GrassWorks

Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit
2026-03-03 08:00 - 2026-03-04 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Willmar Conference Center, 240 23rd St SE, Willmar, Minnesota, 56201, United States
For 11 years, the Sustainable Farming Association has proudly hosted the Midwest Soil Health Summit, an educational event developed during a time when soil health was still a budding concept.

As the importance of soil health has become more widely recognized and soil health education more readily available, we are shifting the educational focus of the Summit and rebranding the event as the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit.

More than just a name change, this evolution acknowledges and celebrates the deep connection between soil and livestock in building thriving ecosystems and communities.

This new emphasis allows us to explore the dynamic harmony between grazing and soil health—together, they create a regenerative path forward for farmers and ranchers.

2026 Presenters include Dr. Temple Grandin, Keith Berns, Jared Luhman, Jason Cavadini, and more!

Registration coming soon! More information on keynote speakers and more here!

Farm Transition Course
2026-03-03 17:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-10 17:30 - 20:00
This winter, the Land Stewardship Project will be hosting their 2026 Farm Transition Planning Course, starting on January 27 and running through March 10. The deadline to register is January 9. This holistic course is offered online, and is scheduled for Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each week, attendees will be guided through the planning process by resource professionals, experienced landowners, and LSP staff, with time allocated for your direct questions.

The Farm Transition Planning Course can play a key role in developing your farm’s future. Whether you need to plan for the next generation of farmers on your land or simply begin the conversation about the next steps with your family, this course will help guide you through the process.

The registration deadline for the 2026 course is Friday, January 9, with the first day of the course on Tuesday, January 27. LSP only offers this course once per year and class size is limited, so sign-up now!

2026 Farm Transition Planning Course

WHEN: Tuesdays from January 27 to March 10TIME: 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. WHERE: OnlineWHAT: The focus will be on values and vision, financial and legal considerations, options for farm transitions, resources to guide the planning process, and communication tools. COST: $250 per farm family

Wisconsin Land & Water
2026-03-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Chula Vista Resort and Conference Center, Chula Vista Parkway 1000, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, 53965, United States
https://wisconsinlandwater.org/conservation/annual-conference

Beef Direct Marketing Workshops
2026-03-06 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-11 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-03-17 09:30 - 14:30
Workshops for Wisconsin farmers who are direct marketing beef, or considering it, will be held in four regional locations in the coming months. The workshops are offered by the Wisconsin Beef Council and are being held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. This will be an opportunity to network with fellow beef producers who are direct marketing, as well as the processors who play a key role in getting beef to consumers.

The workshops will begin with a classroom session and then move to a local processor for a carcass cutting demonstration. The dates and locations are as follows:

February 25 – Plum City. Morning session – American Legion, 132 Pine Ave E, Plum City. Afternoon session – JM Watkins, W2431 US-10, Maiden Rock

March 6 – Viroqua. Morning session – Sheriff’s Office Training Room, 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua, WI 54667. Afternoon session – Nordik Meats, E7342 Three Chimney Rd, Viroqua.

March 11 – Kaukauna. Morning session – Grand Stay Hotel, 1541 Arbor Way, Kaukauna, WI 54130. Afternoon session – Haen Meats, 600 County Hwy KK, Kaukauna.

March 17 – Clinton. Morning session – Boxcars, 108 Allen Street, Clinton. Afternoon session – Country Pride Meats, 109 Church St, Clinton, WI 53525.

Check-in of pre-registered attendees will begin at 9:15 am, and the program will start promptly at 9:45. Lunch will be offered at noon. Following lunch, attendees will travel to the processing plants for the cutting demonstration. The program will adjourn by 2:30 pm. There is a $25 registration fee, and space will be limited at each location to 30 participants.

Topics to be covered during the workshops include:

Carcass fabrication – watch a meat processor breakdown a half carcass, seeing how you get from primals to consumer-friendly cuts.

Easy to Use Marketing Tools – Kaitlyn Kesler with the Wisconsin Beef Council will share tips on free resources that can be used to create flyers, social media posts and other resources to help market your beef online, along with showcasing the recipes, cut charts and other resources available through the Beef Checkoff.

Licensing & Labeling Requirements – Whether your farm is looking to direct market quarters or halves or is ready to transition to retail sales of individual cuts of beef, this segment will bring you up to speed on the requirements for licensing and labeling. Speakers: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses Staff

Meating Consumer Expectations – UW-Madison Extension will discuss quality and yield grades, dressing percentage, understanding when cattle are finished, and considerations for animal size to match marketing plans. All these factors can affect consumer experience, expectations, and satisfaction.

