LEWISTON, Minn. — A field day focused on successfully raising grass-fed beef and building soil health through managed rotational grazing will be held Tuesday, July 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Mike and Jennifer Rupprechts’ Earth-Be-Glad Farm, 18828 County Road 20, in Lewiston. Registration for this free Land Stewardship Project (LSP) event will begin at 4:30 p.m., with a potluck dinner from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. RSVP to LSP’s Sarah Fillius at 507-523-3366 or sfillius@landstewardshipproject.org.

Mike and Jennifer Rupprecht have nearly 30 years of experience with managed rotational grazing. Their 275-acre farm sells 100 percent grass-fed beef (about 70 head/year) and organic-fed, free-range chicken and eggs, as well as organic grains, soybeans and corn. Their system of carefully managed rotational grazing creates pastures and forages that provide their ruminants with everything they need. Hallmarks of their system include soil regeneration, increased biodiversity and erosion prevention.

During the field day and pasture walk, the Rupprechts will share how they started grazing, the goals that drive their farm, and the keys to what has worked for their grazing operation since making significant changes to their farm in the 1990s. They will also address how to get started in rotational grazing and share the systems they use to fence in their paddocks and water their cattle. On the pasture walk, they’ll share observations about their pastures, cattle and soil health with hands-on demonstrations.

“We’re not high-input on our pastures,” said Mike Rupprecht. “Not much for seed or fertilizer or mowing — just making sure they get the right amount of rest periods.”

“Every time I go over to the Rupprechts’ farm and see their lush pastures, I get a bad case of pasture envy,” said Winona area grazier Doug Nopar. “Come to the field day and see for yourself.”

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