The Pasture Project, in partnership with the Regenerative Ag Idea Network (REGAIN), is excited to offer a free introductory training series on regenerative grazing for ag educators and advocates based in the Upper Midwest (applicants from other states are also invited to apply, however please note that the content is most relevant to Upper Midwest). The series will be held over eight weeks, starting the week of February 27th, and wrapping up the week of April 17, 2023. We are no longer accepting applications for this course.

Questions? Let us know at [email protected].

Background

Agricultural educators, technical service providers, and advocates play a crucial role in building awareness of regenerative practices and supporting farmers who are interested in implementing them. However, many of these professionals lack the basic exposure, knowledge, and experience to encourage successful regenerative grazing in their areas. The Pasture Project is offering a free education series for agriculture educators, technical service providers, and advocates focused on building their basic knowledge and support of regenerative grazing.

This educational series will increase regenerative grazing awareness and knowledge among participants. The goal of the series is to strengthen the community of people who can advocate for regenerative grazing and support farmers in navigating opportunities to implement these practices. Additionally, many educators and advocates who serve farmers operate in relative isolation. This series is designed to build a stronger and a more interconnected network of regenerative grazing advocates in the Upper Midwest.

Training Structure

This series will be held over eight weeks, starting the week of February 27th and wrapping up the week of April 17th, 2023. Participants will have between three to five hours of content to review each week at their own pace, in addition to a weekly office hour on the topic of that week, featuring a technical expert and a Q&A session.

The series will be offered entirely online via REGAIN’s online platform. Participants will have access to the “Regenerative Grazing for Soil Health” curriculum, which employs a module-based format that integrates webinars, video tutorials, quizzes, and more to deliver content. The curriculum content will be largely self-guided, with a recommended week-by-week schedule from the series facilitator.

Participants will also be able to engage with each other via an online discussion group on the platform and weekly office hour calls with technical experts. Participants are expected to attend as many of these calls as possible.

Training participants will also have the opportunity to apply their grazing knowledge to an optional project! Possible projects include (but are not limited to):

• Grazing plan
• Grazing business plan
• Field day or other grazing education event curriculum
• Grazing educational materials

Training Overview

Check back to this page for updates on our featured technical experts!

• Week 1 | Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 3
  • Modules: Introduction to Regenerative Grazing, Impacts of Agriculture, & Regenerative Grazing in Context
  • Speaker: Dr. Erin Lowe | Agroecologist | University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Week 2 | Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 10
  • Module: Healthy Soil
  • Speaker: Dr. Jamie Patton | Soil Health Expert | NPM Program Outreach Specialist at UW Madison
• Week 3 | Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17
  • Module: Healthy Forage
  • Speaker: Dr. Greg Brickner | Sheep Grazier | Staff Veterinarian with Organic Valley
• Week 4 | Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 24
  • Modules: Healthy Herd & Adaptive Grazing in Practice
  • Speaker: Dr. Teresa Steckler | Extension Educator | University of Illinois Extension
• Week 5 | Monday, March 27 to Friday, March 31
  • Modules: Fencing & Watering Systems for Grazing
  • Speaker: Gene Schriefer | Beef and Sheep Grazier | Former Senior Outreach Specialist at University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension | Current Executive Director of WI FSA
• Week 6 | Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7
  • Module: Business Planning & Financial Management
  • Speaker: Jim Munsch | Beef Grazier | Ag Business Development Consultant 
• Week 7 | Monday, April 10 to Friday, April 14
  • Module: Row Crops, Cover Crops, & Livestock
  • Speaker: Jason Cavadini | Beef Grazier | UW Extension Grazing Specialist
• Week 8 | Monday, April 17 to Friday, April 21
  • Module: Grazing Planning
  • Serge Koenig | Land and Resources Scientist | Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department

Live sessions will be held weekly – either Thursday morning or afternoon (please indicate which time would work best for you in your application).

Who Should Apply?

Consider applying for this training if you have any of the following roles:

• University Extension educators and other staff
• County, state and federal government agriculture and conservation staff
• Nonprofit agricultural educators and technical assistance providers
• Farmer networks
• Non-profit conservation organization staff

Applicants who are based in the Upper Midwest or serve producers and other agricultural stakeholders in those states will be prioritized, but applicants from other states are also invited to apply. Applications are due by February 10, and selected applicants will be notified within one week of the application deadline.

Application Requirements

• Applicants must be members of the Regenerative Ag Idea Network (REGAIN) – make an account here if you haven’t already—it’s that simple! And free!
• Complete a short (> 15 min) application