MNGLCA - A Powerflex Partner and Intensive Grazing Pioneer

The MNGLCA is a grassroots, non-profit organization formed with a mission to promote the health and sustainability of Minnesota's expansive grazing lands, which cover approximately 4.63 million acres. Since its incorporation in 2009, MNGLCA has been working tirelessly to educate, support, and connect livestock producers, conservationists, and landowners on the best practices for grazing land management.

MNGLCA states that their primary goals are expanding education and networking in order to enhance the profitability for ranchers. These initiatives can be categorized in the following ways: 

•  Education and Mentorship:  MNGLCA believes in the power of knowledge. Through various educational programs, they educate farmers and ranchers on the art and science of management intensive grazing. This includes everything from the basics of rotational grazing to introducing cutting-edge technology within the grazing industry. 
  
  
•  Conservation Projects:  They actively participate in and promote projects aimed at improving soil health, enhancing water quality, and increasing biodiversity. Recent initiatives have seen partnerships with larger bodies like the USDA, focusing on expanding conservation technical assistance for livestock producers.
  
  
•  Community Engagement:  Through events, workshops, and a calendar filled with opportunities for grazers to meet, learn, and share experiences, MNGLCA fosters a community committed to regenerative practices.
  
  
•  Support for Grazing Coalitions:  By supporting the formation and persistence of state grazing coalitions, MNGLCA plays a strong role in grassroots conservation efforts, ensuring local resource concerns are addressed effectively.

MNGLCA offers an affordable $20 membership, and they also offer a dual membership to Minnesota Soil Health Coalition for $40. You can explore all of their membership options through their membership page.

MNGLCA lists a number of benefits to their membership program, including but not limited to: 
1. Community membership 
2. Exclusive networking opportunities 
3. Exclusive event discounts
4. Newsletter 
5. Expert support

In short, a MNGLCA membership is like having a whole group of expert graziers sitting on your shoulder ready to give you advice while you pursue your intensive grazing operation. You won't ever be left guessing again about what the best choice is within your management intensive grazing operation.

One benefit both to the public and MNGCLA members is the event program. While MNGLCA members get discounts for events, they are also often offered to the broader public, making MNGLCA a important educational hub within the regenerative grazing space.

MNGLCA hosts a wide variety of events for its members and the public. A quick peruse of their calendar and you can see that they offer presentations and field days around a variety of topics. One of the highlights on their calendar includes the  Annual Meeting, which serves as a platform for people to delve into the year's achievements, discuss upcoming initiatives, and engage with industry leaders and conservation experts. Additionally, field days like the one at Rock Dell Forage Farms offer practical insights into sustainable grazing practices, showcasing innovations in soil health and livestock management. They also regularly offer educational seminars such as their upcoming event surrounding the subject of interseeding and cover crops. These events promote a collaborative approach towards enhancing Minnesota's grazing lands through sustainable and economically viable practices.

Intensive grazing, or management-intensive grazing (MiG), is one of the core practices advocated by MNGLCA. Grazing in this way becomes a soil science more than just a animal science, and micro organisms become the primary crop, as layers of organic matter accumulate through the movement of animals on a regular basis. 

 Here's why it's beneficial:

•  Environmental Health:  This practice improves soil health, increases carbon sequestration, reduces runoff, and promotes biodiversity. By focusing on the natural diet of a ruminant (grass), graziers can reduce inputs of nitrogen dependent feeds which also reduces overall use of pesticides. 
  
  
•  Economic Benefits:  Farmers and ranchers can see increased yield per acre and reduced costs due to less reliance on supplementary feeding. It's a system where livestock are moved frequently between pastures, mimicking natural herd movements, leading to healthier livestock and pastures. By reducing the need for purchased feed, pesticides, contained animal feeding facilities, and other equipment, intensive grazing becomes a seriously economical option for any farmer. 
  
  
•  Animal Welfare:  Animals benefit from a varied diet and the constant movement, which can lead to healthier livestock with fewer diseases. By being in their natural environment, animals can live happy lives which further contributes to the quality and nutrition of what you sell as food. 

The goals between Powerflex and MNGLCA perfectly align, as we both focus on expanding education and adoption of regenerative intensive grazing practices in North America. We are looking forward to working with them as a partner to grow grazing technology, innovation, and education.

The MNGLCA stands as a beacon for regenerative grazing in Minnesota. Whether you're a seasoned rancher, a conservation enthusiast, or someone interested in where your food comes from, the MNGLCA offers resources, community, and a pathway to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Remember, for those interested in diving deeper into what MNGLCA offers or how intensive grazing could revolutionize your land management strategy, visiting their official website or connecting through social platforms is a great next step. 

You can also browse some of our products that are regularly used by MNGLCA ranchers in their intensive grazing operations: