It seems like everyone is “maxxing” something these days. Looksmaxxing, proteinmaxxing, sleepmaxxing… At NRCS, I guess you could say we are into landmaxxing. Is that a thing? Let’s make it a thing! Most of our customers have been maximizing the potential for their land for years, implementing voluntary conservation practices to address resource concerns and to improve different aspects of their property. Mike and Becky Jordan have been landmaxxing for years and have taken advantage of NRCS programs to help them achieve their conservation goals.  

The Jordan’s property is tucked away on a quiet road in Winn Parish not far from where Mike Jordan grew up. For many years, Mike and Becky expressed interest in purchasing the tract of land that is now their silvopasture. Despite the owner’s years-long reluctance to sell, the Jordans continued to ask about purchasing the land. Their persistence finally paid off in 2020. And then, they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. 

They started with an overstocked 17-year-old pine plantation. Resource concerns included wildfire risk, low productivity of the loblolly pines, and reduced wildlife habitat. The Jordans’ main goal for the land was to increase the grazing capacity for their cows. After discussing their goals with NRCS, the Jordans decided to transform the pine plantation into a silvopasture – a sustainable, multi-use system that supports livestock grazing with tree and forage production. 

The bulk of the work to transform the land began in September 2022 with loblolly pine thinning. Mulching biomass followed in Spring 2023, herbaceous spray to eliminate hardwood competition for the pines in Fall 2023 and a controlled burn to prepare for planting grass followed about 6 weeks later. Next came the perimeter and cross-fencing before planting Bahia grass and fertilizing in Spring of 2024. The Jordans finally turned cows out onto the land in August 2024. 

Becky jokes that Mike spends all his time working on the land. But she’s no stranger to hard work. She has worked alongside him to help transform the land into a beautiful, sustainable piece of working land. 

The Jordans continue to improve their property through voluntary conservation with NRCS’ help. Mike credits NRCS, “The USDA had all the plans and information to follow and has been a tremendous help in making this project a success.” 

See this story on LA NRCS YouTube: Jordan Silvopasture

Learn more about NRCS programs, visit www.la.nrcs.usda.gov.