What a privilege it was to travel to the beautiful northern city of Baudette, Minnesota, for the Producer Livestock Workshop hosted by the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District! MNGLCA was honored to be among an outstanding lineup of presenters and a room full of passionate, dedicated producers eager to learn and connect.

A heartfelt thank you to Mike Hirst, Resource Conservationist with the Lake of the Woods SWCD, for putting together such a thoughtful and well-rounded program. Here's a look at the day's highlights:

NRCS Update: Still Here, Still Serving

The day kicked off with a presentation from the NRCS, led by Jody Peek. While the NRCS office has faced staffing challenges in recent times, Jody reassured attendees that they remain committed to supporting producers — offering both technical assistance and cost-share opportunities for those looking to implement or improve grazing on their farms. It was an encouraging message for producers navigating the often complex process of accessing federal resources.

MPCA Feedlot Rule Revision Update

Mike Hirst followed with a timely update on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Feedlot Rule Revision, including a video overview of where the revision process currently stands. For livestock producers, staying informed on evolving regulations is critical, and this segment helped attendees understand what changes may be on the horizon.

Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program

Brian Ingmire delivered an excellent overview of the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), walking producers through the certification process and highlighting the real benefits it offers. Brian put it well when he said that agriculture is part of the solution to many of Minnesota's environmental challenges — and that this program exists to recognize the work farmers are already doing to protect our natural resources.

The numbers speak for themselves: to date, 1,700 Minnesota farms covering approximately 1.5 million acres have been certified. A remarkable testament to the stewardship happening across the state.

MDA Livestock Investment Grant Tips

Courtney VanderMey gave producers an inside look at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Livestock Investment Grant, explaining how the grant process works and — perhaps most valuably — sharing practical tips on how to tell your farm story effectively to strengthen your application. For producers who have ever felt uncertain about the grant process, this was an incredibly practical and encouraging presentation.

Introducing MNGLCA's New Grazing Mentorship Program

MNGLCA's own Leah Matzke had the pleasure of introducing our brand-new pilot program: the MNGLCA Grazing Mentorship Program — a farmer-to-farmer mentorship initiative designed to support beginning and transitioning livestock producers across Minnesota. This 6-month, one-on-one mentorship pairing beginning or transitioning livestock producers with experienced Minnesota grazers.

What Participants Receive:

• Monthly mentor check-ins
• A 2-year MNGLCA membership
• Complimentary access to the MNGLCA Grazing School or Field Days
• Planning tools, templates, and peer support
• Guidance toward achievable soil health goals
• Eligibility for a $500 completion mini-grant in select regions

Key Dates:

• Applications due: March 20, 2026
• Program runs: April 1 – October 1, 2026

Learn more and apply at mnglca.org/mentorship.

Forage Productivity & Rotational Grazing Workshop

The day wrapped up on a high note with an engaging, hands-on session led by Patrick Toomey, the new Grazing Education Lead with the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA). Patrick brought energy and clarity to the topics of forage productivity and rotational grazing, making complex concepts approachable and memorable for producers at all experience levels. It was exactly the kind of interactive, practical learning that one would expect from SFA.

Thank You, Baudette!

From the warm welcome by the Lake of the Woods SWCD team to the enthusiastic group of producers in attendance, this was a day well spent. MNGLCA is grateful to have been included in such a meaningful event, and we look forward to continuing to connect with producers across Minnesota.

If you're interested in any of the programs mentioned above — including our new Mentorship Program — don't hesitate to reach out and we'll get you connected to the resources you need!