Heart of America Grazing Conference

February 19-20, 2024

Learn the innovative practices that are taking root in modern farming at the 2024 Heart of America Grazing Conference.

This two-day conference is where you’ll witness the power of ‘real farmers, real success’ firsthand. Delve into the transformative practices of pasture management, learn the secrets of soil health that underpin profitable farming, and see how native warm-season grasses and custom grazing can be game-changers for your operation. It’s not just a conference—it’s where the grassroots of farming come to life.

About Heart of America Grazing Conference

The Heart of America Grazing Conference is an annual event collaboratively organized by universities, government, and industry representatives from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. Its aim is to provide the latest grazing insights and resources to livestock producers. While it rotates among these five states, the conference welcomes anyone interested in becoming a better producer. Attendees can expect discussions on topics like grazing techniques, cover cropping, and livestock breeding. This conference is an excellent opportunity for producers to gain valuable insights and network with peers from a broader region.

About Greenacres Foundation

Greenacres Foundation stands as a beacon of regenerative farming, just a stone’s throw from downtown Cincinnati. Spanning over 1200 acres, it’s not only a model of sustainable agriculture but also an educational hub that inspires a new generation of farmers. With its hands-on approach, Greenacres is dedicated to demonstrating the best practices in agriculture, education, and the environment.

Conference Schedule 

Monday 2/19

10:00AM – Registration & Coffee/Pastries

10:30AM – Michael Cox – Welcome and Introduction to Greenacres

10:45AM – Dan Glenn, Deep Grass Graziers Farm – Choosing and developing cattle genetics to suit your needs

11:45AM – Break

11:50AM – Monte Bottens, Illinois Crop & Livestock Farmer – Farming thousands of row-crop cares and improving margins through cover crops and livestock

12:50PM – Lunch

1:30PM – Trudy Ohlde, Ohlde Family Farm

2:30PM – 5 Min. Break

2:35PM – Lyda Garcia, Ohio State University – How animal handling directly affects meat quality and carcass price

3:35PM – Break

3:40PM – Rick Clark, Farm Green – Farming Green and the Economic Benefits of Regenerative Practices

4:40PM- Dinner & Panel Discussion with Session Speakers

6:00PM – End of Day

Tuesday 2/20

9:00AM – Registration & Coffee/Pastries

9:30AM – Rick Clark, Farm Green – Farming Green and the Economic Benefits of Regenerative Practices

10:30AM – Break

10:35AM – Jim Linne, White Clover Farm, grass-fed beef farmer and retired gastroenterology physician – Finishing grass-fed beef and the financials of direct to consumer marketing

11:35AM – Lunch

12:15PM – Matt Isaacs, Isaacs Angus Farm; Cattle producer and winner of 2023 Kentucky Forage and Grasslands Council Spokesperson Competition – Grazing lessons from a successful local grazer.

1:15PM – Break

1:20PM – Dr. Jason Salchow, Missouri custom grazier, veterinarian, and per-course professor at Missouri State University – How to build a profitable custom grazing operation from scratch to over 600 head

2:20PM – Break

2:25PM – Chad Bitler, Research Director, Greenacres Foundation – Native Warm Season Grasses can benefit a grazing farm, provided they are established correctly

3:25PM – Break

3:30PM – Max Nova, COO of NCX – Natural capital programs: a new revenue stream for landowners

4:00PM – Wrap Up and Thank You – Michael Cox

4:15PM – End of Day

Registration includes: 

• Coffee and pastries each day
• Lunch each day
• Dinner on Monday evening

Registration for this event is now closed. 

Guests are responsible for their own travel and lodging. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn, 6288 Tri Ridge Blvd., Loveland, OH 45140. To access this block, please contact Christina Dunaway, Director of Sales, at 513-576-0879.

Sponsorship Information 

Thank you for your interest in sponsoring this conference! Sponsorship packages can be purchased from our ticketing page. Sponsorship includes:

• Your logo on a slideshow to run throughout the conference
• Verbal thanks and recognition from speakers throughout the conference
• Table space to display up to two company handouts
• Your logo on the ticketing page
• 2 admissions to the conference

Please call 513-407-5174 with any questions.

Thank you to our event sponsors!