GrassWorks

Central WI Graziers Winter Meeting
2025-02-12 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Golden Sands RC&D Office, 1100 Main St, Suite 140, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 54481
Come and gather with us this winter to connect with fellow graziers, enjoy a warm meal, and hear from Serge Koenig, Conservation Technician of the Sauk County Land Conservation Department. This is also the Kick-off for Managing Your Green, our upcoming Farm Finance Series for graziers.

Questions? Call Brooke at 715-343-6215, Ext 709 or email grazing@goldensandsrcd.org.

Cattle and Sheepdog Training Clinic
2025-02-01 09:00 - 2025-02-02 17:00 (America/Chicago) | JB Ranch, W6856 Christie Ct, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, 53538, United States
23rd Annual Cattle and Sheep Dog Training Clinic with instructor Jack Knox

Open to stock dog owners, stock owners, and dogs of all training levels. Spectators and auditors Welcome!

Jack Knox is a two time National Sheepdog Champion, 2012 Reserve National Champion, and a Hall of Fame ABCA breeder. Originally from Scotland, Jack currently lives in Missouri with his wife and daughter where they operate an extensive stock dog and sheep farm. Jack’s training philosophy allows dogs to “think” by “Making the right easy, and the wrong difficult.” His method allows dogs to progress quickly. Handlers will benefit not only from participation with their own dog, but from watching and listening to how Jack applies his method to a variety of dogs at a variety of levels on a variety of stock.

This clinic is limited to 14 working dogs and each dog will work twice each day. Available openings are filled upon receipt of a completed registration form along with full payment on a first received basis. Checks will be cashed on January 20, 2025. The cost of this 2-day clinic is $285 for WWSDA members, $320 for non-members. There is unlimited spectator & auditor space at $40 per person for one day, $60 for two days, and does not require advance registration.

Click Here for to print the PDF to register for the event

GrassWorks Grazing Conference
2025-01-23 11:00 - 2025-01-25 14:00 UTC | Chula Vista Resort and Conference Center, Chula Vista Parkway 1000, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, 53965, United States
This year’s GrassWorks Grazing Conference promises an impressive lineup of sessions, networking opportunities, and delectable meals showcasing grass-fed meats and locally sourced foods—exactly what our attendees and sponsors have come to love!

Building Resiliency in Today's Ag Climate
2024-12-10 09:00 - 15:00 UTC | UW Whitewater Community Engagement Center, West Main Street 1260, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 53190, United States
Moderated by Pam Jahnke

Small Group Breakouts

Farmer Panel Discussions

Networking Opportunites

Lunch featuring locally produced food

More registration information available soon.

Made possible by Farmers for Lake Country, Farmers on the Rock, Biological Farmer Friends, Jefferson Co. Soil Builders, Glacierland RC&D, Rock River Graziers, UW Extension

Tap Talks
2024-11-17 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Central Waters Brewing, Allen Street 351, Amherst, Wisconsin, 54406, United States
Golden Sands RC&D’s Tap Talks pair Central Waters craft brews with conservation discussions guided by our educated professionals. Happening the 3rd Sundays of the month, Nov – May at 4pm.

Stockpiling to Extend the Grazing Season
2024-11-09 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Marshfield Ag Research Station, 208356 Drake Avenue, Stratford, WI, 54484, United States
Hosted by Marathon County Dept of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning
Stockpiling to Extend the Grazing Season @ Nigon Family Farm
Saturday, November 9th, 4-6 PM ~ 102813 Century Rd, Spencer, WI
Sam Nigon grazes Angus cow-calf pairs. We will discuss stock-piling forage, winter prep, and bale grazing set-up.
Contact Brooke Bembeneck with questions at (715) 370-9651 or Brooke.Bembeneck@co.marathon.wi.us.
All pasture walks are free and family-friendly.
Water, milk, and cookies available!
Check out the Marathon County Clover Belt Grazing Community Facebook page for event info as the dates get closer.

Virtual Fencing & Cover Crop Grazing Pasture Walk
2024-11-08 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Golden Sands RC&D

Virtual Fencing & Cover Crop Grazing Pasture Walk @ Wepner Farms

Friday, November 8th, 12pm to 2pm – E7817 County Rd N, Manawa, WI 54949

Join Golden Sands at Wepner Farms to see how they are using e-collars as virutal fencing and how grazing cover crops has extended their grazing season.