Farmer-Processor-Customer Relations – a local meat processor will share tips on how to best communicate with those involved in the transaction, how to educate the consumer around pricing and cuts of beef, labeling and packaging options, and building the processor-farmer relationship.

Bull session – Bill Halfman, UW-Extension, will facilitate a group discussion covering topics like online sales, insurance, and collecting payments.

Direct Marketing Workshop

NW WI Graziers Network Winter Conference
2026-03-07 08:00 - 16:00 | UW-Eau Claire at Barron County, 1800 College Drive, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, 54868
Northwest Wisconsin Graziers Network, GrassWorks, Shell Lake-Yellow River Watershed Producer Led Council, and UW-Madison Extension would like to invite you to attend this year’s winter grazing conference in Rice Lake

This conference will continue our strong tradition of an informative and friendly networking environment to learn about beef herd planning, animal health care, nature’s way of grazing, livestock markets, economics of balage, workbook method for nutrient management, an update on bale grazing research, on-farm organic N production, and an afternoon workshop on fencing methods along with other helpful information. See agenda for more details.The conference should be of interest to new farmers, part-time or full-time operators, low-income startups, graziers or non-graziers alike. Several agency and commercial exhibitors will be available to network with throughout the day.Advance registration for the conference is due by Wednesday, March 4th, cost is only $20 and includes lunch, refreshments and materials. Late registration is $30. For credit card pre-registration go online to our webpage, nwgn.org.

Please call Lynn Johnson at 715-225-9882 with registration questions, or for more grazing and conference information.

Perennial Farm Gathering 2026
2026-03-11 08:00 - 2026-03-13 17:00 | Grand River Convention Center, 500 Bell St, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001
The Perennial Farm Gathering, Savanna Institute’s signature event, brings together a wide community of land stewards, farmers, and perennial enthusiasts. Over three days, folks gather to share work, research, and lessons learned in panels, workshops, deep dives, and nutshell overviews – all to advance perennial agriculture.

Learn more and register here!

GrassWorks + Ranching for Profit Workshop – CHIPPEWA FALLS
2026-03-13 08:30 - 16:00
GrassWorks is excited to welcome nationally respected RFP instructor and facilitator, John Locke, for two one-day workshops. Join us at one of these events to

Learn why economics should precede finance

Discover three key strategies to increase profits and identify the weak link to build a plan for growth

Discuss 5 key principles of grazing

Explore ecological processes and strategies to boost productivity, reduce workload, and increase profits

About the Instructor:John Locke is a 6th generation rancher from the Texas Gulf Coast and Instructor for The Ranching For Profit School. In this interactive workshop John will share principles that have the potential to help you build the farm or ranch you have always dreamed of!

$40 per person for non members, $30 per person for GrassWorks members*

Sign up to be a member here!

This workshop is brought to you at a reduced cost by GrassWorks with the support of a USDA GLCI grant and from generous donations from Wisconsin Farmers Union.

*GrassWorks members should use the code GWMEMBER at checkout to receive your discounted tickets!

Register Here

Heart of WI Grazing Conference
2026-03-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Lake View Conference Center, 1000 Lake View Dr, Wausau, Wisconsin, 54403
Join Us for the 32nd Annual Heart of Wisconsin Grazing Conference!

We’re excited to invite you to the 32nd Annual Heart of Wisconsin Grazing Conference on Friday, March 13th in Wausau! We have a great lineup of speakers planned and a full day of learning and connection ahead.

This year, we focused on bringing in more farmer speakers and building sessions around topics YOU suggested in last year’s surveys. There will be three session tracks—small ruminant, beef, and dairy grazing—so you can stick with what fits your operation or explore something new.

When: Friday, March 13 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM Where: Lake View Conference Center, 1000 Lake View Drive, Wausau, WI

Cost:• $20 adults (pre-registered)• $10 students or youth under 16 (pre-registered)• $25 adults at the door• $15 students or youth under 16 at the door

Register here: https://forms.gle/x32m19PFd7CqVzvc8

The full conference schedule will be shared soon, but registration is open now if you’d like to get a head start. We think it’ll be well worth your time and investment—hope to see you there!

