penn state university equine environmental stewardship program

Penn State University

Equine Environmental

Stewardship Program

In partnership with the Northeast

Region Sustainable Agriculture Research &

Education Program

In partnership with the Northeast

Region Sustainable Agriculture Research &

Education Program

Penn State University Equine Natural Working

Group ChairsDr. Ann Swinker, PSU Equine Specialist

aswinker@gmail.com, 814-865-7810Tom Walker, Extension Central CEO

tew11@psu.edu, 717-248-9618 Donna Foulk, PSU Northampton County Educator

dlf5@psu.edu, 610-746-1970

Team MembersHelene McKernan, PSU Equine Specialist

hbm10@psu.edu, 570-726-0022Nancy Kadwill, Extension CEO Southeast

nmk1@psu.edu, 610-489-4315Donna Zang, Extension CEO West

dsz1@psu.edu, 724-287-4761Lisa Jones, York Extension 4-H/Youth

lhj5007@psu.edu, 717-840-7408Pat Comerford, PSU Horse Specialist

pcomerford@psu.edu, 8814-863-3657Andrea Graeff Kocher, PSU Horse Specialist

agraeff@psu.edu, 814-863-3957

Penn State Equine Stewardship Program

…Promoting Care of the Horse,

the Environment, and the

Industry…Through

Research and Education…

Mission StatementDue to the continual growth and diversity of the

equine industry in Pennsylvania and the increasingly important role that the industry plays in supporting agriculture, the Penn State Equine Stewardship Work Group has been established to provide current, research-based information that is both relevant and timely. The program promotes care of the horse and the environment for the entire industry by providing research and education designed to enhance environmental health, water quality, sustainable farm management practices, and horse health and well-being.

What is in the Program?

Necessary information to successful complete an Equine Environmental Stewardship Program workshop(s) will be available on a UBS storage device or on a CD.

The Penn State University Equine Environmental Stewardship Natural Work Group is available for programming through chair(s) contact.

What Is the Curriculum?Designed to use with various clientele

groups.Consists of a series of seven lessons

-Module 1: The Grass is Always Greener Forage Biology and Grazing Management

-Module 2: The Grass is Always Greener Forage Species and Renovations

-Module 3: Pasture Soil Fertility Management

What Is the Curriculum? (cont.)

-Module 4: Weed Management in Horse Pastures

-Module 5: PA Horse Farms & Water Quality Regulations

-Module 6: Horse Manure Compost the Renewable Source

-Module 7: Basic Equine Nutrition

Each Lesson Contains

Pre-test1 ½ hours programPost-testAssignments/ReviewsFact Sheets

Possible Formats

5 evenings of two hours each (not consecutive evenings for time is needed between each lesson for the participants to complete their assignment).

3 Saturday mornings of three hours each.

Whatever format fits your situation and allows students time to complete assignments.

Facilitator’s Tool BoxProgram Power Point PresentationsProgram Fact Sheets, Evaluations, Activities Pasture Condition Score SheetAdditional Resource DownloadsForage Quality Lab List Brochure SamplesPress Release SuggestionsSample Certification of CompletionTool box cost = $25.00

Participant’s Resource Material*

Available as requested from Team Program Chairs

Soil test kit - $9.00 from PSU Analytical Lab**Equine weight tape - $2.00 from EEST**Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc & Fact Sheet– $2.00**Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc Fact Sheet – Print from

Program CD Pasture condition score sheet - Print from Program CD Identifying Pasture Grasses - $5.00 from Univ. of Wisconsin

Publication** Common Weed Seedlings of the North Central States -

$4.00*** Items suggested for participants to complete course assignments.** Equine Environmental Stewardship Team

Optional Student’s Resource Material

Weeds of the North East Book - $30.00Lewis’s Horse Fencing - $25.00Identifying Pasture Legumes -$7.00Agronomy Guide (downloadable) - $12.00

hardcopyManure Kit - $18.00PA Toxic Plants Book - $7.00