July 30 and 31 Maine Coast Heritage Trust will host Beef Basics, a weekend-long series of clinics for farmers from 8:30 to 4:00 at Aldermere, a saltwater farm located at 20 Russell Avenue in Rockport, Maine.

Begun 13 years ago as a way to support new Belted Galloway owners, the seminar has expanded to a variety of training programs to improve care for various types of cattle and, most recently, lambs. Featured guest presenter, Kirk Stierwalt, will lead a 2-day fitting clinic. Stierwalt has decades of experience working with show cattle and leading clinics and demonstrations throughout the United States and Canada.

Participants may choose from a selection of one-day and two-day clinics, ranging from $10 to $50 per clinic. The fee is half price for each additional registrant from the same farm. Saturday local vets and other beef specialists will walk through the basics of raising cattle, breeding options, and medical emergencies kit ideas. A Market Lamb Clinic will teach lamb selection, feeding showmanship and fitting and is free for youth participating in the Union Fair Youth Market Auction. An Artificial Insemination Certification Course will run Saturday through Sunday. Participants are invited bring their own animal or pick one from Aldermere to learn how to show and clip during the hands-on Cattle Fitting and Showmanship. For more information or to register, please contact Aldermere Farm at 236-2739 or via email at jlucas@mcht.org.