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Driftless Grazing

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Grazing School Podcast Series

LSP has developed a series of Ear to the Ground podcasts featuring 2024 Driftless Grazing School presenters and participants:

Ear to the Ground 346: Pasture Pixie Dust

The NRCS’s Jeff Duchene has set up grazing plans in 50 Minnesota counties, and has yet to find that proverbial “magic grass.” But he’s more convinced than ever that good management and good planning are their own kind of silver bullet.

Ear to the Ground 345: Grazing’s Generational Jump

Rick Matt was flat on his back when it became evident how he and his son, Damien, could build an intergenerational farming operation based on soil health, diversity, and grazing.

Ear to the Ground 344: Flerd is the Word

Poor soil, short growing seasons, and little infrastructure: beginning farmer George Heller is proving that a successful grazing operation doesn’t require optimal conditions.

Ear to the Ground 343: Healthy Soil Vs. Plastic Worms

Clifford Johnson calls himself an “honest regenerative hypocrite,” which says a lot about his approach to building soil health on his family’s crop and livestock farm.

Ear to the Ground 342: Ignoring the Red Dress

Wholesome Family Farms is known for juggling enough enterprises to overwhelm even the most ambitious farmer. But Rachelle Meyer says a “three-legged stool” strategy keeps them balanced.

Ear to the Ground 313: Walking & Talking

A pasture walk on the Nikki and Cody Meyer farm shows the value of farmer-to-farmer learning.

2024 LSP Driftless Grazing School

In June 2024, the Land Stewardship Project held a two-day Grazing School in the rolling Driftless Region of southeastern Minnesota. This in-depth training session was hosted by Jordan and Rachelle Meyer, and included a cohort of regional grazing leaders. Graziers gathered to take their skills to the next level via comprehensive, hands-on sessions.

Topics included:

  • Soil health & biology
  • Understanding your context
  • Pasture establishment
  • Observation & soil skills
  • Multi-species grazing
  • Fencing for multiple species
  • Watering systems
  • Managing for diversity in changing conditions
  • Small-scale farming economics
  • Technical assistance pointers (i.e. NRCS programs like EQIP)

Speakers:

  • Jordan & Rachelle Meyer — Own and operate Wholesome Family Farms, a diversified, regenerative grazing farm where they raise dairy cows, goats, sheep, grass-fed beef, raw milk, and more. They prioritize profitability while fostering a love for farming, and are committed to leaving the land better than they found it. The Meyers are constantly innovating and trying new techniques.
  • George Heller — Central Minnesota multi-species grazier.
  • Clifford Johnson — Clifford farms 2,000 organic acres and grazes 270 animal units near Paynesville, Minn., with his wife, Heidi, and daughter, Sherlyn, plus his parents and brother.
  • Jeff Duchene — State grazing specialist for the Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Jeff has worked with NRCS for over 15 years as a grazing specialist. During that time, he has worked with producers across the state on planning to improve grazing management.
  • Nikki Meyer — Nikki is growing her farm to be financially and intentionally simple while also being eco-friendly and a profitable business. Nikki and Cody, along with their family, run a small, conventional farm where they raise beef, corn, soybeans, and forages.
  • Zach Knutson — Zach Knutson has a master’s degree in agricultural and applied economics from Virginia Tech. He operates a diversified farm near Zumbrota, Minn., with his fiancé, Brooke, where they focus on combining grazing livestock with perennials.

Livestock Rotation Video

During the Grazing School, Jordan and Rachelle Meyer demonstrated how they move their sheep flock between paddocks. Grazier Nikki Meyer captured the demonstration with this dramatic drone footage.

Contact

Alex Romano, LSP, e-mail; 641-220-6000.

Upcoming Events

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September 2025

Thursday September 11

9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Soil Health & Small Grains Field Day
Thursday September 11
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Soil Health & Small Grains Field Day
23005 Lewiston Blvd, Hampton, MN 55031, USA

Join us for an in-field learning experience focused on soil health and small grains. This hands-on event is designed for conservation professionals in the morning, and farmers in the afternoon for those looking to expand their knowledge of assessing soil health, managing a third crop, and soil productivity principles. You are welcome to attend both sessions. Farmers will have discussions with experts in small grains, soil health, and more— with lunch included. Hear from local farmers, including Andy Linder, Ed McNamara, Mike Lindquist, and Chuck Clanton. The event flier is available here.

For more information and to register, click here.

Friday September 12 – Saturday September 13

Forage Council Grazing School
Friday September 12 – Saturday September 13
Forage Council Grazing School

The Forage Council Grazing School will cover the why, what, how, and who of grazing, taking grazing to the next level. This is a two-day event. Lunch provided both days, along with a Friday evening meal at the Community Center in Verndale.

For details and to register, click here.

Friday September 12

9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Can Farmers Make a Profit? Field Day & Seminar
Friday September 12
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Can Farmers Make a Profit? Field Day & Seminar
Carpenter Community Center, 508 William St, Carpenter, IA 50426, USA

This event will feature discussions about raising non-GMO and organic corn and soybeans, as well as cover crops. There will be a soil pit demonstration and a discussion about the pros and cons of tillage. A field plot tour is included. Lunch is provided. Presenters include Tom Cotter and Gilbert Hostetler. To reserve a spot, call or text Mervin Beachy at 641-381-0054. For details, check out this flier.

Tuesday September 16

9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chicken Processing Workshop
Tuesday September 16
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Chicken Processing Workshop
14882 255th Ave, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085, USA

Join the SFA to learn how to process your own chickens at home. At this workshop, participants will actually be processing 35-40 chickens from start to finish, and they will learn how to kill, scald, pluck, and eviscerate the chickens. Each attendee will have the opportunity to perform the complete process with instructor help on several birds. 

Details are here. 

Wednesday September 17

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Grazing for Invasive Species Management in Oak Savannas
Wednesday September 17
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Grazing for Invasive Species Management in Oak Savannas
Myre-Big Island State Park, 19499 780th Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007, USA

For details on this workshop, click here.

View Full Calendar

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