Beef & sheep pasture walk south of Amery Saturday, June 22

AMERY - The NW Wisconsin Graziers Network, River Country RC&D and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension invite you to a multi-species pasture walk hosted by Whetstone Farm and Cultivating the Commons, located 7 miles southwest of Amery in Polk County, on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. This educational event will include multi-enterprises, grazing planning, direct marketing, multi-species grazing, winter bale grazing, vegetable CSA and vegetable seed production and a soil health discussion.

Come tour a collaboratively run grazing operation (alongside vegetable and seed production) with Whetstone Farm and Cultivating the Commons. These farms collaboratively manage 176 acres with rotationally grazed livestock and have completed EQIP programs, as well as working with Polk County Land and Water. Together, they were able to improve their livestock operations to enhance water quality and wildlife habitat. Whetstone Farm manages a flock of crossbred sheep (200-plus head) and a small herd of Galloway cattle (18 head).

There will be a soil health discussion led by a UW-Madison Extension crops specialist on challenges of converting cropland to perennial forage production.

This walk will focus on the livestock and grazing components of the farms. Discuss rotational grazing with cattle and sheep using a mix of permanent and movable fencing. See recent installments with NRCS EQIP programs including above ground water lines, permanent and mobile fencing and converting crop lands to permanent pastures. Discuss corral for multi-species use, lambing on pasture, parasite maintenance, guard dog use, direct marketing, educational programing, on farm slaughter and conservation easements.

Whetstone Farm direct markets most of their products via website and farmer’s market, alongside offering on-farm slaughter as well as slaughter/butchering educational workshops. Whetstone Farm has been providing grass-fed lamb for 10 years and raising cattle for grass-fed beef since 2021. Other enterprises include a vegetable CSA and specialty crop seed production.

The farm is located at 260 135th St. in south-central Polk County. On Highway 46 going south of Amery, turn right (west) onto 20th Avenue, go west 2.5 miles, turn right (north) onto 135th Street, go about half a mile to the farm on the right. Coming from the south, on Highway 46 about 5 miles south of Amery, turn left (west) onto 20th Avenue and follow directions above. Watch for the signs.

For more information, contact Kass at 402.310.2046, Becky Brathal, UW-Madison Extension Regional Crops educator, at 651.302.6520, Chris Johnson, River Country-RC&D, at 715.579.0793 or Lynn Johnson at 715.225.9882 with NW Wisconsin Graziers Network.