come and share some of your time, work, and experience as we strive to make Draft Animal Power grow into a self-sustaining organization. This is a super way to lend a hand and get more involved.
In addition, we are currently looking at developing our own 501(c)3 designation. WANTED: some wonderful person with experience filing a 501(c)3 to help DAPNet with their application for non-profit status.
If you are interested in either of these projects, please Contact Reva Seybolt, Chair of the Finance Committee and DAPnet Treasurer.
Our Next Newsletter will come out in January...
If you are not a member, sign up now to get your copy.
If you would like to advertise, our copy deadline is January 1st. Please contact Jean with any print ads or classifieds. Remember that classifieds are free for members.
Also, we welcome any draft animal power articles or stories for the Newsletter. A good way to get your view out into the hands of thousands of draft animal enthusiasts all over the country.
DAPNet would like to Thank our sponsor, Rural Vermont.
In the News...
from our Donn Hewes and Grist: Small Farmers crave Horse Power
For Fun...
from Kathy on facebook... Sleigh Ridefrom Bivol on the forum: Fast walking Oxen
from John Morton on our facebook group: The Swedish Draft Horse
And the AMAZING!
Lorenzo 2011 a man who puts the dignity of the horse ahead of the show...
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