Past Events:
SWPG Fall Field Day - 2019
On September 19th, the District hosted the Southwest PA Grazing Field day at the Iam’s Family Farm, which was also awarded the PA Cleanwater Farm Award this year. Altogether we had 40 people attend the event. The field day started out at the Barn at Ike’s Place with excellent presentations from Jessica Williamson, Ph.D. and Justin Brackenrich both from Penn State Extension, James Harrold from NRCS, and Lori Sollenberger from PASA.
After lunch the group enjoyed a tour of the Iam’s farm. Bill Iams discussed their current operation, agricultural best management practices installed, and benefits for them to operate a rotational grazing system. Clint Iams also presented information on how to build a proper fence
On September 19th, the District hosted the Southwest PA Grazing Field day at the Iam’s Family Farm, which was also awarded the PA Cleanwater Farm Award this year. Altogether we had 40 people attend the event. The field day started out at the Barn at Ike’s Place with excellent presentations from Jessica Williamson, Ph.D. and Justin Brackenrich both from Penn State Extension, James Harrold from NRCS, and Lori Sollenberger from PASA.
After lunch the group enjoyed a tour of the Iam’s farm. Bill Iams discussed their current operation, agricultural best management practices installed, and benefits for them to operate a rotational grazing system. Clint Iams also presented information on how to build a proper fence
SWPG Fall Field Day - 2018
Indiana County Conservation District hosted the 2018 Southwest Project Grass Fall Field Day and Pasture walk on the Dave Pounds Farm. October 4th brought scattered thunderstorms and roughly 40 attendees out to the Marion Center based farm. The day started out with rain and the presentation of the PACD Clean Farm Award to Farm owner Dave Pounds for the conservation work completed on farm.
The first speaker, our own Natural Resources Conservation Service Grazing Specialist JB Harrold, presented on rotational grazing systems layout and methodology. He was followed by Penn State Extensions Sjoerd Duiker who gave a great talk on integrating no-till practices into pasture renovation and the nuances of choosing pasture plants.
As the clouds cleared Dave Pounds took attendees on a tour of his rotational grazing system and explained how he has flawlessly integrated agricultural best management practices into his grazing system. The highlight of the day was touring the roofed heavy use area and manure storage area where Dave manages his 30 brood cows, as well as, the 10-year-old stream buffer and pressurized watering system.
Indiana County Conservation District hosted the 2018 Southwest Project Grass Fall Field Day and Pasture walk on the Dave Pounds Farm. October 4th brought scattered thunderstorms and roughly 40 attendees out to the Marion Center based farm. The day started out with rain and the presentation of the PACD Clean Farm Award to Farm owner Dave Pounds for the conservation work completed on farm.
The first speaker, our own Natural Resources Conservation Service Grazing Specialist JB Harrold, presented on rotational grazing systems layout and methodology. He was followed by Penn State Extensions Sjoerd Duiker who gave a great talk on integrating no-till practices into pasture renovation and the nuances of choosing pasture plants.
As the clouds cleared Dave Pounds took attendees on a tour of his rotational grazing system and explained how he has flawlessly integrated agricultural best management practices into his grazing system. The highlight of the day was touring the roofed heavy use area and manure storage area where Dave manages his 30 brood cows, as well as, the 10-year-old stream buffer and pressurized watering system.
SWPG Fall Field Day - 2017
More than 50 people attended the recent Southwest Project Grass Field and Pasture Walk at Kananga Farm in Ligonier. The farm is owned and operated by WCD Board Member and Secretary Kim Miller. After morning classroom sessions on herd health by local veterinarian, Andrew Stas, VMD, and how to use a scorecard to evaluate growth of pasture grass by J.B. Harrold, USDA, attendees had a chance to see Kim’s farm up close.
More than 50 people attended the recent Southwest Project Grass Field and Pasture Walk at Kananga Farm in Ligonier. The farm is owned and operated by WCD Board Member and Secretary Kim Miller. After morning classroom sessions on herd health by local veterinarian, Andrew Stas, VMD, and how to use a scorecard to evaluate growth of pasture grass by J.B. Harrold, USDA, attendees had a chance to see Kim’s farm up close.
SWPG Spring Field Day - 2016
After a lot of hard work and preparation the Southwest Project Grass May Field Day came and went, along with the afternoon thunder storm. Altogether we had 53 people attend. The field day started out at the Burgettstown Grange with excellent presentations from Douglas Beegle, Ph.d. and Susan Boser, both from Penn State Extension. During the break attendees had an opportunity to meet with vendors. After lunch the group traveled to High Ridge Farm, which is a local beef operation. The operators, Tom and Tyler Ulrich, discussed their current operation, agricultural best management practices installed, and benefits for them to operate a rotational grazing system.
A representative from Independent Agriculture Equipment Company also discussed the factors that could affect your fertilizer rate. A demonstration was conducted on how to pan test your spreader to evaluate spread pattern and width.
The group then broke up into 3 small groups to learn information on soil health, pasture condition scoring, pasture yield determination, and record keeping. To wrap up the day a demonstration on how to determine the application rate of manure spreaders was performed.
