NatGLC Bus Tour | Grazing the Heartland
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Join us for an exciting bus tour through the stunning landscapes of Sioux Falls, SD, as we explore innovative grazing techniques while journeying through three states: South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota. This unique collaboration with the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition, the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, and the Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association offers participants a chance to learn about sustainable land management practices and witness firsthand the diverse ecosystems that define the region. Throughout the tour, we’ll visit scenic locations that highlight the beauty of grasslands and the importance of conservation, making this not just a tour but an educational experience for nature enthusiasts and land stewards alike. This two day event, includes a welcome reception and the chance to network with like-minded individuals from across the country. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts and discover the remarkable landscapes in each state!
South Dakota: Pasque Hill on Beaver Creek
The Zimprich family farm is managed by Jeff Zimprich and his wife, Kim, with a focus on habitat preservation, soil preservation & improvement, and grassland health. Pasque Ranch on Beaver Creek is a 152-acre ranch in the floodplain of Beaver Creek, which travels from the southeast corner through the farm to the northeast corner. It is this feature that affects many of the decisions made on the ranch due to flood risks, including those for cropland, riparian areas, and grasslands (both native & non-native). At Pasque Ranch, Jeff uses no-till methods, crop rotation, and crop residue to maintain soil health and increase organic matter. The riparian areas on the ranch are ever-changing, as flood events significantly impact them; however, they are left mostly wild, with the exception of noxious W**d control. Finally, grasslands located within the ranch are cared for with preservation in mind. Some of these pastures are native, while others have been impacted by invasive plant species. However, the Zimprichs actively work to manage these invasives through fire and grazing strategies. With a variety of landscapes to manage, Jeff and Kim use a thoughtful, conservation-rooted approach to ensure that the land remains healthy for future generations.
Minnesota: Amo Creamery
Amo Creamery is a multi-generational family farm based in Minnesota dedicated to producing high-quality dairy products for its local community. The Amo family has built their business through a deep commitment to neighbors, milk quality, and animal health. During the Great Depression, Maynard Johnson began building Amo Creamery's legacy, establishing the family farm and nurturing a passion for land stewardship, dairying, and advancement in each generation. Today, the grandson of Maynard, Ethan Johnson, leads the creamery with a focus on fresh, local dairy products and carefully selecting A2 cows for easier digestion and superior flavor. The creamery continues to follow the path of tradition, through quality dairy products, and thoughtful herd management, centered around community and family.
Nebraska: Hochstein Ranch
For Marvin & Mick Hochstein and the rest of the Hochstein family, ranch management is all about partnership. With over 1,000 acres of native prairie in Northeastern Nebraska, the Hochsteins have succeeded in preservation through management of our nation’s greatest renewable resource, our grazing lands. But they will be the first to tell you that they haven’t done it alone. Collaboration with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the National Resource Conservation Service, Northern Prairies Land Trust, and Pheasants Forever has had a lasting impact on the Hochsteins’ land. Together, they have succeeded in providing a safe habitat for native prairie species, including the greater-prairie chicken, and in improving water quality and soil health in the Verdigris-Bazile Biologically Unique Landscape. This achievement hasn’t come without its challenges, like Eastern Red Cedar encroachment into grasslands. But, through controlled burning and other invasive management techniques, the Hochsteins have been able to conserve most of the grasslands on their property. The Hochstein family and their team of experts have shown how much can be achieved through a little hard work and a lot of knowledge sharing.
Nebraska: Jessen Ranch
The Jessen Ranch sits at the intersection of Tallgrass and Mixed Grass Prairie ecosystems in Northeast Nebraska. The Jessen family has a rich history dating back to the homestead era, when they established a legacy of ranching. Over time, the Jessen operation transitioned to rotational grazing systems, built herds to match grassland carrying capacity, and ensured the water infrastructure supported their management system. This time spent on the land instilled a sense of stewardship in the family and drove them to build a system focused on preserving native grasslands. Jessen’s work to manage their pastures and control invasive red cedar often included prescribed burning. The property was recently transitioned to ownership under the Santee Sioux Tribe, where stewardship of the land continues to be a driving force in management decisions. Missouri River bluff prairies with tall and mixed grassland species mark the landscape of the Jessen Ranch, and ranch managers remain intent on keeping it that way through innovative stewardship, restoration efforts, and a deep love of the land.
