Willamette Valley Grazing Cohort

Willamette Valley Grazing Cohort

Growing Pasture-based operations - together!

Oregon Pasture Network, in partnership with the Upper Willamette Working Lands Program, is creating a peer cohort of grazing-focused producers in the Willamette Valley through funding from the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI).

This cohort will bring together early to mid-career farmers and ranchers to exchange knowledge, strengthen grazing practices, and support each other’s growth.

What is the Willamette Valley Grazing Cohort?

The Willamette Valley Grazing Cohort (WVGC) is a group of farmers and ranchers who have common goals of:

  • improving their grazing practices
  • sharing knowledge
  • building a peer-based community

Gatherings will happen both in-person and online, with the in-person meetings taking place at member farms, SWCD offices, Grange halls, and the like. Each meeting will have a topical focus with input from regional service providers and industry experts, with time for socializing and networking.

This cohort is funded by a 4-year grant from the USDA Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative that was awarded to the Upper Willamette Working Lands Program.

Who can participate?

In order to provide relevant and focused topics, the WVGC is intended for:

  • Producers with 3-10 years of grazing experience, and
  • Producers with at least $25,000 of annual gross revenue (or a goal to meet that target), and
  • Operate in the Willamette Valley

Interested in Joining?

Applications to join the WVGC are currently open for interested producers

WVGC Application Form

Additional Information and FAQ

  • I'm busy! Why should I join?

    We know that farming and ranching is more than just a job, it is often a defining part of who you are. As such, it is very common for us to devote so much of our time to our business that we have no time left for anything else.

    The goal of the WVGC is to create a network that is as important to your operation as your day to day tasks. That thing you’ve been struggling with and is taking up your time and mental energy? Someone else has gone through that, too, and a couple of hours at a cohort meeting can save you countless hours down the road. You can also do the same for others and help strengthen our regenerative food system. You will also have a built-in network to facilitate equipment sharing, buying and selling of animals, animal processing, and on and on.

    Instead of thinking, “I’m not sure I have the time for this,” we hope to turn that into, “I can’t afford not to make the time for this!”

  • How often & where will the cohort meet?

    Frequency – Monthly to every other month, likely more frequent in the off-season (monthly) and less frequent (every other month) during the growing season (Apr-Oct), for a total of 7-10 meetings per year.

    Location – A combination of on and off-farm sites is desired, with the off-farm locations during the winter months at locations like grange halls or SWCD offices and on farm at cohort member farms during the dry season.

  • Who will be facilitating the meetings?

    Content and facilitation at the meetings will be provided by staff within the groups that make up the working lands program, including:

    • Oregon Pasture Network
    • Upper WIllamette SWCD
    • OSU Extension
    • Long Tom Watershed Council 
    • Center for Rural Livelihoods

  • What can I expect to learn at the meetings?

    The meetings should be a combination of educational content and time for socializing and networking. Ideally, there would be about an hour of content and an hour for a potluck meal and socializing. Specific agenda items will be developed based on the needs of those in the cohort, but could include topics such as:

    • Forage ID
    • AMP grazing – making a grazing plan
    • Pasture recordkeeping
    • 6 Principles of soil health
    • Extending the grazing season
    • Multi-species grazing
    • Silvopasture
    • Hay – making it, selling it, buying it
    • On-farm presentations by cohort members who are doing innovative things
    • Virtual fencing (and/or other fencing options)
    • Renovating pasture
    • Managing invasive plants

  • What is the cost for participation?

    As long as the federal grant funding remains in place, there is no cost to participate.

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