After a lot of hard work and preparation the Southwest Project Grass May Field Day came and went, along with the afternoon thunder storm. Altogether we had 53 people attend. The field day started out at the Burgettstown Grange with excellent presentations from Douglas Beegle, Ph.d. and Susan Boser, both from Penn State Extension. During the break attendees had an opportunity to meet with vendors. After lunch the group traveled to High Ridge Farm, which is a local beef operation. The operators, Tom and Tyler Ulrich, discussed their current operation, agricultural best management practices installed, and benefits for them to operate a rotational grazing system.
A representative from Independent Agriculture Equipment Company also discussed the factors that could affect your fertilizer rate. A demonstration was conducted on how to pan test your spreader to evaluate spread pattern and width.
The group then broke up into 3 small groups to learn information on soil health, pasture condition scoring, pasture yield determination, and record keeping. To wrap up the day a demonstration on how to determine the application rate of manure spreaders was performed.
SWPG Fall Field Day - 2015
Indiana County Conservation District hosted the 2015 SWPG Fall Field Day on October 13th, 2015 at Heritage Hill Farms in Clarksburg. The field day included a tour of the farm with a presentation by the farm manager Dustin Heeter. Heeter showed off his Registered Hereford cattle from the seat of the tractor as he hauled guests around on the hay wagon. He enlightened us on the realities of grazing on a cow-calf, forage-based operation and the obstacles faced that come with it.
Other speakers included our own Natural Resource Conservation Service Grazing Specialist JB Harrold presenting on watering systems, a local veterinarian who spoke on herd health, vaccinations and mineral interaction, as well as, ICCD staff presenting on regulations that affect the farm.
The day also included an evening pasture walk for those that could not make it to the daytime event!
Indiana County Conservation District hosted the 2015 SWPG Fall Field Day on October 13th, 2015 at Heritage Hill Farms in Clarksburg. The field day included a tour of the farm with a presentation by the farm manager Dustin Heeter. Heeter showed off his Registered Hereford cattle from the seat of the tractor as he hauled guests around on the hay wagon. He enlightened us on the realities of grazing on a cow-calf, forage-based operation and the obstacles faced that come with it.
Other speakers included our own Natural Resource Conservation Service Grazing Specialist JB Harrold presenting on watering systems, a local veterinarian who spoke on herd health, vaccinations and mineral interaction, as well as, ICCD staff presenting on regulations that affect the farm.
The day also included an evening pasture walk for those that could not make it to the daytime event!
Northwest Grazing Conference - 2015
In March, the 18th Annual Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference was held in Clarion, PA with the theme of "Finding more $Green$ in Your Grazing". During the conference, topics ranged from soil health to building a better fence while experts discussed livestock well-being, stockpiled forages, meat marketing and labeling and program funding. Bios for the speakers at the conference can be found on the conference description.
More information about the conference can be found on the Headwaters PA website.
In March, the 18th Annual Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference was held in Clarion, PA with the theme of "Finding more $Green$ in Your Grazing". During the conference, topics ranged from soil health to building a better fence while experts discussed livestock well-being, stockpiled forages, meat marketing and labeling and program funding. Bios for the speakers at the conference can be found on the conference description.
More information about the conference can be found on the Headwaters PA website.
Appalachian Grazing Conference - 2015
In March, the Appalachian Grazing Conference Planning Committee held a conference in Morgantown, WV with the theme of "Dollars & $ense of Grazing". The focus of the conference was to help grassland farmers improve productivity and profits.
For more information, visit the Appalachian Grazing Conference website at www.grazeappalachia.org.
In March, the Appalachian Grazing Conference Planning Committee held a conference in Morgantown, WV with the theme of "Dollars & $ense of Grazing". The focus of the conference was to help grassland farmers improve productivity and profits.
For more information, visit the Appalachian Grazing Conference website at www.grazeappalachia.org.
SWPG Fall Bus Tour - 2014
In the fall, SWPG hosted a Bus Tour to highlight some of the best grazing farms in Western Pennsylvania. The day consisted of visiting 2 farms in Beaver County during the morning and then 2 farms located in Butler County in the afternoon. Livestock in the different grazing operations included dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep and poultry. Highlights of the systems included an overwintering barn, watering systems, different types of fencing and strategies for drought conditions.
In the fall, SWPG hosted a Bus Tour to highlight some of the best grazing farms in Western Pennsylvania. The day consisted of visiting 2 farms in Beaver County during the morning and then 2 farms located in Butler County in the afternoon. Livestock in the different grazing operations included dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep and poultry. Highlights of the systems included an overwintering barn, watering systems, different types of fencing and strategies for drought conditions.
Spring Field day - 2014
Cambria County Conservation District hosted the 2014 SWPG Spring Field Day on May 8th. The day featured tours of three grazing operations on farms in Jackson Township. At the first stop participants were able to see a rotational grazing system for a beef herd which included a pressurized watering system utilizing a pond and roof runoff collection system as water sources. During the second stop guests were introduced to a system which supported a flock of goats. At this location a demonstration was done on pasture condition scoring. The third farm featured beef cattle in a rotational system. A rainfall simulator demonstration was conducted using plots from various locations on the farm which included, pasture, no-till, warm season grasses, tillage radishes and heavy use area. Guests were also able to see a gravity water system that uses a pond as a water source with a partially buried trough to minimize freezing.
