What a difference a month makes—whether you’re seeing green pastures or still a bit of snow, spring is starting to show up across Minnesota. Grazing season is just around the corner.
Nine mentor-mentee pairs are working across Minnesota this season—connecting beginning and transitioning grazers with experienced farmers for hands-on support.
Through monthly check-ins and on-farm visits, participants are building practical skills and working toward soil health goals.
A big thank you to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts helping make this program possible.
Congratulations, Jace Stallman!
Minnesota’s own Jace Stallman (NRCS Rangeland Specialist)
received a national USDA NRCS award in March.
2026: The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
The UN has designated 2026 to highlight the importance of rangelands—covering nearly half the Earth’s land and playing a critical role in climate, biodiversity, and food systems.
In the U.S., the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other leaders are recognizing this effort and highlighting how well-managed grazing can improve land health.
Audubon: Wings Over Working Lands
This initiative connects grazing land management with market-based conservation — essentially turning consumers into conservationists through the products they buy.
Enrolled producers will work with a Technical Service Provider to develop grazing and conservation plans, implement electronic livestock ID systems, improve genetics, and more.
2026 Grazing School - Our Signature Event of the Year!
Our signature event—redesigned to fit your schedule.
Includes:
4 live Zoom sessions (June–July) 2 on-farm field days (pick one): Northern MN Field Day
— Duluth Farming Company, Duluth · Mon, July 27 Southern MN Field Day
— Grover Land & Cattle, Harmony · Thurs, July 30
Topics: grazing, soil health, livestock nutrition, season extension
4 live Zoom sessions (May–June) 2 on-farm field days: Southern MN Field Day
— Port-Haven Farm, Sleepy Eye · Thurs, June 11 Northern MN Field Day
— Little Timber Farm, Blackduck · Tues, June 16
See virtual fencing in action across real grazing systems
Join us for three hands-on field days exploring how virtual fencing works on the ground—across dairy, beef, and cover crop systems.
Live demos + pasture walks
Farmer-led insights from real operations
NRCS updates on NEW virtual fence cost-share opportunities
Time to ask questions and connect
Upcoming virtual fence events:
Dairy Grazing Morris, MN | May 19 @ 10:00 a.m. Featuring Dr. Bradley Heins + West Central ROC
Beef Grazing Blue Earth, MN | July 13 @ 5:30 p.m. Featuring producer Scott Hasse + Blue Dirt Farm
Cover Crop Grazing Winthrop, MN | October 13 @ 10:00 a.m. Featuring producer Benjamin Matzke + Greater Heritage Farm
Partner Event: Pasture Walk Series #1: Circle K Ranch Thursday, April 23 from 6–8 p.m.
Hosted by the Sustainable Farming Association
, this pasture walk will take place at Circle K Ranch
near the Lac qui Parle River. Hear how Keith Olsen and family transitioned cropland to perennial pasture, integrated annual forages, and reduced input costs through managed grazing.
Our local bank is giving away $2,500 to nonprofits, and we’re on the list. It takes less than a minute to vote—just enter your email, confirm you’re over 18, and select “Minnesota Grazing Lands – Lynd, MN.”
Even if the weekend's blizzard has much of Minnesota buried in snow, spring really is just around the corner—and with it, new opportunities to learn and grow with MNGLCA!
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