USARAAI SUMMIT 2021
Part 1
By the first of 2020 plans were already in the works for Summit 2020. Speakers had been contacted, and agenda was being put together…and the rug got pulled out from under everything. COVID19 rolled across the US and life came to a screeching halt. There would be no Summit.
Work continued at the non-profit Farm Campus. Raised beds were being built, a garden laid out, and plans were coming together for a greenhouse or two. It was slow going. The ground was hard-packed, and it was going to take some time to get it ready for plants. We started with the basics: cardboard topped with soil and manure, then very old hay. The raised beds were planted, and the groundhogs found them. The first year was one of many attempts and failures, and a few successes. We needed accessible water, and more hands to do the work, but it was underway.
2021 came and hopes for a Summit were discussed. During the first of the year most of us were still in lockdown to some degree. COVID19 was still quite active. It was decided that we were going to shoot for another September Summit. Once again speakers were contacted, and the planning began.
Where would we have it this year? Contacts were made and it was decided to book the beautiful 4-H Camp, here in Greeneville. There would be plenty of room, they would handle meal prep, and there were even rooms folks could rent. Tickets were prepared and our invitation went public, not knowing what the response would be, in light of the pandemic.
Fast forward to September 22nd – the beginning of USARAAI Summit 2021. The coffee was brewing as we sat out breakfast items and prepared for the guests, and they began to gather. There were people from all over the US, coming together to learn a better way to bring life back to tired soil, learn good pasture management, and become profitable. They wouldn’t be disappointed.
The first speaker was Greg Judy, who’s a well-known cattle farmer in Missouri. He speaks at many conferences and has an online presence, followed by many. He spoke about setting up a grazing operation from ground zero.
The theme continued with Dr. Allen Williams, of Understand Ag LLC. Dr Williams has been a teacher of better soil practices for many years, all over the world. He spoke on adaptive stewardship, which involves being aware and responsible for the land you have.
The next to speak was Teddy Gentry, of the music group Alabama. He’s also the developer of the South Poll breed of cattle. He spoke on having a profitable cow/calf operation.
Russ Wilson, of Wilson Land & Cattle, in Pennsylvania, had an interesting presentation on managing pastures for 300 plus days of grazing per year. He taught about learning how to know you forage stockpile and how to rotate cattle to make it last. His aim was to get away from needing to buy supplemental hay or feed.
Another cattleman with a following, Greg Brann, showed us how his processes for multispecies grazing and proper land management works. With more then 40 years of land and pasture management, and the owner of Synergistic Grazing Management, his insight into soil health and all it represents is practical.
There were several breaks during the day for refreshments and mingling. Friendships were made over the three days, I’m sure, as these farmers compared their experiences and needs. There was also ample time for questions to the speakers. They also ate with the attendees and continued to answer questions.
Of course, the lunch, just as it was in 2019, didn’t disappoint. The menus for the three days included grass-fed beef, bratwurst, pulled pork from a pasture-raised hog, pasture-raised chicken, and some of the most delicious hand-prepared sides and trimmings anyone could want, fresh from local growers. If there was room in the belly after all this, there were a variety of scrumptious homemade desserts. One couldn’t say they left hungry!
