LANDOWNER SERVICES

Free Technical Assistance provided in partnership with NRCS.

There will be a Grassroots Grazing Group pasture walk at a local farm in Lincoln, AR on Saturday, September 13th. Join us!

Meet local producers working to improve their livestock management through rotational grazing and other innovative practices.

Lincoln Pasture Walk Event Registration

Grassroots Grazing Group Facebook Page

Landowner Services Program Benefits:

On-site visits and recommendations.
Conservation and Green Infrastructure plans.
Guidance in collaborating with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for nutrient and forestry planning.
Assistance with funding programs.
Participating in networking events such as pasture walks, field tours, and educational lunches.

Below are some of the practices that can be implemented on your operation through this program.

· Forest Management Plans

· Timber stand improvement

· Firebreaks

· Prescribed burning

· Wildlife habitat planting

· Tree and shrub establishment

· Riparian Forest Buffer

· Streambank Stabilization

· Herbaceous Weed Control

· Waste Storage Facility

· Animal Mortality Facility

· Prescribed Grazing

· Annual Forages for Grazing Systems

· Pasture and Hay Planting

· Fence

· Livestock pipeline

· Watering Facility

· Heavy Use Areas

In November of 2023, we launched a new phase of the Landowner Services Program funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Our goal is to reach at least 100 landowners that are interested in implementing water quality improvement practices on their land, farm, or homestead. If you are interested in any of the practices listed or wish to stay up to date on events such as Pasture Walks, Field Tours, and Lunch and Learns complete the form below.

Billboard Messages, Decoded

How Do I Conserve My Land?

What is conservation? Conservation is the intentional management and protection of natural resources. Ultimately, conservation seeks to balance human, cattle, poultry, land, soil, and water needs. If your streambank is eroding, you may have a clear idea of what conservation could mean to you. If you mange cattle, conservation may look like managing water a little differently, usually to the benefit of all listed above, and we have some ways to help.
Rivers Need To Breathe: Preserve Floodplains and Wetlands

Much like lungs require space to expand within the chest cavity, rivers need adequate room along their banks and tributaries to accommodate fluctuations during volatile rain events. By maintaining a minimum 100-foot riparian buffer—essentially the vegetated areas alongside the creek or river—avoiding the filling in of wetlands, and minimizing development and disturbance in the floodplain, we can effectively protect our rivers from erosion while safeguarding homes and infrastructure from flooding.
Wanted: Farmers Ready to Improve the Land and Their Operation

Rotational grazing is a sustainable land management practice that enhances soil health, increases biodiversity, and boosts farm productivity. By dividing pastures into smaller sections and rotating livestock through these areas, farmers can promote the regrowth of grass, reduce overgrazing, and allow land to recover. This method not only leads to healthier animals but also improves water retention in the soil and minimizes erosion. Implementing rotational grazing can transform agricultural operations, driving profitability. With some changes to how you approach land and water, you can improve the health of your land and the water for your family as well as neighbors downstream.
Well... What is a Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls as rain or snow drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It includes all the streams and rivers that flow into that body of water, along with the land surfaces that contribute to this drainage. Each watershed is defined by a boundary, often created by hills or mountains that direct the flow of water. As you can imagine, water does not flow along with our jurisdictional lines, so this is way to manage natural resources. If you are reading this, you may live or work in the Illinois River Watershed, but no matter where you are, you are in a watershed!
Water Quality Starts in Your Lawn

We often say, "what's beneficial on land can be detrimental in water," particularly regarding lawn fertilizers. Additionally, wastewater, agricultural runoff, and streambank erosion introduce nutrients into the water. Maintaining healthy, dense native vegetation (which doesn’t need fertilizer!)— especially a Riparian Buffer— can stabilize our streams and improve the quality of our water. A riparian buffer is the land adjacent to the stream, critical for water quality protection. https://www.irwp.org/rrp
Where to put lawn debris like grass cuttings and leaves?

While beneficial algae play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems, serving as a food source for various organisms and contributing to oxygen production, the overabundance of nutrients can trigger large algal blooms. These blooms, sometimes dominated by toxic species, can lead to oxygen depletion in the water and produce toxins harmful to aquatic life and humans. Properly disposing of your lawn debris— leaving it on the ground to decompose away from where it would wash into a storm drain or waterway— is best practice.
The Perfect Lawn

You may not think that your lawn has much of an impact on the world beyond your block, but it does! We have been trained over generations to appreciate lawns and open space as that are uniform with grass freshly cut short and free of ruffage. Let‘s rethink our vision of a perfect lawn. Read more here: https://www.irwp.org/stories/the-perfect-lawn
We All Live Downstream

What we do in the headwaters, or upstream, affects what happens downstream. Consider invasive Chinese Privet. When the berries are washed into creeks in the headwaters, they contribute to the proliferation of that invasive species downstream. Learn more about invasive plants here: https://www.irwp.org/invasivespecies
Our Rivers Have Had It Up to "Here"

In our watershed, we lose annually 20 acres of land to erosion. They call it “death by 1000 cuts” for a reason. Protect banks from erosion, leave vegetation for 100 feet along streamsides. Learn more at irwp.org/sbe
Get to Know Your Local Lakes, Rivers, and Streams

Part of the beauty of this watershed and region is the abundance of surface water we have! For your next outing, explore a stream near your home. Learn it’s name and where it flows to. Sams River Runner is a great tool to watch water flow!
Teach Them About Their Watershed

The biggest impact we can have on the future of the watershed is with our youth. Get lessons on our Online Learning Center or book a field trip with our Youth Education Specialist at www.irwp.org/youtheducation.