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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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July 2025

Wednesday July 9

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Wednesday July 9
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LSP Lewiston Office Summer Potluck Lunch
Land Stewardship Project, 180 E Main St, Lewiston, MN 55952, USA

Spring planting is behind us and midsummer is upon us! Take a quick break from all the action by celebrating summer with the Land Stewardship Project by joining us for lunch at our Lewiston office.

Our Summer Potluck will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 2 p.m., at our office in downtown Lewiston, Minn. (180 E. Main Street). This will be an opportunity to build community, hear from other farmers, socialize, and enjoy a great meal together. We also invite everyone to take a self-guided tour of the newly renovated spaces in our office that we have been working on over the winter. As a member-driven organization, this is your space too.

LSP will be providing the main dish (meat and vegetarian options) and we invite you to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to all, so please bring a friend or two as well. Let’s celebrate the joy of summer through good food and good company!

RSVP’s are encouraged, but not required. Hope to see you there — you can RSVP by e-mailing LSP’s Alex Romano direct.

Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

Tuesday July 15

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
Tuesday July 15
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
Wednesday July 16
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
27092 Co Rd 8, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA

Details here.

Thursday July 17

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
Thursday July 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
518 30th Ave, Jasper, MN 56182

Details are here.

View Full Calendar

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  • U.S. Supreme Court’s Decline of Iowa Case Bolsters Local Control July 2, 2025
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Lewiston, MN 55952

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Minneapolis, MN 55407

(612) 722-6377

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