MINNEAPOLIS — The Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council, a Networking Group of the Sustainable Farming Association, is hosting an extensive series of grazing events this spring and summer. Details for each, including registration links, are below. Preregistration is required to attend. All are free.
April 19 – Bale Grazing Tour, 5:30-7 p.m., Hollister Family Farm, 12857 Nokasippi River Rd SE, Brainerd. Bale grazing is a form of wintering cattle on pasture, or outwintering. The benefits of bale grazing include more equal distribution of manure and associated nutrients, reduced machinery costs for feeding and manure handling, and improved soil health. REGISTER.
April 27 – Bale Grazing Tour, 5:30-7 p.m., Seven Pines Farm, 18618 County Rd 23, Verndale. Same description as above. REGISTER.
May 12 – Prescribed Burn Farm Tour, 6-8 p.m., Sunup Ranch, 12316 Co 18 SW, Brainerd. Visit the on-going silvopasture research and demonstration work at Sunup Ranch. Join us on this tour to see the results of a prescribed burn on the Sunup Ranch managed woodland grazing site. REGISTER.
July 13 – Hollister Bale Grazing Followup Tour, 6-8 p.m., Hollister Family Farm, 12857 Nokasippi River Rd SE, Brainerd. This tour will follow up on the April event and look at recovery of the site and impact from previous years of bale grazing.
REGISTER.
July 15 – Seven Pines Bale Grazing Followup Tour, 6-8 p.m., Seven Pines Farm, 18618 County Rd 23, Verndale. This tour will follow up on the April event and look at recovery of the site and impact from previous years of bale grazing. REGISTER.
Sept. 14 – Creating Forage Chains with Steve Flanagan, 5:30-7 p.m., 36554 620th Ave, Bluffton. Explore ways to create a continuous forage chain throughout the year, utilizing grazing techniques, cover crops, and practices that reduce feed costs and farm profiability. REGISTER.
SFA’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan will be implemented at each event, meaning:
- Pre-registration is required, and will close at 12 PM the day prior to each event.
- Each event will be limited to 50 participants.
- Masks are required, unless a physical limitation or exertion prevents mask use.
- Social distancing of 6 feet is required.
- All participants must signify their COVID symptom status upon registering and upon arrival to the event.
For more details or questions, please contact the Council at foragecouncil@sfa-mn.org.
— Sustainable Farming Association
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