Topics covered will include:

pasture management for beginning grazers

organic pasture management for beef and sheep

breeding small ruminants to fit your landscape

beef genetics with mineral and protein supplementation

weaning calves on pasture

utilizing NRCS programs for grazing operations

how to be a successful dairy grazer

grazing annuals and cover crops to balance out dairy forage production throughout the year!

GrassWorks + Ranching for Profit Workshop – MAUSTON
2026-03-14 08:30 - 16:00 | The Lodge at Mauston, 104 Lodge Lane, Mauston, Wisconsin, 53948, United States

Virtual Fence Meets Pasture Nutrition for Maximum Productivity
2026-03-17 11:00 - 12:00
Well‑managed pastures can deliver highly digestible, protein‑rich forage. Pasture alone rarely provides a perfectly balanced diet, especially for high‑producing dairy cows. What you choose to supplement with can dramatically influence milk yield, components, body condition, and even reproductive performance. Supplementation isn’t just “extra feed”-it’s how you correct the nutritional gaps that pasture creates.

Organic Rising Film Premiere
2026-03-21 14:00 - 17:30 | Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm, N130W294 Bryn Dr, Waukesha, Wisconsin, 53188
Join us for a special event featuring the award‑winning documentary Organic Rising, a feature-length film that demystifies organic agriculture by contrasting chemical-intensive farming with organic systems and unpacking what the USDA Organic label really means. Thanks to Wisconsin Farmers Union for sponsoring.We’ll gather at Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm in Waukesha for a screening of Organic Rising, an overview of the National Organic Program standards, and a full day of organic agriculture learning with local organic farmers and producers, presented in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union.

More information and register here!

Grazing Dairy Heifers & Planning with Topography
2026-03-24 09:30 - 15:00 | Schoepp Farms, N2007 E Harmon Rd., Lodi, WI, 53555, United States
GrassWorks G-Team meeting hosted with Glacierland RC&D! Ron Schoepp will speak about his custom dairy heifer operation. Socialize and enjoy an included lunch provided by Lodi Sausage Co. and Meat Market. Darren Yanke will give a tour and talk about his experience with steep topography and 2 years experience with virtual collars.

Stephanie Bowers with Gallagher will also be there to answer questions,REGISTER HERE

For more INFO: kelsey@glacierland.org

Grazing Dairy Heifers and Planning with Topography G-TEAM MEETING
2026-03-24 09:30 - 15:00
Ron Schoepp will speak about his custom dairy heifer operation. Socialize and enjoy an included lunch provided by Lodi Sausage Co. and Meat Market. Darren Yanke will give a tour and talk about his experience with steep topography and 2 years experience with virtual collars.

Stephanie Bowers with Gallagher will also be there to answer questions,REGISTER HERE

For more INFO: kelsey@glacierland.org

On-Farm Nitrogen Field Day - POSTPONED
2026-03-24 14:45 - 16:00

The Tailor Made Herd Intensive
2026-03-25 11:00 - 17:00 | The Commons, 401 E Jefferson St, Viroqua, Wisconsin, 54665, United States
Stop chasing cattle trends.

Start building cattle that thrive where YOU ranch.

If you’re tired of:

Buying bulls that don’t improve your herd

Watching fertility, soundness, and longevity decline

Selecting cattle that look good on paper but fall apart in real life

Spending more each year for less return

This workshop was built for you.

The Tailor-Made Herd Intensive is a rare, hands-on, ranch-tested experience designed to help you see, select, and manage cattle for real-world profitability. Not trends, not theory, and not someone else’s environment.

Selecting the Perfect Bull for Your Dairy Grazing System
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:00
Join Suzanne Nelson Karreman, manager of Reverence Farms, for an in-depth look at selecting genetics specifically for pasture-based success. Learn how to identify bulls that prioritize your grazing and production goals. Virtual event hosted by DGA. Learn more and register here!

Organic University: Mooving Toward Organic
2026-03-26 10:00 - 17:00 | Market on River by Wisconsin Farmers Union, 128 W River St, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 54729
Thinking about organic dairy, or already on the path? Don’t miss Marbleseed’s Organic University: Mooving Toward Organic, on March 26, 2026. This full-day dairy workshop is designed for both beginning organic dairy farmers and dairy farmers considering transitioning to an organic production system. Session will be led by industry experts and there will be plenty of time to connect with fellow farmers and ag professionals about individual operations.

Organic certification basics

Organic grazing and feed strategies

Transitional dairy production considerations

Free lunch !

