Seven Springs Speaker Spotlight: Jeannette Beranger, Heritage Farm Animal Expert

Reader Contribution by Erica Binns
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Get to know Jeannette Beranger of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

What are you going to speak about at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR?

Throughout agricultural history each generation has taken its turn as steward of the genetic trust of farm animal breeds, yet our generation is in danger of bankrupting this trust. Each day some breeds move closer to extinction and in-turn reduces the genetic diversity within the species. A few highly specialized breeds selected for maximum output dominate modern agriculture, leaving many traditional breeds to disappear as their popularity declines.

Historic breeds often have a high level of adaptation that can be integrated into agricultural systems where the industrial breeds can no longer thrive. These systems are a perfect habitat for the utilization of traditional breeds whose products have now found a growing number of consumers, creating a profitable niche market opportunity for small farms. In the two sessions Jeannette will be teaching learn how to choose appropriate breeds for your farm and how to profitably incorporate them into your sustainable agricultural system.

The first session will have a swine focus that introduces attendees to heritage pigs that in recent years have become the “darlings” of master chefs across the country and are a boon to small farms and homesteaders. In the second session learn about the exciting possibilities of egg production with heritage chickens as well as alternative species of heritage fowl including ducks, geese, and turkeys.

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