The Northern Minnesota stop of the 2026 MNGLCA Grazing School brought together a wonderful mix of producers—from first-time graziers eager to learn, to local experienced livestock managers, and even one participant from Montana who joined us after seeing the event featured in the Stockman Grass Farmer. Hosted by the Juten family on their beautiful farm, the event highlighted not only practical grazing management but also the importance of family, stewardship, and planning for the future.

The gathering began the evening before with a relaxed social hour, giving everyone an opportunity to connect with one another and spend time with three generations of the Juten family. Those conversations quickly revealed that the success of the operation is rooted in good grazing practices and much more!

At the heart of the farm are Don and Barb Juten, whose steady leadership has helped keep family, agriculture, and the future of the farm at the center of every decision. Their commitment to encouraging the next generation, navigating intergenerational farm transition, and recognizing the need for the operation to evolve has helped sustain a family farm that has been in operation for more than 125 years.

The second generation, Jay and Deb, shared how thoughtful management has strengthened both the land and the business. Throughout the years, Jay has focused on improving pastures through rotational grazing, investing in fencing and water systems, and carefully managing forage quality and nutrients. Their philosophy is simple but powerful: the farm is a resource entrusted to them, and their responsibility is to manage it well for those who will follow. Those improvements have not only enhanced the land but have also strengthened the farm’s long-term productivity and economic resilience.

The next generation is already shaping the future of the operation. Chris, his wife, Naomi, and Nick & Ali understand both the opportunities and challenges of raising a family on the farm. Having experienced difficult cattle markets, they understand the importance of creating additional value beyond commodity production. Chris has embraced developing new products and expanding direct marketing opportunities, while Ali focuses on building meaningful relationships with consumers and telling the family's story. Together, they are helping customers understand that every purchase supports a real family dedicated to producing high-quality food.

The youngest generation was represented by Lucas, whose enthusiasm for agriculture is unmistakable. While currently attending college, Lucas is already thinking about how he can return to the farm and continue growing the business in ways that will keep it profitable and sustainable for decades to come. His passion for agriculture and willingness to share the family's story was also highlighted during the field day, as the local Fox News station joined us to interview Lucas about the Duluth Farming Company and the next generation’s role in agriculture. His perspective provided a great reminder that the future of farming depends on young people who are excited to innovate, connect with consumers, and carry these traditions forward.

The following morning's field day built on those conversations with a full day of hands-on learning. After coffee, introductions, and an overview of the operation, participants enjoyed a guided tour through the many paddocks the Juten family has developed over the years. Along the way, Jay openly discussed the realities of improving pasture ground, including the significant investments required for rock removal, brush clearing, fencing, and water infrastructure. His willingness to share both successes and challenges provided valuable insight for producers at every stage of their grazing journey.

Throughout the day, attendees explored practical topics including pasture management, fencing systems, water development, livestock handling, grazing stick demonstrations, forage testing, plant identification, pasture renovation, and integrating cover crops into grazing systems.

Expert grazing specialists with the NRCS, Jeff Duchene, Jace Stallman, and Lance Smith shared their experience and answered questions from participants, while University of Minnesota Extension educator Troy Salzer—who also operates a beef farm near Duluth—guided the day's discussions. Troy's ability to introduce each generation of the Juten family, facilitate conversation, and connect technical information with real-world experience kept participants engaged from beginning to end.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway from the day was that successful grazing extends far beyond pasture management. It requires careful stewardship of the land, thoughtful business decisions, a willingness to adapt, and a commitment to preparing the next generation to carry the farm forward.

Thank you to the Juten family for opening your farm, sharing your experiences so openly, and demonstrating what it looks like when generations work together toward a common vision. We are also grateful to every producer who attended, asked thoughtful questions, and contributed to the conversations that made the day such a success.