Young Aspiring Farmers Compete to Design the Best Regenerative Grazing Operation
The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition hosted their first-of-its-kind contest for youth July 16 in Effingham as part of the Heart of America Grazing Conference.
Ten participants, aged 14 to 22, were given a hypothetical 50-acre plot of land and asked to plan a regenerative grazing system that allowed for easy access to water, appropriately-sized paddocks for rotational grazing, and quality forage production. The contestants were supported in their efforts by seasoned graziers and industry educators as they sketched fence lines and water access and planned their rotational strategies.
Two teams tied for first place in the post high school division: “The Green Team” of Cambell Belcher and Lily Shireman, and “The Forage Folks” of Harper Ritchey and Paycen Rogers.
The high school team of Rishi Shukla and Sidduh Thuppao, 4-H members from Bloomington, took home first place in the junior division.
Trevor Toland, longtime educator and acclaimed rotational grazing cattleman from Macomb, provided a grazing primer for the participants to study ahead of the contest and a brief training to begin the contest.
"I was pleased with the level of knowledge the participants came in with and the poise with which they presented their designs to the audience," Toland says. "They gave careful consideration to the impact on both soil health and livestock health in their strategies."
Judy Bingman, who organized the contest, said the participants ranged from experienced college kids to 4-H members with one online ag class under their belt.
"It isn't in the winning that matters — it's in the trying," Bingman said. "This was far from a contest. It was an opportunity for everyone to grow just a bit taller in a supportive environment. To learn from mentors and each other. To celebrate little victories and grow from their errors."
Mentors included ILGLC board and staff members Cliff Schutte, Ted Krauskopf, Brett Mathews, and Logan Karcher; and Jason Tower of Purdue. The contest was hosted in partnership with the Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council.