Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit
March 19 & 20, 2025
Willmar Conference Center
Willmar, Minnesota
Registration & Getting There
Keynote Speakers
The Summit has an exciting lineup of nationally recognized experts, alongside experienced farmers and ranchers from the Midwest. See a few profiles of the keynote speakers and features below, or scope out the full schedule to see it all!
Jim Gerrish
Jim Gerrish is a renowned grazing lands educator, consultant, and writer who works with farmers and ranchers across the US and internationally through American GrazingLands Services LLC.
With over 22 years of experience in beef-forage research at the University of Missouri, Jim played a pivotal role in elevating its Forage Systems Research Center to national prominence. His work laid the foundation for principles of Management-intensive Grazing.
Sessions
Why We Can't Continue Business as Usual
Grazing Management for Targeted Animal Performance
7 Things I Have Learned about Profitable Farming & Ranching Over 45 Years
Melinda Sims
Melinda Sims and her husband are the fourth generation on the ranch at Sims Cattle Company (McFadden, Wyoming), and are actively bringing the fifth generation on. Over her 24 years on the ranch, Melinda has taken on diverse roles, from managing daily operations to overseeing long-term planning and business strategy. Melinda is passionate about helping ranchers build profitable, resilient businesses and is a Ranching for Profit instructor.
Sessions
Profit and Legacy: Ensuring Ranch Viability for Successors
Profitable, Adapted Livestock: The Art of Winter Grazing at 7200’
Brett McRae
Brett and Chantel McRae own and operate McRae Land & Livestock near Brandon, MB. They manage 2,000 acres of land, raising commercial cattle and growing a diverse mix of crops, including cereals, canola, pulses, and corn. Committed to regenerative agriculture, the McRaes focus on soil health, resiliency, and practical field-scale solutions.
Sessions
Corn Grazing 101
Building a Systematized Regenerative Farm
Special Features
Book Signing & Social with Jim Gerrish
Jim has authored three acclaimed books on grazing: Management-intensive Grazing (2004), Kick the Hay Habit (2010), and Keeping it Green: A Handbook for Creating and Managing Irrigated Pasture (2022). He also revised the second edition of Allan Nation’s classic Quality Pasture in 2019. Additionally, he contributes a monthly column to The Stockman Grass-Farmer. Copies of these books will be available for purchase and signing by Jim during our Wednesday Social Hour!
Screening of Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)
Wednesday night is movie night! Enjoy episodes from the docuseries showcasing innovative cattle farmers, their herds, and their land. Follow a group of pioneering scientists investigating whether a grazing approach that mimics the natural patterns of bison can promote environmental health and combat climate change.
Grazing Equipment and Demonstration Trailer
Explore the NRCS's mobile educational tool equipped with essential fencing and watering system components, as well as other grazing-related materials.
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities
Join us as a sponsor of the Summit!
There are two ways to apply:
1. Apply entirely online. Complete your application form and payment here.
2. Submit this completed form to Jerry Ford. To pay, mail a check to 4924 Upton Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55410 or inquire about an invoice at info@sfa-mn.org.
The Evolution of SFA's Midwest Soil Health Summit
For 11 years, the Sustainable Farming Association has proudly hosted the Midwest Soil Health Summit, an educational event developed during a time when soil health was still a budding concept.
As the importance of soil health has become more widely recognized and soil health education more readily available, we are shifting the educational focus of the Summit and rebranding the event as the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit.
More than just a name change, this evolution acknowledges and celebrates the deep connection between soil and livestock in building thriving ecosystems and communities.
This new emphasis allows us to explore the dynamic harmony between grazing and soil health—together, they create a regenerative path forward for farmers and ranchers.
Our 2025 Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Our mission is to preserve, enhance, and expand the quality and quantity of grazing lands in Minnesota, and to enhance the profitability of the businesses that depend on them through education, technical assistance, and partnerships.
HARVEST SPONSOR
Technical and financial support for conservation practices.
BLOOM SPONSORS
A voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect our water. Certified producers receive many benefits including access to grant funds, technical assistance & recognition.
SAPLING SPONSORS
The mission of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is to enhance all Minnesotans' quality of life by ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.
SPROUT SPONSORS
A member-owned, Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities, we provide loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America.
Solar Electric (PV) System Design, Sales & Installation
Full-service ecological restoration company based in Minnesota, providing native live seed, plants and restoration landscape services.
A monthly publication with a focus on the managed grazing community, providing information for grazing operations.
A non-profit looking to support regenerative grazing in Minnesota.
A non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1958 to help members and the general public learn about farming and farm cooperatives.
SEED SPONSORS
