Topic: Establishing Diverse Silvopasture for Multi-Species Grazing
Silvopasture, an agroforestry practice, is more than turning livestock loose in the woods. It’s an intentional mixing and managing of trees, forage, and livestock that has its own set of challenges and benefits.
Join us at Fox Holler Farmstead, an ecologically designed and focused community-based farm in northeast Missouri, as Ben Brownlow teaches us how he established his trees and the conservation, soil health, livestock well-being, and economic benefits he’s working to address through intentional silvopasture management.
Ben will show us how to safeguard tree roots and minimize browsing and rubbing of trunks and branches, how to plan a new silvopasture, and the evolution of and lessons learned from his silvopasture project.
Light meal and refreshments will be available following the Field Day.
Field Day Highlights
- Choosing and establishing diverse tree cropping systems for humans, livestock, and wildlife
- Responsible pasture management with trees
- Managing complex multi-species pasturing (cattle, goats, swine and poultry)
- Fodder crops and coppice agroforestry
- Underpass tree protection system
- Silvopasture by subtraction
- Canopy density measurements and forest health practices
- Choosing and establishing native, warm-season forage
- Using livestock to cash-flow long-term investment in orchard crops
NRCS Programs: NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help producers integrate native warm-season grasses into their grazing systems. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other Farm Bill programs help producers cover part of the costs for implementing conservation practices like prescribed grazing, brush management, biomass and forage planting, and fencing.
Free Trees + Trees for Sale:
Farmers who attend this Field Day can take home 3 trees on us! Additional trees are available for purchase ($8-12 ea; cash, PayPal, and Vemo accepted). All trees are in 3-4″ air-prune deep pots (8-10″ deep). Varieties include: American persimmon, shagbark hickory, pecans, and hicans; and a limited supply of the following: bur oak, chestnut, red mulberry, thornless honey locust, silver maple, and seedling apple.
Microgrants:
Farmers who attend this Field Day are eligible to apply for a microgrant.
Known & Grown will provide reimbursement up to $1000 for expenses related to planting trees and implementing agroforestry practices. Allowable expenses include the purchase of trees, tree protection, and/or temporary fencing. Microgrant recipients may request a 30-minute phone conversation with farmer, Ben Brownlow to discuss their project. Limited in-person/hands-on support for project implementation may be available. Additional details will be provided during the event, and a link will be shared via email for all attendees following the event.
All Known & Grown Field Days occur rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and the terrain. Many Field Days include walking through tall grasses or fields, on uneven or muddy surfaces, around equipment and in a range of weather conditions.
We recommend that you bring:
- Close-toed shoes (comfortable for walking)
- Sun protection (cap or hat, sunscreen)
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho (depending on the forecast)
- Personal snacks (While we will try to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, we cannot guarantee this at every event.)
- Your family (Children are welcome with adults! Please be mindful of the potential dangers on a working farm, including electric fence, difficult terrain, animals and equipment.)
Please DO NOT bring:
- Dogs or other pets (service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are permitted)
- Professional camera or recording equipment, photos for personal use are acceptable
- Promotional materials or solicitations, unless you are invited to do so
We ask for special attention to biosecurity at events with livestock. While this is good practice at all farms, clean shoes and clothes are particularly important due to the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other livestock pathogens.
Wear clean shoes or boots that have not been worn on other farms with livestock or livestock buildings, or around a dense population of wild birds. Upon request of the farmer host, you may be asked to disinfect shoes or boots upon arrival. Wear clean clothes that have not been worn around other livestock.
Free Travel Shuttle from St Louis:
Known & Grown is offering a free shuttle service from St Louis to Rutledge. Shuttle pick-up will be at the Brentwood Park-Rides (Brentwood I-64 Transit Center 8398 Eager Road, St. Louis, MO 63144), with the option of additional overpass/exit stops along the route. Please select the carpool option on the registration form and we will follow up with additional details. We will arrive in Rutledge for lunch around 12pm. You will have the option of bringing your own lunch or purchasing a box lunch, which will be available on arrival. You must register by Jun 1 to participate in the shuttle.
Optional Lunch Order:
Considering many of you will be making a long drive, we are offering the option to purchase a box lunch for $15 from the Bread Garden. Please plan to arrive by 1230pm so you have enough time to eat your meal before the start of the Field Day. Lunch orders need to be placed by 12pm on Thu, Jun 4th. As mentioned above, there will also be a light meal and refreshments provided following the field day.
Parking:
Parking is available at the main entrance to Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage
Restrooms:
On-site restrooms are available
Mobility, Accessibility, & Other Considerations:
- This will be a heavy walking tour with uneven surfaces. Walking through pastures, you may encounter ticks. We recommend bringing your preferred tick repellant and checking for ticks after returning home.
- You will experience uneven surfaces for walking.
- Rain prior to the event may cause the ground to be muddy.
- Collapsible stools are available for mobile seating.
- Cooling neck fans are available for temperature regulation.
- For larger crowds, a mic and portable speaker will be used.
Children:
Children are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian. Note in your registration if you intend to bring any kids along. Please consider that we will be doing a lot of walking.
Questions?
Please contact Serena: Serena@GatewayFarmers.org or 314.561.7010 Ext 2
The Field Day series is supported by:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines