St. Brigid’s Farm, a Registered Jersey™ dairy located near Kennedyville, Md., will be one of eight U.S. operations featured as a Virtual Farm Tour at the 2011 World Dairy Expo.
The program, which will be presented by owners Robert Fry, D.V.M., and Judy Gifford, will start at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 in Mendota 1 meeting room in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. The American Jersey Cattle Association is the program sponsor.
“The three cornerstones of St. Brigid’s Farm,” Judy explains, “are ecological soundness, economic viability and positive community influence with the Jersey cow the center of all three.”
The 55-acre farm is located on the scenic eastern shore of Maryland near the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay and planted in permanent pasture. It was named after St. Brigid, the patron saint of dairymaids and scholars who was renowned for her compassion and often featured with cows at her feet. She perfectly represents the pairing of Judy, the dairymaid, and Bob, the scholar.
Established in 1996 with the purchase of 69 heifers, the St. Brigid’s Jersey herd today includes 160 head consisting of milking cows, replacement heifers, steers and veal calves. The cows graze on perennial grasses, such as ryegrass, orchardgrass or endophyte-free fescue mixed with white clover, from April to mid-December.
Grass-fed Jersey beef and meadow-raised veal is sold directly to individuals and restaurants to offer consumers a delicious and healthy alternative to the options at the supermarket.
Other Virtual Farm Tours feature dairy businesses located in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and North Carolina. They are being sponsored by AgSource Cooperatives Services, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Lely USA, North Carolina Dairy Advantage, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Quality Liquid Feeds, and Structures Unlimited LLC. There is no charge for these programs.