ILGLC Hosts Two 2024 Grazing Schools
In September 2024, the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition (ILGLC) wrapped up its second round of grazing schools, marking another successful effort to support Illinois livestock producers in building profitable, sustainable grazing operations.
Hands-On Learning
The first Grazing School took place on September 6-7, 2024, at River Oak Ranch, where 22 attendees gathered to learn about the fundamentals of regenerative grazing. This diverse group included two scholarship-supported beginning female farmers and attendees from as far as the Chicago suburbs, reflecting the growing interest in grazing across the state. Livestock interests at this session spanned cattle, goats, and even bison, highlighting the potential for multispecies grazing practices to enrich Illinois agriculture.
The second Grazing School followed on September 11-12 at Creal Springs, with 16 participants including several Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff members. Although a smaller group, the event saw an equally diverse interest in multispecies grazing and served as an excellent networking and learning opportunity for local graziers and conservation professionals alike.
Grazing School Topics and Expert Presenters
ILGLC’s grazing schools provide a balanced blend of classroom instruction and hands-on pasture learning. This year’s curriculum covered essential topics, such as:
Getting Started with Grazing
Fencing & Water Systems
Soil Fertility and Health
Livestock Observation Skills
Stocking Density and Paddock Size
Winter Grazing & Feeding Strategies
Multispecies Grazing
Cost-Share Programs like EQIP
Plant Identification and Legume Integration
Economics of Grazing
New to the 2024 curriculum was a demonstration on aerial seeding of cover crops, showcasing a fast-growing practice in Illinois that enhances pasture diversity and soil resilience.
The lineup of expert instructors included respected professionals such as Travis Meteer and Teresa Steckler from University of Illinois Extension, Bradley Behymer and Matt Bunger from Illinois NRCS, Luke Jones of Understanding Ag, LLC, Dean Oswald, retired from University of Illinois Extension, David Kleinschmidt of Progressive Agronomy Consulting, LLC, and ILGLC representatives. ILGLC’s Grazing Coordinators, Jacob Hamilton and Logan Karcher, organized the events and provided hands-on guidance.
Building a Community of Graziers Across Illinois
The success of ILGLC’s grazing schools underscores the growing enthusiasm for regenerative grazing and sustainable livestock practices across Illinois. Both events provided valuable knowledge, practical skills, and a community network to support producers on their path to profitable, sustainable grazing. With a mix of beginning and experienced farmers attending, it’s clear that regenerative grazing continues to gain momentum, proving its value as both a profitable and environmentally supportive farming strategy.