We will hold a welcome reception on the evening of September 22, 5:30 p.m. at the Icon Lounge, which is a great opportunity to network and learn about the folks you'll spend the next few days with!
South Dakota: Pasque Hill on Beaver Creek
The Zimprich family farm is managed by Jeff Zimprich and his wife, Kim, with a focus on habitat preservation, soil preservation & improvement, and grassland health. Pasque Ranch on Beaver Creek is a 152-acre ranch in the floodplain of Beaver Creek, which travels from the southeast corner through the farm to the northeast corner. It is this feature that affects many of the decisions made on the ranch due to flood risks, including those for cropland, riparian areas, and grasslands (both native & non-native). At Pasque Ranch, Jeff uses no-till methods, crop rotation, and crop residue to maintain soil health and increase organic matter. The riparian areas on the ranch are ever-changing, as flood events significantly impact them; however, they are left mostly wild, with the exception of noxious W**d control. Finally, grasslands located within the ranch are cared for with preservation in mind. Some of these pastures are native, while others have been impacted by invasive plant species. However, the Zimprichs actively work to manage these invasives through fire and grazing strategies. With a variety of landscapes to manage, Jeff and Kim use a thoughtful, conservation-rooted approach to ensure that the land remains healthy for future generations.
Minnesota: Amo Creamery
Amo Creamery is a multi-generational family farm based in Minnesota dedicated to producing high-quality dairy products for its local community. The Amo family has built their business through a deep commitment to neighbors, milk quality, and animal health. During the Great Depression, Maynard Johnson began building Amo Creamery's legacy, establishing the family farm and nurturing a passion for land stewardship, dairying, and advancement in each generation. Today, the grandson of Maynard, Ethan Johnson, leads the creamery with a focus on fresh, local dairy products and carefully selecting A2 cows for easier digestion and superior flavor. The creamery continues to follow the path of tradition, through quality dairy products, and thoughtful herd management, centered around community and family.
Nebraska: Hochstein Ranch
For Marvin & Mick Hochstein and the rest of the Hochstein family, ranch management is all about partnership. With over 1,000 acres of native prairie in Northeastern Nebraska, the Hochsteins have succeeded in preservation through management of our nation’s greatest renewable resource, our grazing lands. But they will be the first to tell you that they haven’t done it alone. Collaboration with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the National Resource Conservation Service, Northern Prairies Land Trust, and Pheasants Forever has had a lasting impact on the Hochsteins’ land. Together, they have succeeded in providing a safe habitat for native prairie species, including the greater-prairie chicken, and in improving water quality and soil health in the Verdigris-Bazile Biologically Unique Landscape. This achievement hasn’t come without its challenges, like Eastern Red Cedar encroachment into grasslands. But, through controlled burning and other invasive management techniques, the Hochsteins have been able to conserve most of the grasslands on their property. The Hochstein family and their team of experts have shown how much can be achieved through a little hard work and a lot of knowledge sharing.
Nebraska: Jessen Ranch
The Jessen Ranch sits at the intersection of Tallgrass and Mixed Grass Prairie ecosystems in Northeast Nebraska. The Jessen family has a rich history dating back to the homestead era, when they established a legacy of ranching. Over time, the Jessen operation transitioned to rotational grazing systems, built herds to match grassland carrying capacity, and ensured the water infrastructure supported their management system. This time spent on the land instilled a sense of stewardship in the family and drove them to build a system focused on preserving native grasslands. Jessen’s work to manage their pastures and control invasive red cedar often included prescribed burning. The property was recently transitioned to ownership under the Santee Sioux Tribe, where stewardship of the land continues to be a driving force in management decisions. Missouri River bluff prairies with tall and mixed grassland species mark the landscape of the Jessen Ranch, and ranch managers remain intent on keeping it that way through innovative stewardship, restoration efforts, and a deep love of the land.
We will hold a welcome reception on the evening of September 22, 5:30 p.m. at the Icon Lounge, which is a great opportunity to network and learn about the folks you'll spend the next few days with!
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Where is it happening?
100 W 8th St, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 57104, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherNational Grazing Lands Coalition
