2. Provident Farms Farming Philosophy & Design Pasture Management & the Herd Economics

3. Farm Philosophy Rewarding Physical labor Producing food for others A family legacy & equity

4. Farm Philosophy Social values – Connection to food –Stimulating lifestyle – Always learning – Provides variety of activities

5. Environmental, Animal, & Human Health

6. Grass Based Grass Region Cow’s Nature Seasonality of Life Restore animal-land & connection

7. Farming Philosophy & Design Pasture Management & the Herd Economics Provident Farms

8. Rotational Grazing 120 Acres grass 40 Paddocks: 2-5 Ac Feed ¼ to 1 Ac / 12 hours

9. Crossbred Herd & Keeper Goal is not high production Fit for climate Breed back Healthy

10. Nutrient Amendments Soils were nutrient limited Organic amendments: Liming : pH 5.4  Low 6’s Composted barn bedding Poultry litter Liquid fish emulsion / yr Current challenge: barnyard

11. Provident Farms Farm Philosophy & Design Pasture Management & Herd Economics

12. Farm Start-up Wanted Land to Add Value Started with little infrastructure – run-down land, barn, farmhouse, no equipment Biggest costs: Equipment Organic feed

13. Supplements & Grain

14. Cow Feed 8 – 10 lbs/day Energy: Corn or barley Fiber: Oats or spelt

15. “The only sustainable way, is to produce all the feed, on the farm, through solar energy conversion.” -Dave Johnson

16. Dairy Income Milk Premium: Conventional: $17/cwt Organic: $20/cwt Est. cost of production: $10/cwt Organic Valley Co-op Provides steady income & pickup

17. Farm Assets Debt: Asset Ratio = 1:5

18. Labor No hired Labor

19. Additional Production Pastured Poultry (Broilers & Layers) Hogs Beef

20. Provident Farms Farm Philosophy & Design Pasture Management & Herd Economics