The Eastern Ohio Grazing Council will host its first pasture walk of the year at a Jefferson County beef farm.

The April 27 event is at Geno Morelli’s Farm (formerly the Straus Farm) at 84 Main St., Rayland. Morelli runs about 40 head of beef on this farm as a part of his overall operation, which includes several other farms.

Topics will include:
• Excluding Streams, Ponds, and Woodlands, by Wendee Zadanski, Jefferson SWCD
• Livestock Water Needs, by Clint Finney, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• How to split a farm into paddocks, held as an open discussion

To register, contact Carroll SWCD at 330-627-9852. Note that while the address is Rayland, this farm is located just east of Smithfield on State Route 151.

Other upcoming pasture walks are May 25 at 6 p.m. in Harrison County, and June 22 at 6 p.m. in Columbiana County.

Pasture walks are normally held on the fourth Thursday of the month April through October on various farms throughout Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning and Tuscarawas counties.

In January, February and March, the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council hosts winter workshops. Those interested in the conservation of soil and water through growing and grazing forages is encouraged to attend the monthly meetings.

The council’s mission is to promote conservation of soil and water by growing and grazing forages and to serve as advocates for sustainable and environmentally sound grazing practices. Anyone interested in attending the events for 2017 should contact the Carroll SWCD at 330-627-9852 to be placed on the mailing list.

Sponsors include Carrollton Farmers Exchange, Circle L Fence Ltd., Farm Credit Mid-America, Nationwide–Kim Davis Insurance Agency LLC, and Straight A’s Ranch Supply.

For more information, visit the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council on Facebook.

Source: Mahoning SWCD