Field day will explore multi-species grazing, NRCS funding options for livestock
When Bill and Stacey Borrenpohl bought their eastern Iowa farm in 2011, it was brimming with hard-to-manage invasive species like multiflora rose and honeysuckle. The couple soon began the lengthy—and ongoing—process of managing the invasives and transforming their pastures back to a productive state.
The Borrenpohls raise Lowline cattle, hogs, chickens and meat goats on pasture at Woven Strong Farm near La Motte, and their goal as they work to restore their farm is to balance conservation with production.
“We wanted to use non-chemical means to control the invasive species,” Stacey says. “Bill would go into the overgrown fields with his chainsaw in the winter to knock back the multiflora rose, so it’s not so woody. Then we let the goats into the pasture in the spring.”
After a few years of undertaking this, and other, work on their own, the Borrenpohls learned about conservation programs available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service that would help pay for their restoration efforts. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, they have since made many infrastructure improvements to their farm, including adding paddocks and water systems, and improving their fencing.
Bill and Stacey will share their experience using NRCS programs, as well as their multi-species grazing management practices, at a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day they are hosting on June 28 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., near La Motte (23078 Centerville Road, about 4 miles northwest of town).
The event—“Conservation Infrastructure on a Diverse Livestock Farm”—is free to attend, and will feature a farm tour. Bill and Stacey will discuss their infrastructure improvements and highlight different areas of their farm that are in various stages of the restoration process. The Borrenpohls have also been working to grow their direct-market customer base and will share their approach to doing this.
In addition, guests will hear from Lori Schnoor, a district conservationist with the NRCS. Lori has been working with the Borrenpohls and will discuss their conservation plan and ways they have used EQIP to execute this plan.
“We have found it beneficial to partner with a local NRCS office to find out what programs are available,” Stacey says. “The extra support makes a big difference. Bill and I both come from farming families, but we didn’t know those programs were available. I think new farmers, or farmers who graze and want to see what programs are available, will benefit by attending this field day.”
Directions from Dubuque: Take U.S. 61 south to Haxbylane Road and turn left (east). In 1.5 miles, Haxbylane becomes Centerville Road. Continue on this for about 0.3 mile; the farm is on the north side of the road.
From Maquoketa: Take U.S. 61 north to Haxbyland Road and turn right. In 1.5 miles, Haxbylane becomes Centerville Road. Continue on this for about 0.3 mile; the farm is on the north side of the road.
Note: GPS and online maps correctly locate the road, but often improperly locate the address of the farm.
Practical Farmers’ 2018 field days are supported by several sustaining and major sponsors, including: Albert Lea Seed; Applegate Natural & Organic Meats; Blue River Organic Seed; Cascadian Farms; Center for Rural Affairs; Farm Credit Services of America; Gandy Cover Crop Seeders; Grain Millers, Inc.; Green Cover Seed; Green Thumb Commodities; Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance; Iowa Beef Center; Iowa State University Department of Agronomy; Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE); ISU Extension and Outreach; La Crosse Forage and Turf Seed; MOSA Organic Certification; Natural Resources Defense Council; Organic Valley / Organic Prairie; PepsiCo; Pipeline Foods; Premier 1 Supplies; Sunrise Foods International; The DeLong Company; The Fertrell Company; The Scoular Company; Unilever; University of Iowa College of Public Health (I-CASH); USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service; Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture; and Welter Seed & Honey Co.
