Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Grazing Grass. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Grazing Grass or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

199. Soil-First Grazing and Earned Efficiency with Rachel Bouressa

1:16:33
 
Share
 

Manage episode 522380729 series 2817733
Content provided by Grazing Grass. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Grazing Grass or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a barn fire, she rebuilt her operation using perennial forages, diverse annuals, and a willingness to experiment. Today she’s deeply involved with Grassworks, Wisconsin Farmers Union, NRCS conservation planning, women-in-conservation mentoring, and the Upper Fox Wolf Demonstration Farm Network—all while running a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business.

Topics Covered in This Episode

  • Rebuilding the family farm after a barn fire and starting with just 15 acres
  • Developing a soil-first grazing philosophy and “earned efficiency”
  • Working closely with NRCS and building strong planner–farmer relationships
  • Converting row-crop ground back to pasture using rye, diverse cool-season mixes, and sorghum-Sudan
  • Choosing cattle genetics: British White Parks, Devons, and Murray Greys
  • Direct-to-consumer beef sales and transitioning to Barn2Door
  • Extending the grazing season toward Christmas
  • Audubon Bird-Friendly certification and creating habitat value

Why You Should Listen

If you’re looking for a grounded, real-world example of what soil-first grazing looks like in practice, Rachel brings hard-earned wisdom, humility, and a spirit of experimentation. Her story is full of practical insights—from pasture renovation to breed selection to extending the grazing season—and she offers a refreshingly honest look at the challenges and rewards of growing a regenerative, community-connected grazing operation.

Resources Mentioned

  • Grassworks Conference
  • NRCS grazing resources
  • Audubon Conservation Ranching Program
  • Wendell Berry — Unsettling of America, The Gift of Good Land
  • Fred Provenza — Nourishment

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture.

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Original Music by Louis Palfrey

  continue reading

199 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 522380729 series 2817733
Content provided by Grazing Grass. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Grazing Grass or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a barn fire, she rebuilt her operation using perennial forages, diverse annuals, and a willingness to experiment. Today she’s deeply involved with Grassworks, Wisconsin Farmers Union, NRCS conservation planning, women-in-conservation mentoring, and the Upper Fox Wolf Demonstration Farm Network—all while running a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business.

Topics Covered in This Episode

  • Rebuilding the family farm after a barn fire and starting with just 15 acres
  • Developing a soil-first grazing philosophy and “earned efficiency”
  • Working closely with NRCS and building strong planner–farmer relationships
  • Converting row-crop ground back to pasture using rye, diverse cool-season mixes, and sorghum-Sudan
  • Choosing cattle genetics: British White Parks, Devons, and Murray Greys
  • Direct-to-consumer beef sales and transitioning to Barn2Door
  • Extending the grazing season toward Christmas
  • Audubon Bird-Friendly certification and creating habitat value

Why You Should Listen

If you’re looking for a grounded, real-world example of what soil-first grazing looks like in practice, Rachel brings hard-earned wisdom, humility, and a spirit of experimentation. Her story is full of practical insights—from pasture renovation to breed selection to extending the grazing season—and she offers a refreshingly honest look at the challenges and rewards of growing a regenerative, community-connected grazing operation.

Resources Mentioned

  • Grassworks Conference
  • NRCS grazing resources
  • Audubon Conservation Ranching Program
  • Wendell Berry — Unsettling of America, The Gift of Good Land
  • Fred Provenza — Nourishment

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture.

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Original Music by Louis Palfrey

  continue reading

199 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play