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A $69,030 grant to the Coulee Graziers Network and a $2,500 grant to the Deer Run Farm organic beef farm near Coon Valley were among $983,000 in grants Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wednesday, Aug. 6, during a visit to the farm.

The nearly $1 million in grants are part of the Wisconsin Grazing Lands and Conservation Initiative, which protects land and water through education, technical planning assistance, and research for dairy and livestock farmers.

State agriculture officials describe grazing as a low-cost, environmentally friendly method of farming that moves livestock to a fresh pasture on a regular basis, while resting unused pastures, so it can grow back before being grazed again.

The $69,030 grant to the Coulee Graziers Network will provide education about managed grazing to farmers and technical assistance to farmers who need help in starting managed grazing systems. The network includes farmers in La Crosse, Jackson, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties and holds related informational events.

Doyle said Deer Run Farm owner Jim Munsch will receive a $2,500 grant to continue experiments using clovers to provide nitrogen in his organic pastures. He does that work in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. “Right now, in Wisconsin, our agricultural economy has done well,” Doyle said. That’s because “we have really attended to basics. And we have really found those areas that have true high value for customers,” he said. For example, he said, Wisconsin makes half of the nation’s specialty cheeses and also is known for production of organic livestock feed.

Public demand for organic food, naturally grown food and knowing where the food comes from has helped boost Wisconsin agriculture, Doyle said.

“More and more farmers across the state are recognizing that they can really add value, make better money, by engaging in organic farming,” Doyle said. “And we’re going to continue to support that in this state.”