Event is free, no RSVP required

Questions? Call 715.343.6215 or email grazing@goldensandsrcd.org

Small-Scale Sheep & Cattle Pasture Walk
2024-11-06 16:00 - 18:30 UTC | 8962 Center Rd, Center Road 8962, Neenah, Wisconsin, 54956, United States
Ross Thompson, his wife and 4 kids raise a flock of sheep, in addition to Highland cattle on 17ac in Winnebago County.

JOIN US to LEARN about how Ross effectively stock-piles forage to graze well into the winter months. He also has an innovative winter-watering system without a frost-free waterer that works for the sheep and cattle.

Get ideas that may work for your small (or bigger) grazing operation!

RSVP to Rachel Bouressa at rachelbouressa@gmail.com or call 608.228.6617

FEED Summit
2024-10-28 08:00 - 2024-10-29 18:30 UTC | Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, West Walnut Street 325, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212, United States
What is the FEED Initiative?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension, Community Food Systems Program’s Food Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (FEED) Initiative is a statewide program that promotes food entrepreneurship training and network development for value-added producers and individuals facing structural barriers to food entrepreneurship.

What is the FEED Summit?

Taking place on October 28-29 in Milwaukee, WI, and the FEED Summit is a collaboration between business support organizations across Wisconsin to foster supportive learning opportunities for early-stage food and farming entrepreneurs. The FEED Summit is a two day event, held in-person, and full of learning, networking, and marketing opportunities for Wisconsin food and farming entrepreneurs. The schedule includes a keynote address, 24 break-out sessions, 8 networking sessions, legal office hours, business consulting, exhibition hall sessions, amazing local food, and local food tours.

FEED Summit is the only statewide conference in Wisconsin for early-stage Food and Farming Businesses.The FEED Summit is on October 28-29, 2024, at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (325 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53212).

Join us for business workshops, networking sessions, great local food, and field trips to Milwaukee food businesses!

Pasture Walk with Roger Bindl: Extend Grazing Season with Cover Crops
2024-10-24 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | S10620 Weidner Rd, Weidner Road, Spring Green, Wisconsin, 53588, United States
Hosted by Sauk County
Learn how to use cover crops to extend your grazing season. Winter feeding is the #1 expense for raising livestock, reducing winter feeding days by using cover crops is a practical way of lowering this expense.
Sauk County Pasture Walks

Pasture Walk with Matt Dalhberg: Improving Paddock Productivity
2024-10-22 15:30 - 17:30 UTC | 54500 Snyder Rd, Snyder Road, Gays Mills, Wisconsin, 54631, United States
Hosted by Great River Graziers
Matt Dahlberg(608) 412-0109
Improving paddock productivity for maximum performance of replacement heifers.
Great River Graziers Pasture Walks

Winter Prep for Multi-Species @ Morning Star Meadow Family Farm
2024-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | 162042 Townline Rd, Townline Road, Wausau, Wisconsin, 54403, United States
Hosted by Marathon County Dept of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning
Saturday, October 5th, 10AM-12PM ~ 162042 Townline Road, Wausau, WI, 54403
Jean Block will share how to prep for winter on a multi-species grazing operation.
Contact Brooke Bembeneck with questions at (715) 370-9651 or Brooke.Bembeneck@co.marathon.wi.us.
All pasture walks are free and family-friendly.
Water, milk, and cookies available!
Check out the Marathon County Clover Belt Grazing Community Facebook page for event info as the dates get closer.

After the Farm: Meat Processing Training for Farmers
2024-10-01 08:00 - 16:00 UTC | UW Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building, Observatory Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States
Hosted by Marbleseed and GrassWorks
Register Here
After the Farm: Meat Processing Training for Farmers
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 8:00 AM CDT – 4:00 PM CDT | Free
UW Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Building

This one-day workshop will offer farmer participants a look at the next steps of the meat supply chain after the animal leaves the farm. Starting off with a tour of the state-of-the-art University of Wisconsin Meat Lab, the workshop will include a carcass breakdown demonstration of beef, hogs and small ruminants and presentations on what wholesale buyers, chefs and consumers are looking for when they shop for meat. Chef Jack Kaestner will demonstrate preparation and cooking with local meats with the opportunity to sample the results for lunch.
If you have further questions please reach out to LFPA Specialist, Sara Mooney – sara.mooney@marbleseed.org – (715) 309-5918 x 716
Pre-Workshop SocialSep 30th, 2024 5pm – 8pm
Best Western Plus Inntowner2424 University AveMadison, WI
Join us for an evening social and discussion exploring livestock producer experiences related to the processing and marketing of your products. We will enjoy food and drink and learn from each other about the processing related challenges and limitations our farms encounter and explore possible paths to solutions. Share your perspectives on the availability and quality of meat processing capacity in Wisconsin.
This gathering is part of a USDA funded project led by Marbleseed. The project is working to identify opportunities to maintain, expand and improve meat processing capacity and options for producers in Wisconsin.
This is a free event for producers who wish to participate.
Overnight accommodations available at the Best Western Inntowner at the reduced rate of $131. Rooms must be booked on your own at (608) 233-8778 or https://shorturl.at/CFyyk under room block “Meat Processing Workshop”. Book by Sep 17th.