Cambria County Conservation District hosted the 2014 SWPG Spring Field Day on May 8th. The day featured tours of three grazing operations on farms in Jackson Township. At the first stop participants were able to see a rotational grazing system for a beef herd which included a pressurized watering system utilizing a pond and roof runoff collection system as water sources. During the second stop guests were introduced to a system which supported a flock of goats. At this location a demonstration was done on pasture condition scoring. The third farm featured beef cattle in a rotational system. A rainfall simulator demonstration was conducted using plots from various locations on the farm which included, pasture, no-till, warm season grasses, tillage radishes and heavy use area. Guests were also able to see a gravity water system that uses a pond as a water source with a partially buried trough to minimize freezing.
Southwest PA Project Grass Conference - 2012
Held in Indiana PA participants had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Temple Grandin as the Keynote speaker and took part in four tour options: Cogeneration Tour, Farm Energy Tour, Grazing Systems Tour, Windgate Vineyards and Winery Tour. To read her full biography or learn more information check out the 2012 Conference Brochure.
Held in Indiana PA participants had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Temple Grandin as the Keynote speaker and took part in four tour options: Cogeneration Tour, Farm Energy Tour, Grazing Systems Tour, Windgate Vineyards and Winery Tour. To read her full biography or learn more information check out the 2012 Conference Brochure.
Past Projects:
Growing Greener Grant Reports:
June 30, 2010: Project Grass received a grant for $150,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection through the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program. The purpose of the grant was to establish demonstration farms to promote rotational grazing as both a best management practice and as a nutrient management tool. This grant provided up to 75% of the cost to install fencing for rotational grazing systems. A total of $255,290.05 was spent on demonstration farms across the 14 county region including $150,000.00 provided by the grant and $105,290.05 in matching funds, with the majority supplied by farm owners. Other matching funds came from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Redstone Turnpike Mitigation project, Pheasants Forever, other Growing Greener Grants received by Centre County Conservation District, and the USDA CREP and EQIP Programs.
View the full 2010 report
June 30, 2008: Project Grass received a grant for $159,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection through the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program. The purpose of the grant was to establish demonstration farms to promote rotational grazing as both a best management practice and as a nutrient management tool. This grant provided up to 75% of the cost to install fencing for rotational grazing systems. A total of $272,237 was spent on demonstration farms across the 14 county region including 159,000.00 provided by the grant and $113,237 in matching funds, with the majority supplied by farm owners. Other matching funds came from Ducks Unlimited, the Chesapeake Bay Program, DEP Energy Harvest and Stream Bank Fencing Programs, other Growing Greener Grants, Penn Dot, EPA section 319 funds, and the USDA CREP and EQIP Programs.
View the full 2008 report
June 30, 2010: Project Grass received a grant for $150,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection through the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program. The purpose of the grant was to establish demonstration farms to promote rotational grazing as both a best management practice and as a nutrient management tool. This grant provided up to 75% of the cost to install fencing for rotational grazing systems. A total of $255,290.05 was spent on demonstration farms across the 14 county region including $150,000.00 provided by the grant and $105,290.05 in matching funds, with the majority supplied by farm owners. Other matching funds came from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Redstone Turnpike Mitigation project, Pheasants Forever, other Growing Greener Grants received by Centre County Conservation District, and the USDA CREP and EQIP Programs.
View the full 2010 report
June 30, 2008: Project Grass received a grant for $159,000 from the Department of Environmental Protection through the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program. The purpose of the grant was to establish demonstration farms to promote rotational grazing as both a best management practice and as a nutrient management tool. This grant provided up to 75% of the cost to install fencing for rotational grazing systems. A total of $272,237 was spent on demonstration farms across the 14 county region including 159,000.00 provided by the grant and $113,237 in matching funds, with the majority supplied by farm owners. Other matching funds came from Ducks Unlimited, the Chesapeake Bay Program, DEP Energy Harvest and Stream Bank Fencing Programs, other Growing Greener Grants, Penn Dot, EPA section 319 funds, and the USDA CREP and EQIP Programs.
View the full 2008 report
Final Energy Harvest Grant Report:
Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development working with Southwest and Northwest Project Grass received and administered $96,000 in construction grant dollars to demonstrate the use of solar powered water pumps to improve environmental quality and reduce the use of energy from conventional sources on Pennsylvania livestock farming operations. The funds were obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Harvest Grant Program for this project.
View the full 2010 report
View the 2010 pictorial report
Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development working with Southwest and Northwest Project Grass received and administered $96,000 in construction grant dollars to demonstrate the use of solar powered water pumps to improve environmental quality and reduce the use of energy from conventional sources on Pennsylvania livestock farming operations. The funds were obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Energy Harvest Grant Program for this project.
View the full 2010 report
View the 2010 pictorial report