pasture-based livestock

A Sense of Where You Are: Red Dresses & Magic Management

Part 1 in a Series

Note: This is the 1st installment in the 11-part “A Sense of Where You Are” series.  One of the ways Rachelle and Jordan Meyer keep things in context is to avoid being distracted by what they call “the woman in the red dress.” Is a new enterprise a good fit for the farm, or is its…  Read More

A Sense of Where You Are: In the Blood

Part 2 in a Series

Note: This is the 2nd installment in the 11-part “A Sense of Where You Are” series.  History is a critical piece of context. All too often, farming practices are carried out without taking into consideration past practices and their subsequent impact. Regenerative farmers often say they are “listening to the land” when making management decisions. Chemicals,…  Read More

A Sense of Where You Are: Forest for the Trees

Part 4 in a Series

Note: This is the 4th installment in the 11-part “A Sense of Where You Are” series.  Grazing livestock have been described as “combines that poop.” That’s an accurate, if somewhat graphic, depiction of how moving cattle and other animals through well-managed paddocks can rebuild soil that’s been decimated by tillage, chemical use, and compaction. Langdon…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 357: Against the Grain

As farmers from across the region haul corn past Allen and Kathleen Deutz’s farm to the local ethanol plant, they can’t help but notice fences, livestock, and a diversity of plants. What’s not as immediately evident is how this counter- intuitive way of farming is building long-term soil health and resilience. More Information • LSP’s Soil Health Web Page…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 349: Family, Farming & Forages

Since taking over their family’s livestock operation, Parker and Sam Beard have added a few new twists. But one thing will never change: those hills will remain in grass. More Information • LSP’s Grazing & Soil Health Web Page • LSP’s Farm Transitions Tools Web Page • Iowa Organic Association You can find LSP Ear…  Read More

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. (Fifth and last episode in a series on LSP’s 2024 Grazing School.) More Information • 4th in…  Read More

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. (Third episode in a series on LSP’s 2024 Grazing School.) More Information • 5th in the Grazing School Podcast Series: “Pasture Pixie Dust” • 4th in the Grazing School Podcast Series: “Grazing’s Generational…  Read More

Workshop on ‘3 Secrets for Increasing Farm Profit’ March 23 in Red Wing

RED WING, Minn. — Improving your farm business takes rolling up your sleeves and getting to work — not just IN your business, but ON it too. A “3 Secrets for Increasing Farm Profit” workshop featuring Ranch Management Consultants expert Dave Pratt will be held Thursday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 277: 3 Regenerative Rules

Allen Williams asks, “What is a weed?” and lays out the three rules of adaptive stewardship. 2nd of 4 episodes in a series: Episode 1 Episode 3 Episode 4 More Information: Allen Williams will be presenting on two southeastern Minnesota farms Aug. 17-18, 2022. For details and to register, click here. LSP’s Soil Health Web Page Understanding Ag…  Read More

Ear to the Ground 276: Why Regenerative Ag?

Allen Williams believes that farming in nature’s image isn’t just a nice idea, it’s an agricultural/ecological imperative. 1st of 4 episodes in a series: Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 More Information: Allen Williams will be presenting on two southeastern Minnesota farms Aug. 17-18, 2022. For details and to register, click here. LSP’s Soil Health Web Page Understanding Ag…  Read More