All grazing photographs on this page were provided courtesy of Elisabeth Spratt.
Why Regenerative Grazing? | Schedule | Cost | About the Presenters |
Refund Policy | COVID 19 Safety Plan
Have you herd?
Regenerative grazing can build healthy soils and support farm profitability.
Are you,
- a beef producer hoping to improve your environmental and economic outcomes?
- a row crop farmer looking for a herd to graze your cover crops, or looking to add livestock into your rotation?
- a landowner exploring additional revenue streams?
Then join us for an interactive online series that will provide you with a broad understanding of the ins and outs of regenerative grazing. In this 3-part online series, you will learn from Kent Solberg of the Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association and local Illinois graziers, Jill Vonder Haar and Jim Isermann, as they provide their own experiences with regenerative grazing and explain the science to back it up.
Are you a certified crop advisor? This series has been approved for 3 CEUs in Soil and Water Management & Conservation.
Download the event flyer here.
WHY REGENERATIVE GRAZING?
Regenerative grazing can enhance soil health and reduce nutrient loss while supporting farm profitability. This differs from continuous grazing by regularly moving livestock to create a more even distribution of manure throughout the pasture, providing fertility to the land, and allowing it time to rest and regenerate. This type of grazing is well-suited for Illinois because it can:
- provide an additional revenue stream to farmers and landowners;
- provide opportunities to grain farmers to integrate livestock into their rotations by grazing fallow fields and cover crops; and
- improve soil health and water quality.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 11, 2021 | 9:00am – 10:30am | Online
The WHY: What is Regenerative Grazing?
→ Practice: what is it and how does it differ from continuous grazing
→ Exploring multiple benefits: environment, soil health, profitability, and producer goals
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | 9:00am – 10:30am | Online
The HOW: The Nuts and Bolts of Regenerative Grazing on the Farm
→ The tools: paddocks, fencing, and water
→ Forage basics: diversity and nutrition
→ Grazing cover crops
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 9:00am – 10:00am | Online
Ask Me Anything!
→ Join Kent and IL grazier presenters to ask your burning questions!
April 2021 | Date & Location TBA
On-Farm Field Day
This field day will be held on a farm in the Embarras Watershed (East-Central or Southeastern Illinois), pending COVID conditions. We anticipate announcing more details about the field day by February 2021.
COST
Online Series: $30
On-farm Field Day: $30*
Online Series + On-farm Field Day: $50**
*Registration will open in early 2021 when more details are available
**A coupon code will be made available for those wishing to later add on the field day to their online series registration
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
LEAD PRESENTER
Kent Solberg, Livestock and Grazing Specialist, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
Kent and his wife Linda own and operate an award-winning dairy farm in northwestern Minnesota. Kent has a B.S. degree from the University of Montana and an M.S. from South Dakota State. He has been involved in planned grazing, fencing and pasture based livestock systems for over 25 years. For the past 13 years he has worked with cover crops and seeded annuals to integrate livestock into cropping systems and build soil health. He has worked with hundreds of farms over the years and served as a college instructor teaching regenerative agricultural principles and practices. Kent currently serves as the Senior Technical Advisor for the Sustainable Farming Association, a consultant with Understanding Ag, and Master Grazier with Dairy Grazing Apprenticeships.
ILLINOIS GRAZIER PRESENTERS
Jill Vonder Haar, Main Street Pastures
Jill runs Main Street Pastures with her husband, Chad, and their four children. They pasture-raise cattle, pigs, goats, lambs, chickens, and turkeys on nearly 30 acres just east of St. Rose, Illinois.
Jim Isermann, Isermann Farms, Inc.
The Isermann family has been farming near Streator, IL since 1851. Traditionally a row crop operation, the Isermanns looked to beef cattle as an opportunity that might help them grow and diversify their family farm. The Isermanns work 900 acres in Livingston and LaSalle Counties; around 120 of those acres are in permanent forage with a rotational grazing system.
REFUND POLICY
If you are no longer able to attend these events and need to cancel your registration, please contact us at 217-840-2128.
Online Series:
- Cancellations before January 25 will receive a full refund minus a $5 processing fee
- Cancellations on January 25 – February 4 will receive a 50% refund
On-farm Field Day:
- Cancellations made up to one week in advance of the event will receive a full refund minus a $5 processing fee
- Cancellations made within one week of the event will receive a 50% refund
- In the event that we need to cancel this on-farm field day due to COVID-19, all registrants will receive a 100% refund.
COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN
All field day attendees are expected to follow current CDC safety guidelines. Mask-wearing and physical distancing will be enforced. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available for your use. Attendance will be limited based on current CDC guidance to create a safe environment.
This program is a collaboration of The Land Connection, the Pasture Project, University of Illinois Extension, and the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District. It is made possible through the generous support of the Lumpkin Family Foundation.
