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Regenerative Pasture Management with Rotational Grazing and Biochar

  • The May Farm 1725 Graves Road Frankfort, MI, 49635 United States (map)

Join us for an intimate regenerative agriculture workshop at The May Farm focused on rotational grazing and biochar. You must register here in advance to attend (you may also contact program coordinator, Daniel to register directly - email daniel@crosshatch.org or call 231-714-9730).

“Ultimately, the only wealth that can sustain any community, economy or nation is derived from the photosynthetic process - green plants growing on regenerating soil.” - Allan Savory, Savory Institute

Paul May is one of NW Michigan’s most attentive regenerators of the soil. He’s a fiercely dedicated “grass farmer” who is committed to sharing key practices for regenerative land management. Paul has much practical and philosophical advice to offer both aspiring and experienced land stewards.

We’ll join Paul for his morning chores, while soil scientist Tim Overdier and entomologist Nate Walton, Ph.D., add to his insights regarding the May Farm’s livestock management practices, and the many ways they impact the health of the soil, farm resilience, ecosystem diversity, and economic prosperity. This will be a "walk and talk" with plenty of time for questions.

Then we will gather around a biochar fire for a catered lunch from Oryana Community Co-op (included with your registration). Paul and Tim will demonstrate and discuss best practices in making and using biochar, including important ecological contexts for ensuring the best soil management outcomes.

This will be a special videotaped event—think of it as a “live concert recording” for one of regenerative farming’s rock stars, which means it may include second takes and other production-minded moments. Registration is highly limited to keep the audience small and consent for video taping and reuse will be requested as you complete registration.

Accessibility

This tour is held on natural landscape without accessibility improvements. Be prepared to move across rough and uneven terrain, and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Please contact Program Coordinator, Daniel to discuss conditions and accommodations specific to this tour (call 231-622-5252 or email daniel@crosshatch.org). Young adults are welcome. Children are welcome too, if a responsible adult is supervising them at all times.

COVID-19

We reserve the ability to cancel and reschedule this event based on COVID-19 trends in Michigan and in NW Michigan specifically. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or simply don’t feel well in any way, please stay home. We strongly encourage following this guidance from the CDC : "Given what we know about the Delta variant, vaccine effectiveness, and current vaccine coverage, layered prevention strategies, including wearing masks, are needed to reduce the transmission of this variant.”

Rechedule Date

In the event of rain, inclement weather or insufficient registration, this event will be rescheduled to Saturday, October 2nd. All prior registrations will be honored or refunded.

Earlier Event: August 17
Hazelnuts in Agroforestry Twilight Tour
Later Event: November 3
Twilight Tour at the Weinrich Farm