Learn more and register here: https://marbleseed.salsalabs.org/ou_mooovingtoward/index.html or contact tay.fatke@marbleseed.org . The workshop is supported through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).

Agenda10:00 -10:30 Registration & Refreshments10:30 – 10:45 Welcome & Intros10:45 – 12:00 Certification basics12:00 – 1:00 Lunch1:00 – 2:30 Organic Feed Considerations (Breakout by Grass-focus and Grain focus)2:30 – 2:45 Break2:45 – 4:15 Support for Organic Dairies4:15-4:30 Break4:30 – 5:00 Wrap-up, Q&A

Sheep Lambing Workshop
2026-03-28 09:00 - 17:00 | Four Winds Farm, 5735 Adams Rd, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, 53575, United States
Four Winds Farm will host a full‑day Sheep Lambing Workshop on March 28 in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This immersive, hands‑on learning experience is designed for both new and experienced shepherds seeking to improve their lambing knowledge, confidence, and on‑farm success.

The workshop will be led by Carolyn Ihde, Small Ruminant Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, along with Dr. Kelly Froelich, representing the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Young Entrepreneurs Education (YEE) program. Through their collaboration, participants will have access to possibly the only sheep dystocia training models available to US producers. This specialized simulation tool is used to teach producers how to assist a ewe with a range of lambing complications

Throughout the day, attendees will learn about:

Best practices in biosecurity, animal health, and nutrition

Essential lambing supplies and barn preparation

The phases of lambing and how to recognize when assistance is needed

Effective lamb processing techniques

Hands‑on practice pulling lambs from a life‑size ewe replica

Four Winds Farm maintains a well‑managed flock of Cheviot and Tunis sheep and has collaborated with Ihde to plan this workshop to align with the flock’s lambing schedule, creating the possibility for participants to witness real‑time lambing during the event. The farm has also worked closely with Ihde to implement research‑based flock management practices aimed at improving lambing outcomes and overall flock health.

This engaging workshop provides a supportive environment for learning, questions, and skill‑building—ideal for small-flock owners, aspiring shepherds, youth project leaders, and anyone interested in expanding their sheep-management capabilities.

Central WI G-team meeting
2026-03-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Golden Sands RC&D Office, 1100 Main St, Suite 140, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 54481
Agricultural professionals — this meeting is for you! GrassWorks Central WI G-team meeting hosted by Golden Sands RC&D!

Topics include:Mapping with QGISQGIS tips and tricksQGIS Q&A and hands on help (bring your laptop!)TSP certificationContracting/funding plansTSP tips and tricks for writing grazing plansREGISTER HERE

For more INFO: grazing@goldensandsrcd.org or call (715) 343-6215

Pasture-based Beef Enterprise Calculator Webinar
2026-03-30 16:00 - 17:00
Proving that grass works using the Pasture-based Beef Enterprise Calculator

Join GrassWorks and Farm Viability Specialist John Hendrickson in a detailed tour of the new Pasture-based Beef Enterprise Calculator. This powerful (and free!) decision support tool is structured to examine the financial returns and land requirements of beef production in typical segments or phases of the industry: cow-calf, stocker, finishing, and direct sale of meat. It can be used to look at only one segment or any combination. In addition to calculating the return in each phase on a per animal basis, the user can generate a 5-year financial forecast and estimate land requirements by entering hypothetical data on how herd numbers will change from year-to-year. Participants will learn to use this tool and the importance of planning, enterprise accounting, and record keeping and be inspired to improve their farm financial management.

John Hendrickson is with the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems where he coordinates research and outreach programs in the area of farm financial management and farm financial benchmarking.

Register here! for the webinar

Dodge County Planting Clinic
2026-03-31 09:00 - 15:00 | Universal Co-op, N1054 County Road R, Watertown, Wisconsin, 53098
Topics of Discussion:

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Talks about Soil with Robert Bird & Paul Davidson

10:15 a.m. – Noon (12 p.m.) – Planting into Covers with Joey Heneghan (WI Field Agronomist from Beck’s Seed)

Noon -12:30 p.m. – Lunch

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Planter Specialist Clayton Stufflebeam (PFR Agronomist Planter Specialist)

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Drone Applicator from Creek Bend Farms – John Pernat

More info here!

Farm Transitions: Holding Ground, Letting Go
2026-03-31 10:00 - 14:00 | Green Lake American Legion, American Legion Post 306, 518 Water St, Green Lake, Wisconsin, 54941
A guided approach to farm transition and legacy.

