By Blake Jackson
Wendell Berry’s words, “true health is not complicated or exclusive; it comes from recognizing how everyday actions link together,” set the tone for the National Grazing Lands Coalition Northeast Ultimate 2-Day Grazing School at Evermore Farms in Lindley, New York.
According to Troy Bishopp, Northeast NatGLC Regional Grazing Manager, the sold-out, hands-on event gave farmers from five states an opportunity to study grazing management directly in the field.
Hosted by John Burns and his family, Evermore Farms served as a living classroom where participants examined soil, plants, livestock and management practices firsthand.
Rather than relying on traditional classroom instruction, attendees walked the farm and evaluated grazing records, weather information, forage conditions, overseeding trials and silvopasture development.
Since March, Burns and organizers had documented management decisions and changes across the farm, allowing participants to observe their effects.
Burns’ philosophy focuses on working “in nature’s image and not against it.” A key example was his “Flerd,” which combines cattle and sheep in the same grazing system. The approach helps the farm achieve more than 325 grazing days by coordinating pasture recovery, stockpiled forage, hay production, and planned grazing impacts.
Burns emphasized three principles: “Don’t take more than half the pasture mass, leave before it starts to regrow and don’t return till the sward is fully recovered and more.”
Participants also studied forage diversity, plant growth, root development, photosynthesis, and grazing residuals. Practical demonstrations included bale grazing, high-density grazing, and repeated livestock moves during a single day.
The exercises showed how animal behavior, stocking density, and fencing decisions can affect forage and soil conditions.
Silvopasture was another major component. Burns demonstrated how trees can be integrated into productive grazing systems while providing additional forage.
Burns 60-acre silvopasture allowed participants to examine tree management, forage production and diversification opportunities. He also demonstrated converting harvested woody material into biochar for bedding and soil fertility.
Soil health activities included examining soil pits, observing roots, discussing compaction, testing water infiltration, and reviewing soil tests. The school concluded with lessons on winter grazing, alternative tree fodder and overseeding.
The event reinforced Berry’s observation: “Only by restoring the broken connections can we be healed. Connection is health.” At Evermore Farms, participants saw how strong relationships among soil, plants, livestock, people and management can support productive and resilient grazing systems.
Photo Credit: troy-bishopp
Categories: New York, General, Livestock