Red Grouse Farm Dedicated to Sustainable Approach
It is no surprise the Earth is in the news. A rapidly heating planet bursting at the seams with mouths to feed is a wake-up call to do something. That one can embrace nature and all living things and make a difference is not a revolutionary thought, or perhaps it is. Regenerative farms are committed to improving the land and revitalizing the Earth naturally, so as to preserve it for future generations.
Becky and Richard Schleis, owners of Red Grouse Farm in Kewaunee County, are dedicating their lives to sustainable agriculture.
They recognize that nature and all living things are connected. The technique they espouse is to farm with nature for nature. They believe the needs of our world can be met in a way that allows natural areas of the earth to thrive. By nurturing and creating new habitats, they are facilitating nature’s ability to heal itself. It is an old idea made new again. They are working to bring back methods used by generations of our ancestors before technology and chemistry shaped the farm industry.
Richard grew up on his family’s farm in an area near where he and Becky now call home. Both work off the farm as well, as is quite common, given the costs and challenges that are a reality in farming. Becky’s background lies in healthcare, where she focuses on promoting health and the prevention of disease. It is the perfect marriage of skills and experience that allows them to fulfi ll their mission. Currently, three of their four children actively participate in the farm work. Farming here is more than a process; it is a lifestyle.
The farm sits in the middle of a vast countryside of active cropland mostly void of trees. As I turned down the winding driveway along the picturesque split rail fence, I drove into a much different landscape. The setting is thick with trees, not one of which was there when Richard and Becky began this journey. They planted each tree after complying with a surprising zoning requirement to obtain a variance in order to do so on their farm. They have had to overcome obstacles and attitudes regarding their farming methods.
Walking down the path to the front porch of their home, I found myself in a habitat they created and now nurture. Pine trees and birch trees were decorated with fruit, suet and other delicious temptations to entice birds. A lilting symphony of song permeated the air. I found myself sidetracked by the many varieties of birds I watched, and got a sense that at least here, all was right with the world.
... The animals are herded to pasture square one, where temporary fencing is set up. For a designated short period of time, they remain in this pasture. They trample the pasture, trim it by eating the vegetation and treat (fertilize) it with manure, urine and saliva. When grazing time has ended, the fencing and the animals are moved to the next pasture or square. The process is repeated two to three times during grazing season. The intense limited grazing of the pastures, trampling and fertilizing contributes to the health of the soil and the ecosystems beneath the surface. This technique allows them to produce nutrient-rich products, including grass-fed meats ...
Here's looking at you. Contributed photo.
SOIL HOLDS THE KEY
To understand the basis of sustainable farming at Red Grouse Farm, one can begin by looking down: It is the soil beneath one’s feet that holds the key. Healthy soil is nutrient-rich, benefitting the animals grazing upon it and the crops growing in it. Using cover crops and the no-till method of farming allows organic matter to build up in the soil in diverse pastures. The root system in a diverse pasture is complex, with roots and fungi at varying depths in the soil. Healthy soil retains water, reduces the possibility of flooding on fields and serves to prevent erosion. It is also an abundant nutrition source for the animals.
One practice of this type of farming is Adaptive Grazing, which rotates the animals grazing activity in sequential pastures so the animals can impact each one. This way, no pasture is depleted (no synthetic fertilizer needed) and the farm promotes healthy ecosystems on a broad scale.
This method relies heavily on setting up and moving temporary fencing. It is both labor-intensive and effective. Think of it in terms of a checkerboard with each square a separate pasture.
Left: Cows grazing in Red Grouse's scenic Kewaunee County pasture. Right: Richard practicing regenerative agriculture. Contributed photos.
The animals are herded to pasture square one, where temporary fencing is set up. For a designated short period of time, they remain in this pasture. They trample the pasture, trim it by eating the vegetation and treat (fertilize) it with manure, urine and saliva. When grazing time has ended, the fencing and the animals are moved to the next pasture or square. The process is repeated two to three times during grazing season. The intense limited grazing of the pastures, trampling and fertilizing contributes to the health of the soil and the ecosystems beneath the surface. This technique allows them to produce nutrient-rich products, including grass-fed meats.
Stewardship of the land, leaving it and the Earth better off than you found it, is just one goal of the Schleises. They strive to educate people about their farming practices. “The hardest thing to change” says Richard, “is someone’s mind.” They welcome the public to the farm for mid-season organic strawberry picking, to purchase their raw honey, eggs and grass-fed meats and to educate them on where their food comes from. They set an example daily of how to care for the Earth. Their passion in this pursuit is evident, their enthusiasm palpable. Farming with nature, they believe, just makes sense.
Red Grouse Farm LLC is located at N1164 Townhall Road in Kewaunee. Information about the farm and opportunities to visit, pick strawberries and purchase nutrient rich products, as well as many great pictures and videos, can be found on the Red Grouse Farm Facebook Page.
