Beef & Sheep Pasture Walk south of Amery, Saturday, June 22, 10 AM

The NW Wisconsin Graziers Network, River Country RC&D and UW-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 10:00AM-12:00PM. 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+ head) and a small herd of Galloway cattle (18 head).

There will be a soil health discussion led by 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 & 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 Street in south central Polk County. On Hwy 46 going south of Amery, turn right (west) onto 20th Avenue go west 2.5 miles, turn right (north) onto 135th Street, go about 1/2 mile to farm on right. Coming from the south, on Hwy 46 about five 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.