Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference

A VT Gathering of Graziers

March 21, 2025 | In-Person | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

American Legion, 100 Armory Ln, Vergennes, VT 05491

A deep dive into topics specific to raising pasture-based livestock in the Vermont.

Join us for a day of networking and learning!

This event is perfect for anyone interested in grazing techniques and livestock management in Vermont. We will have presentations about grazing-related research, a workshop on improving communication on your farm, farmers sharing their No-Fence experience (with goats & beef), a farmer panel about bale grazing and filling out the new Vermont grazing template/worksheet.

Meet fellow graziers, share your experiences, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your knowledge in the field of grazing.

Tickets are $25 per person.

Lunch will be provided.

Registration is open to all, but it is required!

CONFERENCE AGENDA

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM - Annual Meeting and New Board Member Welcome

Speakers: Meghan Sheradin and Colene Reed

A review of 2024 VGFA activities and financials. A preview of 2025 activities. Welcome to new board members and recognition of outgoing board members.

10:20 AM - 11:00 AM - UVM Pasture Research Report.

Speakers: Juan Alvez

  • R1: "Researching Strategies for Improving Vermont’s Soil Health through Perennial Grazing Crop Development using Intermediate Wheatgrass (Kernza) (Funder: NRCS-CIG)

  • R2: "A novel approach to expand our understanding of alfalfa hay spoilage and improve the efficacy of hay preservatives" (Funder: NIFA-AFRI- Alfalfa)

  • R3: "Demonstrating effects of biological and mechanical compaction best management practices on soil properties" (Funder: NRCS-CIG)

11:00 AM - 11:30 PM - Pasture Insect Management

Speaker: Bryony Sands

Bryony works on pests, parasites, and beneficial insects in grazed pastures and is currently focusing on flies, ticks, and dung beetles. In this presentation, she will introduce you to the host of charismatic invertebrates that live inside a dung pat, discuss the importance of dung beetles for pasture health, and present the results of her recent research on pest fly management for grazing cattle.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - NoFence Update - Goats and Beef

Speakers: Aimee Braxmeier and Ben Notterman

Hear updates from farmers who have used the NoFence technology for their livestock.

10:20 AM - 12:00 PM - High Stakes Communication on the Farm: How to Talk to Anyone about Anything.

Speaker: Bruce Hennessey (Upstairs Breakout Space)

The focus will be on interactive skill-building and storytelling to illustrate effective communication's essential farm and business benefits, especially in high-stakes situations.

Topics will include:

  • Building Trust within your community (family, suppliers, staff, customers and regulators)

  • Checking our stories at the door: On the human instinct of creating a story to fit a set of facts, regardless of what the real story is.

  • Strategies for having hard conversations while maintaining a standard of respect for all.

  • Managing change on your farm (getting people to buy in and dealing with resistance)

  • Why being vulnerable as a leader (NOT as a farm, business, or system) makes you more effective.

  • Do you or people you work with react to challenging situations by clamming up or acting out?

  • Learn about a third way that leads to better outcomes.

  • The bedrock of resilience: relationships.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Lunch and Networking

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Bale Grazing - The Good, Bad and Ugly

Panel Moderator: Troy Bishopp

Panel Members: Amber Reed, Josh Lucas, Matt Garcia

Troy Bishopp (The Grass Whisperer) will lead a farmer-focused discussion about the art of bale grazing through the seasons. The farmer panel represents farmers from various regions of Vermont who have bale grazed in all kinds of weather. They will share their experiences.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Using the new VT grazing plan template/worksheet.

Speaker: Amber Reed

Grazing Specialist Amber Reed will take you through the new grazing worksheet (used for FAP applications and more). She will work through some real-life examples with farmers in the room. You will learn how to fill it out for use during your grazing season and for grazing-related funding programs.