Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit
March 19 & 20, 2025
Willmar Conference Center
Willmar, Minnesota
Summit Speakers & Features
Highlights include:
Keynote Speaker 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. Based in Idaho’s Big Lost Valley, he advises on irrigated pastures, native rangelands, and high-rainfall livestock systems.
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.
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!
Breakout sessions like:
- Foundations in Graze Planning with Anneliese Walker
- NRCS Conservation Practices & Program Overview with Jeff Duchene
- Emerging Technologies in Grazing: the Potential of Virtual Fence with Margaret Chamas
- McRae Land & Livestock: Building a Systematized Regenerative Farm with Brett McRae
...and more to be announced!
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.
Registration & Getting There
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.
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.
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.
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
SPROUT SPONSORS
SEED SPONSORS
