On September 27th Texas State University Small Producer's Initiative (SPI) and Holistic Management International (HMI) hosted a field day at Growin' On Faith Farm in Bremond, Texas, as part of the suite of management tools to help producers transition to regenerative agriculture. They also learned how Holistic Management practices can enhance farm resilience and profitability.
Farm owners John and Erin Kimbrough opened their gates to share their journey and success with Holistic Management principles. Erin, an alumna of HMI's Beginning Farmer and Rancher course from 2015, alongside John, provided an extensive tour of their operation, showcasing their deep understanding and practical application of the Holistic Management framework.
Innovation in Practice
One of the highlights of the farm tour was the Kimbroughs' dedicated HMI pasture, where they implement advanced grazing principles including high-density grazing. This demonstration area serves as a living laboratory for monitoring ecosystem performance and showcasing how intentional management can improve land health and productivity.
Dr. Ken Mix from Texas State University contributed valuable insights on soil health principles, complementing the practical demonstrations shown during the farm tour.
From Theory to Practice: Real-World Decision Making
The afternoon sessions, led by HMI Certified Educator Christine Martin, focused on developing Holistic Goals and practical applications of Holistic Management. In a powerful demonstration of transparency and peer learning, the Kimbroughs shared their own Holistic Goal with workshop participants.
The day culminated in a real-time demonstration of Holistic Management decision-testing. The group worked through an actual decision facing the Kimbroughs: whether to purchase an Ayushi bull to address their marketing conversion weak link. This interactive session brought the theoretical framework to life, showing participants exactly how Holistic Management tools can be applied to real farm decisions.
Building Community Resources and Partnerships
Javier Garza from TX USDA-NRCS presented valuable information about funding opportunities available to producers. As the Kimbroughs' NRCS representative, Garza has been instrumental in helping them secure funding that aligns with and supports their Holistic Goal, demonstrating how producers can successfully partner with federal programs while maintaining their Holistic Management principles. This collaborative approach shows how government resources can be effectively leveraged to support sustainable farming practices while honoring the farmer's unique vision and goals.
The field day demonstrated the power of peer-to-peer learning and the value of seeing Holistic Management principles in action. The Kimbroughs' willingness to share both their successes and decision-making processes provided participants with tangible examples of how these principles can be applied to create more resilient and profitable agricultural operations.
Through events like this, SPI and HMI continue to build a community of knowledgeable producers who are working to improve both their land and their bottom line through Holistic Management practices.
Also, on October 25-26, SPI and HMI welcomed eight aspiring land stewards to The Regen Ranch in Oakwood, Texas, for an intensive two-day workshop on Seasonal Grazing Strategies. Led by HMI Certified Educator Christine Martin, the intimate group size allowed for personalized attention and deep learning as participants gained practical tools to enhance their grazing operations.
Hands-on Learning in the Field
Day one kicked off with engaging soil demonstrations in our pastures. Dr. Ken Mix and Kyle Krebs from Texas State University led participants through illuminating demonstrations using a rainfall simulator and conducting aggregate tests. These hands-on demonstrations, expertly presented by the Texas State team, transformed abstract soil health concepts into tangible observations that our participants could readily apply to their own land.
The morning continued with "Reading Your Land for Productivity," where each participant learned to use our Ecosystem Health Monitoring Worksheet. This practical tool empowers land managers to make informed decisions based on what their land is telling them, rather than following rigid calendar-based management.
From Soil to Animal Management
After lunch and an informative session from our local NRCS representative, we shifted focus to animal management. The afternoon session on "Reading Animals for Productivity" equipped participants with our Daily Monitoring Worksheet, teaching them to interpret animal behavior and performance as indicators of grazing effectiveness.
Planning for Success
Day two built upon these foundational skills, moving into the practical aspects of forage assessment and grazing planning. Participants learned to use the STAC (Species composition, Total production, Animal impact, and Cover) method for evaluating their pastures, followed by an introduction to Holistic Planned Grazing.
The afternoon was dedicated to real-world application through case studies. Participants worked through the challenge of matching forage availability with stock needs and developed practical winter grazing plans. These exercises brought together everything learned over the two days into actionable planning strategies.
Impact and Outcomes
What made this workshop particularly rewarding was seeing the transformation in our participants' confidence levels. As new land stewards, many arrived feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of grazing management. However, by the final closing circle, each participant had developed a clear action plan for their operation.
"The most valuable aspect of this workshop was gaining practical tools we can implement immediately," was a common theme in participant feedback. The combination of field demonstrations, monitoring tools, and planning exercises gave them the confidence to begin implementing better grazing practices as soon as they returned home.
Looking Forward
The success of this workshop reinforces our commitment to supporting new land stewards in their regenerative agriculture journey. By providing practical tools, hands-on experience, and a supportive learning environment, we're helping build the next generation of confident and capable land managers.