Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council
Learn, explore, and network
Contact: foragecouncil@sfa-mn.org or 1.844.922.5573 Ext. 714.
Since 2000, Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council, a Networking Group of the Sustainable Farming Association, has provided thousands of people with opportunity to learn, explore, and network through winter workshops and summer land and water tours. The group is open to all who wish to participate.
Follow us on Facebook here.
Upcoming Events
Pasture Walk Series #6: Integrating Haying into Your Grazing Plan
September 26, 2024
Rocky Oaks Farm
19956 CORD 66 Wadena, MN 56482
Dale Schmitz and his son Joey manage approximately 100 cow-calf pairs on a mix of native and improved cool-season pastures. With a couple years of experience out-wintering cattle on pastures, Dale will share valuable tips and tricks that he has learned.
This pasture-walk offers a unique opportunity to see a successful rotational grazing system in action and to learn about various aspects of pasture management from an experienced practitioner. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and connect with fellow farmers!
Highlights:
- Learn about Dale’s summer and winter watering systems for livestock, ensuring efficient and reliable water supply year-round.
- Discover Dale’s effective out-wintering strategies and how he utilizes horses for feeding bales during the winter months. Gain insights into best practices for outwintering to maintaining and improving pasture fertility.
- Explore Dale’s rotational grazing system for his 100 cow-calf pairs, focusing on the benefits of using hayfields instead of taking a second cutting.
- Plus weed management, cover crops, and much more!
Registration is free. Advance registration appreciated, walkups welcome.
Pasture-walk leaders: Dale Schmitz, Ivan Reinke
2024 Forage Council Grazing School with Greg Judy and Isaac Tappenden
September 27 & 28, 2024 • Verndale, MN
The 2024 Forage Council Grazing School is scheduled for two full days, Sept 27 & 28th in Verndale.
Greg Judy and Isaac Tappenden with Green Pastures Farm will be our guest speakers. We are offering a mix of sessions on basic grazing techniques as well as in depth sessions for advanced grazers.
Registration - *Closes 4 PM CT on Wednesday, Sept. 25*
Advance registration required. No walkups, please. The registration fee is $280 for SFA members, and $300 for nonmembers.
Members must log in to see member pricing.
Learn more about joining SFA here.
Registration includes lunch on Friday and Saturday, and supper on Friday evening. Lunches will be provided from BBQ Smokehouse (Wadena). Want to join the group for dinner only? Click here.
Info: Jim Chamberlin (218) 831-0528; George Heller (218) 371-6547
This event is sponsored by Grassland 2.0 and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Grazing School Clinicians & Presenters
Greg Judy, Green Pastures Farm, Missouri
Internationally-known grazing expert Greg Judy operates multiple grass farms with two objectives: healthy farms, healthy farmers. Judy fosters practices that mimic nature, working with it to keep inputs low and land healthy.
Isaac Tappenden, Farm Manager, Green Pastures Farm
Isaac will return to our Grazing School, this time with his boss. He keeps things running smoothly at Green Pastures and brings lots of knowledge on regenerative agriculture.
Jordan Meyer, Wholesome Family Farms, Minnesota
Jonathan Kilpatrick, Farmer Education Director, Sustainable Farming Association
Dr. Roger Moon, Department of Entomology Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
Schedule
Friday, Sept. 27
Begins at the Verndale Community Center (109 1st Ave SE)
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 Welcome & Introductions
9:00 Greg Judy - "Building healthy soils with ruminants"
10:30 Break
10:45 Isaac Tappenden - "Animal performance management"
11:45 Q&A with Greg and Isaac
Noon Lunch travel to George Heller Farm
1:00 PM Greg Judy - "Securing long-term leases"
1:30 Breakout Session One
2:45 Breakout Session Two
4:00 Adjourn. Return to Verndale Community Center.
4:30 Table topic discussions
6:00 Dinner by Chef Joel London*
*If you cannot attend the Grazing School but are interested in the dinner, you can purchase a ticket for that separately here.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Begins at the Verndale Community Center (109 1st Ave SE)
8:30 AM Recap of Friday
9:00 Greg & Jan Judy - "Stacking enterprises and direct marketing
10:30 Break
10:45 Isaac Tappenden - "Preparing for and managing through drought
11:45 Q&A with Greg, Jan, and Isaac
Noon Lunch travel to George Heller Farm
1:00 PM Isaac Tappenden - "Building a grass genetic cow herd"
1:30 Breakout Session Three
2:45 Breakout Session Four
4:00 Q&A and discussion
4:30 Door Prizes; Adjourn
Breakout Sessions
Fence and Paddock Design - Learn tips and tricks on permanent and temporary fence installation and how they can be used in effective paddock design. Led by Greg Judy.
Stockmanship and Low-Stress Cattle Handling - Better understand animal behavior when moving and handling cattle to reduce stress on them and you. Led by Isaac Tappenden.
Managing Small Ruminants - Fencing and management techniques specific to small ruminants, including multi-species grazing. Led by Jordan Meyer and Jonathan Kilpatrick.
The Dung Pat Ecosystem - Explore the role of dung beetles in breaking down dung pats. Learn best management practices to support a healthy dung pat ecosystem as the foundation for soil health. Led by Dr. Roger Moon.
Forage Resources
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