Grazing Through The Looking Glass Brook Fuller Soil Conservationist

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where –" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. "– so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough." Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, Carroll Lewis 1965

The Journey to Your Own Wonderland ► Where you are now:  # of animals, # of acres, problems on your property The journey is the decisions you make to get you where you want to be. ► Where you want to be:  # of animals, use of property, layout, goals

Who are YOU? ► Getting you thinking ► Getting you questioning ► Getting you learning ► Getting you identifying

Horses, Land, and Water Action Planner For Horse Properties ► 3 Planners  Whole of Property  Paddock Management  Intensive Horsekeeping ► 4 Step Process  Assess your current management  Summarize your results  Prioritize your improvements  Develop an action plan ► 4a Short Term Actions <1 year ► 4b Long Term Actions >1 year

Map for the Journey This plan is personal to you and your property  Personal Goals and resources  Number of Horses  Regulation compliance  Facility Layout  Fire Threat  Emergency Plan  Sharing your land with wildlife  Weed control  Pest animal control  Horse fatality plan  Proper Vet and chemical supply storage and disposal Action Planner: Whole of Property Management

Looking at the BIG picture

Resource Concerns and Opportunities ► Soil ► Water ► Air ► Plants ► Animals

Looking a little closer

Resource Concerns and Opportunities  Drainage  Erosion control  Roof runoff  Forage selection ► (desirable, undesirables, poisonous, and SUPPELMENTAL)  Fencing  Water availability  Manure management  Location (neighbors)  Pests (dusts and flies)  Facilities and usage

I’m Late, I’m Late, For a VERY Important Date ► It is never too late to start looking at your property and trying to correct some of the problems. ► There are improvements to be made on EVERY property.

Tweedledee and Tweedledum ► Though valuable information can be received from your neighbor, store owners, friends, and family BEWARE! ► Do your own research and understand that not everyone is a good steward of the land.

Painting The Roses Red ► Common mistake  Fixing one problem, which results in causing more problems.  Not really fixing the problem, just making it look better.  Holistic Planning: looking at your property as a whole

Moral of the Story ► Know where you want to go ► Alter your vision ► Get started ► Expect the unexpected ► Get reliable information ► DO NOT GIVE UP

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where –" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. "– so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough." Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, Carroll Lewis 1965