Grazing to Promote Water Quality

January 7, 2025 by Alyson Levig

Judy and Harry Worm have joined the rising number of producers becoming water quality certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This voluntary program certifies producers using conservation-minded practices to protect water quality.  Their diversified farm, Clayhill Farm and Forest, consists of 100 acres of diversified savanna, pasture/hayland, and woodland where hay, grazing livestock, firewood, and maple syrup are produced.

“The certification is a great acknowledgment of the stewardship of our farm which we strive to maintain,” Judy said. “It’s also a recognition we can present in our maple farm tours and shows us that we are continuing in the right direction!”

The Worm’s livestock grazing operation in Crow Wing County involves a balance between both pasture and silvopasture where 15 cow/calf pairs are rotated weekly throughout 2-acre paddocks during the grazing season. (Silvopasture is defined as deliberately integrating trees and grazing livestock in the same area to manage both forest products and forage). To manage fertility during winter, strategic bale grazing is used where haybales are unrolled to spread the manure out on as much pasture as possible. Overall, this management style encourages the recovery of previously grazed vegetation while also preventing soil erosion and promoting water quality.

Within their woodland acres, 18 meat goats are utilized as the primary buckthorn management effort once mechanical methods have been completed. Buckthorn is on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed list and typically becomes the sole understory plant within an invaded forest. With a visible difference after the first season of this management method, Judy and Harry are now looking into various forage options to replant to enable more grazing opportunities in the future.

“We’re always looking for ways to continue our education and networking to improve the land so we can leave it better than when we started managing it,” Judy said.

Because of this desire, the Worms have hosted (and attended) many grazing management field days through the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) and are also a part of the Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council. Their involvement is originally how they became interested in MAWQCP and having their practices reviewed and enhanced for maintaining water quality.

“As a landowner, the MAWQCP process encourages you to review your practices, learn about conservation methods, and receive guidance for future improvements,” Judy explained.

Overall, Judy and Harry’s current management practices in their farming operation result in the conservation of natural resources within Crow Wing County, where water quality is protected, and soil erosion is reduced. For more information about MAWQCP, contact the East Ottertail Soil and Water Conservation office at 218-346-9105 or visit their website: www.eotswcd.org.

Posted In: MAWQCP