_{IT DEPENDS}

A Grazing Presentation

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by: Andrew Lewis

Overview of Program

• Title: It Depends: A Grazing Presentation

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• Facilitator: Extension Educator

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• Audience: Landowners (blended audience of multi-generational and small acreage landowners)

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• Timeframe: 1 hour with questions 

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• Purpose: 
• Explain the difference between grazing acres and actual acres
• Build foundational understanding for sustainable grazing management
• Connect grazing calculations to climate-smart agriculture practices
• Highlight how proper grazing management helps prevent overgrazing
• Emphasize benefits for soil nutrient cycling and green grass regrowth

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Where to Begin?

• Why did you choose this topic?
• I chose this topic because it addresses a common issue I see in my area. While some landowners practice effective land management, others with smaller acreages often struggle with overgrazing, resulting in bare ground and poor pasture health. This presentation aims to raise awareness and promote better grazing strategies to support long-term land sustainability.
• Educator Realization:
• Meaningful change happens when landowners adopt new practices by seeing successful examples from their neighbors.

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Resource Highlights

• What resources do you recommend to share with landowners?
• NRCS Grazing Yard Stick
• Numerous websites and videos focused on grazing
• Educator Realization:
• Tools like the NRCS Grazing Stick are valuable for both new and experienced landowners to better understand grass quality and make informed grazing decisions.
• Building trust through deep, one-on-one conversations with landowners is key to transferring land stewardship knowledge.
• Using Google Earth or other tools during conversations with landowners can spark powerful “aha” moments, helping landowners visualize their property and brainstorm management strategies.

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Advice to Extension Educators

• When you first get started in a job, it can be nerve racking to have one-on-one conversations with landowners.
• I quickly learned that casual conversations over breakfast or lunch are often the most effective and comfortable.
• Getting out of the office and into the field helps build trust, strengthen relationships, and create space for more open, honest dialogue.

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• I hope you can use these slides as a building blocks based on your audiences

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THANK YOU!