Lancaster School of Grazing
2024-09-27 08:00 - 2024-09-28 17:00 UTC | Lancaster Ag Research Station, Wisconsin 35, Bloomington, Wisconsin, 53804, United States
Register Here

About The Event

GrassWorks is bringing back the popular Wisconsin Grazing Schools for the first time in over 10 years! We’re updating the schools to tackle modern grazing opportunities and challenges. These two-day, intensive workshops will provide opportunities for in-depth discussions, field exercises, and reference materials that cover both livestock and agroecological topics related to grazing.

Wisconsin School of Grazing Opportunities

The Marshfield Agricultural Research Station School has passed.

Lancaster Agricultural Research StationSeptember 27th and 28th, 20247396 WI-35 & 81, Lancaster, WI 53813

The Schools of Managed Grazing will enhance your managed grazing skills and knowledge. The schools combine interactive classroom sessions with hands-on field experiences, led by managed grazing experts. Attendees will gain valuable insights and tools to plan and improve their grazing operations, with a special focus empowering you to implement what you learn as soon as you get home.

Topics Include:

Principles of Managed Grazing

Soil health and pasture productivity

Graziers Math

Setting up a paddock for Ag Research Station herd!

Fencing, watering, and equipment demonstrations

Funding opportunities

Animal genetics and herd health

Establishing and Renovating pastures

Planning your own system

And More!

Pasture Walk with Silas Dudgeon: Financial Review of Cow/Calf Operation
2024-09-24 15:30 - 17:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Great River Graziers
Silas Dudgeon (608) 306-2156
Financial review of 100+ cow/calf operation on pasture. Guest: Bill Halfman, UW Madison Extension Beef Specialist
19663 Stove Rd, Eastman. From Seneca:Short Cut Road, at bottom of hill turn right on Stove Rd
Great River Graziers Pasture Walks

Dairy Heifer Training and Field Day
2024-09-24 13:00 - 2024-09-25 15:00 UTC | Shawano County Park – Indoor Pavillion, Lake Drive, Shawano, Wisconsin, 54166, United States
REGISTER HERE

September 241:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Location: Shawano County Park – Indoor Pavilion

Agenda:

Intro – What is the value proposition of dairy heifer grazing?:

– Building the case for heifer grazing: economic and ecological outcomes (GL 2.0 modeling)

Speaker: Adam Abel, NRCS and Sarah Lloyd, UW-Madison

Animal Performance and Production:

– Ongoing UW and USDA research

– Summary of conversations with dairy nutritionists

Speakers: David Jamarillo, Matt Akins

Heifer Compass (and Grazescape) – (Intro and working in small groups)

September 2510:00 am to 3:00 pm

TOUR two innovative farms and learn about what they’re doing

Stop 1 – Tauchen’s Heifer Grazing Operation

15 Years of Experience – Long term success

W4576 CTH-BE Bonduel, WI 54107

Stop 2 – Brown Star Farm’s Heifer Grazing Operation

New Grazier – Incorporating Covers/Annuals

10188-10198 Balcom Lake Rd. Gillett, WI 54124Topics to be covered during the Field Day:– Comparison between a newly established operation and another that’s been operating for 2 decades– Incorporating managed grazing into your operation – management and planning considerations– Grazing cover crops and summer annuals– Options for late season grazing– Incorporating managed grazing into your operation– Looking at and managing BOTH long-term, established, perennial pasture and newly established pasture– Farmer discussion on heifer health, and profitability– One-on-one farmer interactions and why they’re grazing!Farmer testimonials!:

“I’m getting my heifers out on managed pasture for the first time this summer. I’ve been thinking a lot about how it would work for my farm. When I heard about how well heifers on grass perform into 1st lactation, that’s what tipped the scales for me. I worked with a grazing planner, establish the pastures this spring on some row crop ground and contracted with the fencing company!” – Central Wisconsin dairy farmer

HOTEL/LODGING Information:

There are a few hotels in Shawano. The Quality Inn and Suites is mid-priced, has rooms available, and offers a free breakfast. website for booking

Soil Health & Land Protection Field Day
2024-09-20 15:00 - 18:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Golden Sands RC&D
RSVP to Kristin McAdow at (715) 343-6215 ext. 715 or grazing@goldensandsrcd.org by Sept 13th
Join us at Hyggelig Farm for a hands-on biochar building demonstration led by FoxRAP. Golden Sands RC&D will lead a discussion on prairie restoration and utilizing grazing as a prairie management tool. American Farmland Trust and Green Lake Conservancy will share information on conservation easements. ​​
Snacks/refreshments provided. Please bring your own chair or blanket.

