2026 Annual MNGLCA Meeting

posted on 1/13/2026

Our Annual Meeting at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge was held on January 12, 2026. Surrounded by beautiful views of the oak savanna and a room full of committed partners, the message was clear: our grazing community is supported, valued, and moving forward with momentum.

The meeting was called to order by Chair Dean Thomas, followed by board introductions and officer elections. The membership unanimously approved the 2026 officers:

President: Dean Thomas | Vice President: Dave Evans | Treasurer: Deb Thooft | Secretary: Tarah Young.

A highlight of the morning was a presentation by Cody Carlstrom, Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, who shared how conservation grazing is used at Sherburne NWR. Spanning 30,700 acres, the refuge uses managed grazing in areas to increase plant diversity, improve wildlife habitat, and control invasive species—demonstrating the real, on-the-ground value of grazing as a conservation tool.

We also shared 2026 priorities, including expanded events, a growing mentorship network, new educational tools, and strengthened partnerships and outreach.

Partner Updates & Shared Support

Over lunch, we heard brief updates from many valued partners, including NRCS, UMN Extension, MASWCD, Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association, Sustainable Farming Association, Audubon Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MN Soil Health Coalition, and the MN Farmers Union.

What’s Next

A full slate of MNGLCA-supported events is ahead this winter and spring, including Cow-Calf Days, grazing workshops, producer trainings, and regional conferences.

View upcoming events at www.mnglca.org/events

We left encouraged, reminded that this work is stronger when we do it together, and thankful to have representatives from every organization listed below in the room.