Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition Successfully Completes 2023 Regenerative Grazing Schools
More than 50 students attended schools in Northern and Southern regions.
The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition (ILGLC) has successfully completed its 2023 regenerative grazing schools, the first schools hosted in Illinois for several years. Held September 8 and 9 in Bluford and September 15 and 16 in Dundee, the schools were widely attended by more than 50 students and included instruction on an array of regenerative grazing topics by expert presenters.
“Regenerative grazing continues to draw excitement from producers across the state,” said Cliff Schuette, president of ILGLC. “ILGLC is pleased to have hosted these informative schools to provide new and existing grazers with hands-on education about regenerative grazing management. We know when these strategies are deployed on the farm, producers will not only better steward their land, but also improve the profitability of their operations. We were impressed by this year’s students and look forward to following their successes into the future.”
Over two days, attendees at each school participated in classroom and pasture-based instruction by grazing experts who taught a wide range of topics: basics of getting started, soil fertility and soil health, water and fencing systems, extending the grazing season, multispecies grazing, and more. In addition, attendees heard from a panel of local livestock producers who discussed their grazing operations and entertained lively question and answer sessions.
The 2023 grazing schools were organized by ILGLC Grazing Coordinators Logan Karcher and Christian Lovell and were hosted at Farraway Farm in Bluford and All Grass Farms in Dundee. Expert instructors included: Katie Bell (University of Illinois Extension), Mike Birchler (Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service), Matt Bunger (Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service), Nathan Johanning (University of Illinois Extension), David Kleinschmidt (Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services LLC), Ted Krauskopf (ILGLC Secretary/Treasurer), Travis Meteer (University of Illinois Extension), Dean Oswald (Midwest Grass & Forage), Cliff Schuette (ILGLC President), Teresa Steckler (University of Illinois Extension), Trevor Toland (ILGLC Vice President), and Jason Tower (Southern Indiana-Purdue Agricultural Center).
ILGLC’s regenerative grazing schools are a collaborative effort with key partners, including The Wallace Center at Winrock International, the Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the University of Illinois Extension.