Pasture Walk with Roman Miller: Total Grazing Method
2024-09-19 22:00 - 2024-09-20 00:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Sauk County
Learn about the Total Grazing method of managing pastures that can significantly increase forage and consequently, the stocking rate of your pastures. Roman has been experimenting with this method over the past two seasons. His pastures continued to produce an abundance of forage during the drought we had during the 2023 growing season. Come and learn from Roman’s experiences.
Sauk County Pasture Walks

Pasture Walk: Warm VS Cool Season Forage: a Comparison of Quality, Quantity, and Pollinator Habitat
2024-09-18 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Glacierland RC&DRegister Here
Warm vs Cool Season Forage: A Comparison of Quality, Quantity, and Pollinator Habitat
Guest Speakers Ryan Heinen, Farmer and Micah Kloppenburg, Xerces Society Detailed discussion for mid to advanced graziers contemplating adding warm season grasses to their pastures.
Ryan and Micah will be sharing general observations they’ve made throughout their two year assessment of cool season vs warm season pasture forage quality, quantity and pollinator habitat.
Flyer

Life After Farming… What’s Next for You and Your Land?
2024-09-12 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Farmland Access Hub
Register Here
Session 2
America’s farms have hit a critical point. Most of our food and fiber producers are over 55, while young and beginning farmers—due to debt and insurmountable challenges around farming and farmland access—are only replacing these producers at a rate of 9%. Additionally, the devastating and rapid loss of farmland in the U.S. to poorly planned developmental sprawl and foreign investors is pointing toward an impending food system crisis.
The Farmland Access Hub and Renewing the Countryside, along with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Region Nine Development Commission, American Farmland Trust, and others, are working to mitigate these issues by creating educational and networking opportunities for landowners and farmers around legacy planning and farmland transition.
To bring people together for learning and discussion, the Hub is hosting two online webinars—one in August and one in September—to provide resources to farmland owners interested in transitioning their land with a positive community legacy while engaging in peer-driven problem-solving.
Whether you are interested in renting, selling, or transitioning your farm to a new owner, the information provided during these 1-hour programs is geared to help landowners and retiring farmers identify and overcome fears and challenges as they think through the next steps for their land.
Come to Session One with your questions, ready to learn and gather resources. In Session Two, landowners will dive deeper into specific challenges and scenarios with facilitated support from succession coordinators and land transfer specialists.

Pasture Walk w/ the Haugens: Transition from Dairy to Beef
2024-09-04 15:30 - 17:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Great River Graziers
Olaf, Bonnie, & Vance Haugen(507) 459-0495
Transitioning from dairy to beef.
Great River Graziers Pasture Walks

Top Tier Beef Nutrition through Forage Quality
2024-09-03 23:00 - 2024-09-04 01:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Marathon County Dept of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning
Top Tier Beef Nutrition through Forage Quality @ Corner Stone Farm
Tuesday, September 3rd, 6-8PM ~ 224700 Co Rd B, Marathon, WI, 54448
Zach Sawall is a dairy nutritionist and a beef grazier. He will share tips on forage quality.
Contact Brooke Bembeneck with questions at (715) 370-9651 or Brooke.Bembeneck@co.marathon.wi.us.
All pasture walks are free and family-friendly.
Water, milk, and cookies available!
Check out the Marathon County Clover Belt Grazing Community Facebook page for event info as the dates get closer.

Pasture Walk: Integrating Trees and Livestock
2024-08-29 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Sauk County
Register Here or call 608-390-2756 to register
In partnership with the Savanna Institute & American Farmland Trust, this pasture walk is focused on the integration of trees into pastured livestock systems for shade, additional forage, ecological restoration, soil health, and enhanced economic opportunities. Lunch to be provided, registration required.
Sauk County Pasture Walks

