Planting perennial forage species for livestock provides a mutually beneficial ecological relationship between the land and your farm. By utilizing planned grazing, you can improve the water quality coming off the farm by gradually filtering and releasing water downstream, increase soil health and carbon storage, improve the health of your animals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a more climate resilient farm, and increase your profits by cutting down on costly inputs such as feed and fertilizer. Planned grazing uses the ecology of your land (soil, climate, topography) to determine the best way to use livestock to maximize the benefits to both your farming operation and the environment. It is a way to manage your pastures and ensure your livestock are in the right place at the right time to achieve your land and farm goals.

Sand County Foundation offers technical assistance to help you get started grazing livestock or to expand your grazing operation. 

Our grazing specialist, Briana Schnelle, will work with you to plan a year-round grazing system on your farm. A written managed grazing plan will make recommendations on how many animals your land can support, what grazing infrastructure (fences, watering systems, seeding, etc.) is necessary, information on your soils and existing vegetation, identify any areas of environmental concern, and map out the suggested paddock size and rotation. Briana can also help navigate the cost sharing options available through federal, state, county, and non-profit sources. 

As a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), our grazing plans meet NRCS Prescribed Grazing standards and may be used to apply for NRCS financial assistance.