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‘How Grazing Brought a Ranch Back to Life’ in MN Feb. 1-4

Events to Focus on Utilizing Soil Building Practices to Manage for Drought & High Input Costs

January 5, 2022

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LEWISTON, Minn. — Cattle producer Alejandro Carrillo will tell the story of how he has used regenerative grazing to build soil health and bring his ranch back to life during a series of Land Stewardship Project presentations in Minnesota the first week of February. The events will be held Feb. 1 in Willmar, Minn., Feb. 2 in St. Charles, Minn., Feb. 3, in Mazeppa, Minn., and via Zoom on Feb. 4. Presentations by local farmers, small group discussions and a time for questions will be part of the day’s programming at each event. The cost to attend is $10 per person and children are free. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Land Stewardship Project by Jan. 28 by calling 507-523-3366, e-mailing bsognfrank@landstewardshipproject.org, or visiting https://landstewardshipproject.org/grazing.

Carrillo’s Las Damas Ranch is located in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert, about 250 miles south of El Paso, Texas. It consists of 30,000 acres, 25,000 of which are grazable. The entire ranch is operated as a dryland operation with no irrigated meadows, and the terrain consists of valleys with rugged canyons, mesas and mountains, all located within the Sierra Madre Range. No hay is produced on the ranch as cattle are expected to graze year-round.

Using regenerative grazing techniques, during the past several years Carrillo has increased the ranch’s water infiltration rate to between 18 and 20 inches per-hour; the neighboring ranch has an infiltration rate of only two inches per-hour.

“A crucial aspect of growing grass in the desert is the increased microbial stimulation resulting from the large grazing ruminants and the fertility they apply through their manure and urine,” said Carrillo. “This fertility helps stimulate the soil biology and, in return, stimulates the growth of new grasses from the latent seed bank.”

The story of how Las Damas used soil healthy systems to create resilient grazing lands has been lauded by soil experts such as Ray Archuleta.

“Years ago, I had no hope for the healing of agriculture and the land. But, now I do,” said Archuleta. “With my own eyes…I have seen desert, once again, becoming a grassland. Alejandro and a group of determined ranchers are beacons of ecological healing and hope.”

These grazing events are being c-sponsored by various local organizations. For a complete list, see landstewardshipproject.org/grazing. The Land Stewardship Project is committed to creating an environment that follows COVID-19 safety best practices and balances in-person interaction and learning. A mask mandate will be in place for these events and event attendees will be required to sign a waiver. LSP in-person events are subject to change based on guidelines set by state departments of health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For details, see https://landstewardshipproject.org/covid-lsp.

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Las Damas Ranch
Category: News Releases
Tags: Alejandro Carrillo • beef • grazing • LSP Soil Builders' Network • soil health • water

Contact

• Shona Snater, LSP, e-mail, 507-523-3366
• Barb Sogn-Frank, e-mail, 507-523-3366

Photo Available

For a photo of Alejandro Carrillo, contact Snater or Sogn-Frank.

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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