Holding Ground, Letting Go offers farmland owners a supportive space to talk through one of the hardest parts of farming: deciding what comes next for the land you care so deeply about.This workshop uses guided conversation to help you reflect on your connection to the land, clarify what matters most to you, and explore realistic options for transition at your own pace.

You’ll be met where you are—whether you feel ready, unsure, or conflicted—and supported in thinking through small, practical next steps that align with your values, your family or operation, and your hopes for the future of the land. Your farm transition planning journey will begin with two in-person workshops—February 24 and March 31—followed by ongoing individualized support from trained farm transition coordinators.

Free to participate. Register here

Direct Market Roundtable
2026-04-06 11:30 - 12:30
Direct marketing through on-farm stores, farmers’ markets, or CSAs can be extremely successful. Whether you’re already established or just starting to look at the logistics of direct market sales, there is no substitute for peer-to-peer intelligence. We’re forming a cohort of graziers to swap successful sales strategies, troubleshoot the logistics that didn’t go as planned, and build a collective knowledge base that keeps us all competitive. If you’re looking to sharpen your retail operation or simply want to learn from those who have already navigated this, your perspective is welcome!

Virtual event! More info and register here!

Sheep Grazing Pasture Walk
2026-04-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Pela Farm and Fiber, N9000 Kamrath Rd, Mayville, Wisconsin, 53050
Come play in the mud! Learn more about spring mud season management, designing new systems, and working around critical and sensitive areas on a new sheep farm. We will hear about how Bree and Steffen transitioned 15 acres of row crops to perennial pasture for sheep! More info and register here!

Soil Health Field Day - Columbia County
2026-04-15 13:00 - 17:00 | Harvey Miller Jr. Farm, W5423 MILITARY ROAD, Pardeeville, Wisconsin, 53954
JOIN US FOR THE COLUMBIA COUNTY SOIL HEALTH FIELD DAY AT HARVEY MILLER JR. FARM IN PARDEEVILLE. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. A LIGHT DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED AFTERWARDS.

TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE FIELD DAY:

Manure Management

Proper handling of livestock waste is essential for environmental protection. This section covers safe storage and responsible spreading practices.

Nitrogen Management

Planning application rates and timing helps protect human health while reducing on-farm costs as excess nitrogen can contaminate well water.

Nutrient Management Planning

A nutrient management plan ensures manure and fertilizer are applied at appropriate rates. Learn how to build and maintain a plan that supports crop needs and reduces nutrient loss.

Phosphorus in Agricultural Water Environments (Streams, Ponds, and Lakes)

Phosphorus from agricultural runoff—primarily fertilizer and manure leads to toxic algal blooms, severe oxygen depletion, and fish kills.

Soil Health Principles

Healthy soil is the foundation of productive farming. Hear about the five key principles that support long-term soil function and resilience.

The Nitty Gritty Logistics of Shipping Frozen Meat
2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s get into the real logistics of shipping frozen meat for small- to mid-scale farms. Josh Morrison of Earnest Roots Farm in Alabama and Phil Bianci of Autumn’s Harvest Farm in New York have hands-on experience building and running state-wide shipping systems from the ground up. We’ll talk about calculating shipping costs, packing with dry ice, choosing your packaging, navigating logistical challenges, and more.

This Lowdown is for anyone considering shipping for the first time or looking to refine their systems. In addition to in-state shipping, Josh and Phil will also share other regional distribution approaches they’ve tried–like freezer drops and same-day delivery systems–for more ideas for small farms with limited capacity.

Learn more about this free webinar and other offerings from Good Meat Project here.

Spring Bale Grazing Management: Pasture Walk at Richardson Farm
2026-04-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Richardson Farm, N641 Sorenson Road, Waupaca, Wisconsin, 54403, United States
April 17th 10am – 1pmN641 Sorenson Road, Waupaca, WI 54981

Come out and join us for demonstrations and discussion on spring management and pasture recovery after bale grazing.

Topics include:-Thatch treatment with Einböck implement-No-TIll Drill application, use, and calibration-Mud season management-Bale grazing tips-Resources and support for grazing operationsEnjoy refreshments with fellow graziers, learn, and explore strategies to improve bale feeding and pasture management.

FREE event. RSVPs appreciated: GoldenSandsRCDc.org/events or Grazing@goldensandsrcd.org or 715-343-6215
