Growing up in the Waupaca, Wisconsin area, Richard and Haley Nelson had ties to farming through family and friends with agricultural and hobby farms. Richard had worked for local farmers growing up, but when the piece of land they had been eyeing came up for sale in 2007, the Nelsons got their first real chance at starting a farming operation of their own. Since purchasing the land, they have added a house, a pond, and a shop building, installed fencing around all their rotationally grazed acreage, and fully transitioned their operation to raising beef cattle and sheep. In total, the Nelsons manage 60 acres of pasture and 30 acres of hayland, which includes the 30 acres of rotationally grazed acreage they lease from a neighbor. 

Together with their son, Rhett, and daughter, Rylee, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Nelsons rotationally graze and manage a healthy herd of Angus cross cattle. With the financial and technical assistance provided through NRCS programs, the Nelsons have had success developing and implementing a grazing management plan that’s grounded in sustainability and boasts a high-quality habitat for grassland birds.

When NRCS District Conservationist, Lisa Neuenfeldt, walked the formerly row-cropped land with Richard and Haley in 2018, she noted that “the soil was in bad shape. My compaction meter read over 200 pounds per square inch (psi), which is a sign that compaction and soil structure is an issue. Usually, we like to see readings below 50, which means compaction is not a resource concern. But at 200 psi, root growth can become restricted.” Inspired by the work of soil health pioneer, Gabe Brown, author of the book “Dirt to Soil, One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture,” the Nelsons set their sights on improving the soil by establishing a rotational grazing plan. They enrolled in the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and in 2019, seeded the entire farm down to pasture. Shortly after, they installed fencing, livestock pipeline, and watering facilities to support their rotational grazing plan. After successfully implementing the conservation practices planned through their EQIP contract, the Nelsons decided to take their conservation efforts to the next level by applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In 2022, the Nelsons were awarded a CSP contract, providing them the opportunity to build on their successes by diversifying their pastures with interseeding different species, conducting soil health tests, and planting trees and shrubs. Despite the conditions brought on by the drought of 2023, most of their trees survived and continue to thrive as they plan to plant an acre of monarch-friendly pollinator habitat in the fall. “The Nelson’s are unique in that they focus on habitat and soil health as integral elements of their grazing operation,” said Neuenfeldt. “They have also helped other graziers with their operations and building that network of grazing knowledge within the community is extremely valuable in making graziers successful.”

Nearby neighbors and graziers, Arthur and Rheta Richardson of Solbakken Farm, have served as friends, role models, and mentors to the Nelsons. Arthur and Rheta were instrumental in encouraging the Nelsons to enroll in EQIP and begin rotational grazing. When the Richardsons, who were featured in the May 2022 NRCS Wisconsin Waupaca Success Story from the Field, were asked what they are most proud of, their highlights included: conserving the land and improving water quality, recycling nutrients on the farm, producing all their own feed, providing habitat for earthworms, monarchs, pollinators and waterfowl, and having healthy animals. But they were especially proud of the community pride that comes from local people who support the way they are producing food and improving the environment. 

The Nelsons’ daughter, Rylee, who also has a flock of show sheep and is building a market lamb flock, works for the Richardsons by helping manage their beef cattle herd. Although Rylee is still in high school, she hopes to utilize her agriculture experience and passion for conservation by someday becoming a NRCS employee. In the summer of 2023, Rylee spent a day as an Earth Team volunteer, inspecting a completed brush management and tree planting project with staff from the NRCS Waupaca County Service Center. The Earth Team program offers numerous volunteer opportunities for those who care about conservation and are interested in helping NRCS fulfill its commitment to supporting producers and landowners in their voluntary conservation efforts. Rylee’s Earth Team experience and extensive resume of work on her family’s farm and neighboring land has led her to focus her studies on soil science, agriculture, and/or animal science. 

While the Nelsons’ site can be challenging to manage due to the sidehill seeps and sandy soil, Richard feels the practices they’ve implemented thus far are a “win-win” for both his cattle and wildlife. “Each year we continue to learn— management improves, and the farm improves,” Richard said, noting that many management decisions, such as when to move the animals and how much pasture residue to leave, are based on the needs of bobolinks, bluebirds and a variety of other grassland birds who call the Nelsons’ farm ‘home.’ Richard is especially proud of how they have improved the farm’s soil health, provided a better habitat for wildlife, and increased the biodiversity of plants, all while managing a thriving grazing operation. Potential future conservationist, Rylee, is most proud of learning how to graze and manage cattle and sheep using sustainable conservation practices.

Including the pollinator planting scheduled for later this year, their future goals for the farm are to continue to improve the quality of the soil and wildlife habitat. They are considering adding trees to the pasture to convert to a silvopasture, which they feel will enhance their grazing operation even further. Having received invaluable mentorship while building their business, the Nelsons offer this insightful advice to prospective graziers: “Start small, don’t expect overnight success, find a mentor, attend pasture walks, find the aspects of grazing that you are good at and focus on those, and don’t be afraid to reevaluate your business model if things aren’t working for you.”

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New to farming? Want to learn how to start a farm? USDA considers anyone who has operated a farm or ranch for less than ten years to be a beginning farmer or rancher. Click here to learn more about the assistance NRCS offers — all are welcome, we’re here to help people help the land!

Each year, we celebrate National Volunteer Week to recognize the contributions of our volunteers. The USDA-NRCS is celebrating National Volunteer Week April 21-28th, 2024, by thanking and honoring its Earth Team volunteers for their service to conservation. To learn more about Earth Team and get involved in the efforts of conserving natural resources, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/wi/careers-volunteers or reach out to your local Service Center for more information!