Stockmanship & Stewardship Workshop
2024-08-28 00:00 - 2024-08-30 00:00 UTC | Wisconsin
This will be an action-packed two days featuring a variety of topics from cattle health and well-being to pasture management and land stewardship, complemented by low-stress cattle handling demonstrations.
Producers can engage with esteemed cattle producers who have been recognized for their land stewardship efforts at the regional and national levels as they participate in an interactive panel, offering insights into their approaches to raising beef cattle while enriching their land. A tour of the nearby University of Wisconsin Lancaster Ag Research Station will showcase the work done there with a focus on soil conservation and grazing projects.
Extension specialists and educators from Iowa State, Illinois and Wisconsin will lead breakout sessions addressing fitness for transport, pasture management, hairy heel warts, and several other topics.
Learn More and Register

WHA Hereford Tour
2024-08-24 14:00 - 23:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Wisconsin Hereford Association
Keep up to date
Tentative Schedule:Stop 1- Plum River Ranch (9:00-11:30) – Breakfast & IVF presentationStop 2- CMA Herefords (11:30 – 1:30) – Lunch & AHA UpdateStop 3- Wildcat Cattle (2:15- 4:15) – Snack & IVF presentationStop 4- Sandrock Ranch / Thousand Hills Polled Herefords (4:45-Done) – Dinner & Carcass type presentation

Pasture Walk w/ Kelsey Vance: New Land, New Grazing Plan
2024-08-21 15:30 - 17:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Great River Graziers
Kelsey Vance (608) 769-6943
What would you do? New land, new grazing plan, what other potentials do we see for this land? Guest: Megan Filbert, rep from NoFence virtual fence company
Great River Graziers Pasture Walks

Life After Farming… What’s Next for You and Your Land?
2024-08-14 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Farmland Access Hub
Register Here
Session 1Session 2 is September 12th 11:30am-1pm
America’s farms have hit a critical point. Most of our food and fiber producers are over 55, while young and beginning farmers—due to debt and insurmountable challenges around farming and farmland access—are only replacing these producers at a rate of 9%. Additionally, the devastating and rapid loss of farmland in the U.S. to poorly planned developmental sprawl and foreign investors is pointing toward an impending food system crisis.
The Farmland Access Hub and Renewing the Countryside, along with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Region Nine Development Commission, American Farmland Trust, and others, are working to mitigate these issues by creating educational and networking opportunities for landowners and farmers around legacy planning and farmland transition.
To bring people together for learning and discussion, the Hub is hosting two online webinars—one in August and one in September—to provide resources to farmland owners interested in transitioning their land with a positive community legacy while engaging in peer-driven problem-solving.
Whether you are interested in renting, selling, or transitioning your farm to a new owner, the information provided during these 1-hour programs is geared to help landowners and retiring farmers identify and overcome fears and challenges as they think through the next steps for their land.
Come to Session One with your questions, ready to learn and gather resources. In Session Two, landowners will dive deeper into specific challenges and scenarios with facilitated support from succession coordinators and land transfer specialists.

Pasture Walk: Diversified Dairy Grazing
2024-08-13 23:30 - 2024-08-14 01:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Marathon County Dept of Conservation, Planning, and Zoning
Diversified Dairy Grazing Pasture Walk @ GM Sandhill Farm
Tuesday August 13 6:30-8:30PM ~ N12038 Sandhill Ave, Unity, WI, 54488
Michelle and Gary Popp graze jersey cows. They keep their calves with their dams and have diversified their product with a line of lotion made from their grass-fed milk.
Contact Brooke Bembeneck with questions at (715) 370-9651 or Brooke.Bembeneck@co.marathon.wi.us.
All pasture walks are free and family-friendly.
Water, milk, and cookies available!
Check out the Marathon County Clover Belt Grazing Community Facebook page for event info as the dates get closer.

Pasture Walk w/ Don Boland: Maximizing Milk Income and Pasture Quality in Spring Flush
2024-08-09 15:30 - 17:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Great River Graziers
Don Boland(608) 734-3570
Attempting to maximize milk income and pasture quality while managing the spring flush.Guest: Jason Cavadini, UW Grazing Outreach Specialist
Great River Graziers Pasture Walks

Kernza Soil Health Field Evening
2024-08-06 22:30 - 2024-08-07 00:30 UTC | Wisconsin
Hosted by Glacierland RC&D and Cedar Creek Farmers
Register Here
Join us at Ross Bishop’s farm to see his 5 year established Kernza perennial crop.
Guest speakers: Erica Schoenberger and Dr. Valentin Picasso Risso of UW Madison as well as Dr. Nicole Tautges of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will discuss this new crop, and its current and future economy in Wisconsin. Jamie Patton of NRCS will be down in a soil pit to demonstrate the soil heatlh benefits of this new perennial crop. Ross Bishop will demonstrate how he combines this unique crop.
* FREE Kernza beer and snacks provided, along with a light dinner
