10/13/2026
We had an incredible day learning and connecting at the Georgia Forage and Grassland Council Pasture Walk and Field Day at River Raised Farm in Ball Ground, GA!
Big thanks to speakers like Phillip Brown (NRCS), Lizzy Murrel, Kendrick, Bob Stuart, and everyone else for sharing so much.
A major takeaway was clarifying how USDA programs work—EQIP is designed for cost-share based on environmental benefits (like water troughs, heavy use areas, cross-fencing, and pollinator habitat) rather than being an FSA grant. It was eye-opening to realize we don't need a massive budget to start making real progress on a farm conservation plan!
When it comes to pasture and soil health, the rule of thumb is always lime first to reach that optimal 6.0–6.5 pH, or nothing else will reach its potential. We loved diving into forage mixes like clover, turnips, and vetch with dominant winter rye, as well as drilling cool-season grasses and trying Red River Crabgrass. On the flip side, we got a strong warning about foxtail—livestock won't eat it, its seed heads can cause painful gum issues, and pre-emergents like Prowl only give a few weeks of control, making mowing critical.
Utilize 47¢/ft polywire to test paddocks, track cow-days per acre, and maintain management flexibility before investing in $5/ft permanent fencing. Smartphone integration allows remote monitoring of cross-fencing setups.
Water lines should be buried 18 inches deep with frequent cut-off valves. Mobile poultry housing is best constructed using lightweight aluminum.
Byron & Katie @ River Raised Farm
