Farmers and Friends of the Kickapoo River

Michael Reitz is a Restoration Ecologist with Mississippi Valley Conservancy (MVC) in La Crosse, WI. In this podcast, Michael and Robert paddle Plum Creek into the Kickapoo River, look at work in progress to restore the streambanks and floodplains onsite, and discuss the grazing planning process, managing land for grazing from the landowner's perspective, silvopasture planning, climate change action planning, managing invasive species, virtual fencing, and much more.

Joe Tyson is a Land Steward of Wholeview Farm in Viola, WI, along with his wife Nikki and their family. In this podcast, Joe and Robert paddle Camp Creek into the Kickapoo River, looking at streambanks in a continuously grazed pasture, observing the effects of recent flooding, and discussing grazing along streams, virtual fencing, custom grazing, pasture establishment, monitoring rainfall, pasture walk planning, tools for rotational grazing, benefits of grazing for birds, finding land to start farming, and much more.

Steve Kenyon is the owner of Greener Pastures Ranching, Ltd. in Edmonton, Alberta. For over 25 years, Steve has been custom grazing on leased land. By using extended grazing techniques, he is able to pasture cattle year-round. In this podcast, Steve and Robert paddle a section of the Grant River near Potosi, Wisconsin, look at the effects of runoff from a recent storm, and discuss Steve's experiences on a host of grazing-related topics including how he started his custom grazing business, examples of livestock water systems, managing land along rivers, pasture seeding with drones, adapting to wet and dry weather, building relationships with landowners, and participating in farmer-to-farmer mentorships.

Tom Lukens is Owner of Nature Nooks Retreat in Viroqua, Wisconsin, and a landowner and farmer on the West Fork of the Kickapoo River. In this podcast, Tom and Robert paddle the section of the river that flows through Tom's property and they look at several projects that Tom has done over the years including managed grazing of sheep and goats, streambank stabilization, habitat structures for turtles and trout, and wildlife habitat planting for pollinators.

Join Golden Sands RC&D Grazing Specialist Robert Bauer as he paddles the Kickapoo River with farmers to learn about the watershed, agriculture, land use, and conservation.