Ear to the Ground 275: Blurring the Bobolink Boundaries

How the Specht family is using rotational grazing, citizen science, and community collaboration to tear down the fence between the agricultural and avian worlds.

More Information:

• The Spechts have been featured in two books: Wildly Successful Farming and The Farm as Natural Habitat
• LSP’s Soil Health & Grazing Web Page
• Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation article on the Specht farm
• Ear to the Ground 200: Bovines, Biodiversity & Bobolinks

You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

**Phil Specht checking for birds on his farm in northeastern Iowa.** (*Photo Courtesy of Larry Stone*)

Upcoming Events

July 2025

Friday July 18

9:30 am – 2:30 pm: Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Lac qui Parle County
Friday July 18
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Lac qui Parle County
1174 295th Ave, Dawson, MN 56232
Details are here.

Tuesday July 22

9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Sartell

Tuesday July 22

9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Sartell

2611 17th St N, Sartell, MN 56377, USA

Details are here.

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Tuesday July 22

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms

Far North Spirits, 2045 220th Avenue, Hallock, MN 56728, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
Hear from a panel of local speakers.
Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.

For more information, click here.

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Agrivoltaics: Growing Forages & grain Crops

Tuesday July 22

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Agrivoltaics: Growing Forages & grain Crops

Online Webinar

This free webinar series is about cattle and sheep solar grazing and growing forages or grain crops under solar panels.

The practice of grazing livestock under solar panels has become increasingly popular. It is often referred to as agrivoltaics or solar grazing. This system involves the use of land for both solar energy production and livestock grazing or crop production. In this session, Sabrina Florentino will talk about forage production research and the Rauenhorst Farm Agrivoltaics Project on growing row crops under solar panels.

To register, click here.

Wednesday July 23

9:00 am – 2:30 pm: Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Villard
Wednesday July 23
9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: Villard
15290 127th St, Villard, MN 56385, USA
Details are here.

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