The 2017 season of pasture walk and facilitated discussion series is about to kick off.

The series is planned and facilitated by the Kickapoo Grazing Initiative (KGI) along with Crawford County UW-Extension.

For more information about the series, go to the events page at www. kickapoograzinginitiative.com, or call Crawford County UW-Extension Agent, Vance Haugen, at 608-326-0223, or at vance.haugen@ces.uwex.edu.

The first pasture walk will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. at the farm of Mike Lind, 47664 Aspen Road, Soldiers Grove, WI, 608-627-3735.

To reach the farm from Gays Mills, take Highway 131 north for approximately seven miles; go left onto County Highway C; go approximately one mile, and then take a slight right onto Norwegian Hollow Road; travel approximately two miles, and then take a left onto Aspen Road; look for Fire #47664.

The guest speaker will be Keefe Keeley, Savanna Institute Director, who will speak about silvopasture establishment research on converting degraded woodlots to intensively managed silvopasture.

The second event will take place on Friday, May 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The ‘Buying Cattle Seminar,’ with a field tour to the Matthes Auction Barn, will also feature talks by longtime grass-fed-beef farmer, Jim Munsch; former Driftless Meats & More, General Manager, Tim Rehbein: and Richland County Agriculture Agent, Adam Hady.

Participants will gather in Viola, Wisconsin in Vernon County, and should meet at the Kellogg Pavilion in the park by the river, near the intersection of Highways 131 and 56 . Please RSVP by May 12 as lunch will be served. RSVP by contacting Cynthia Olmstead, KGI Project Director at info@kickapoograzinginitiative.com or by phone at 608-606-6022.