Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship

SHELBURNE — Farmers, loggers and homesteaders from across the country gathered at Shelburne Farms this past weekend for the 19th annual Draft Animal Power Field Days.

Hosted by the Vermont-based nonprofit Draft Animal Power Network, the three-day, volunteer-run educational conference included workshops like Oxen Basics, Profitable Pony Power, Bovine Hoof Care, and The Dog-Powered Treadmill.

Maggie Smith, vice president of the organization, said draft animals aren't an "antique technology."

“We feel that draft animals are still really relevant for getting things done in the outdoors,” she said. “There’s a lot of things you can do with draft animals, and the sky’s kind of the limit.”

Smith also said meeting in person at events like the field days is extremely valuable for members.

“A lot of us go home to places where we don’t have anybody around us who does this,” she said. "Coming together with friends is part of what makes the conference so special. I knew that if I got involved with this organization, I would get to be friends with these people, who are some of the coolest people I have ever known.”

This year, the event welcomed teamsters with all sorts of animals, including horses, oxen and goats. A teamster is "the human being who partners with the draft animal to do work," event volunteer Natasha Klemek said. “I have a draft dog, so I’m a draft dog teamster," she said.

Brittany Abbott, another event volunteer, decided to train her goats, Tugboat and Turkey, for draft work at her homestead.

“The goats really just fit into the scale of farming that we do,” she said. “They’re definitely not an animal that you’re going to use commercially, but if you have a small homestead, it’s a really good animal to use.”

She said her goats haul hay, water, produce and firewood by pulling a small sled.

Another reason why people choose to use draft animal power is the bond that they form with their animals.

Logger John Smolinsky said he enjoys working with his horses because “the conversation’s so good.”

Smolinsky operates a forestry business by himself, so he is often only working alongside his horses. With a live power source, he said, “every day is new and creative."

Event volunteer Tom Jenkins shared similar feelings about logging with oxen.

“They bring peace to me,” he said. “I have a real connection with them that I don’t have if I’m working with a tractor.”

First-time attendee Meghan Alexander enjoyed learning about the diverse backgrounds of network members.

“Everyone has such amazing, unique, different journeys as far as how they ended up here,” she said.

Alexander found this year’s field days to be welcoming and encouraging.

“The biggest impression I’ve gotten from being new in this community is just how open arms it is to anyone that’s interested,” she said. “Just come out and jump in and learn.”