Holm Family Farm Pasture Walk

Dunn County pasture walk to highlight soil and water quality

Twilight walk welcomes farmers, families and citizens interested in protecting Red Cedar Watershed

ELK MOUND – A Dunn County farm family will open their farm to the public June 13. Doran and Mariann

Holm invite consumers to visit their farm for an up-close look at grazing practices area farmers are

implementing to protect the Red Cedar watershed. This family-friendly event will include a chance to see farm

animals, learn about the benefits of raising cattle on pasture and hear how farmers are working closely with

other stakeholders in the watershed to improve the water quality for future generations. The event, which kicks

off at 6pm, is being co-organized by River Country RC&D and Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Attendees of all ages will be able to take part in interactive learning stations focused on 1) how grazing

impacts biodiversity and soil health on the farm 2) what impact that in turn has on the watershed and 3) how

key partnerships and cooperatives are advancing grazing and other conservation efforts.

"Our county has farmers, citizen groups and local governments working together to build a common vision

and find practical solutions to water quality concerns in the Red Cedar region,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union

Executive Director Tom Quinn. “This pasture walk is a chance for folks to get out on a farm and see first-hand

how managed grazing is having a major impact in improving water quality and soil health.”

The Holms are first generation farmers who purchased their farm in 1998. Their six now-grown daughters

were integral to their grass based organic dairy farm, Holm Girls Dairy. Today, a custom organic heifer raising

business has replaced the dairy and an NRCS funded hoop house is a brand new enterprise that is engaging

 the Holms’ two youngest children, Danny and John.

Doran works for Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative based in La Farge. Mariann is an organic crop

and livestock inspector and has been instrumental in connecting local women farmers through the networking

group, West Central Wisconsin Women in Agriculture. Mariann also serves on the Wisconsin Organic Advisory

Council and as a board member of the Menomonie Market Food Co-op.

Snacks will be provided. The farm address is E10025 690th Ave., Elk Mound. Please RSVP at

www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/upcoming-events. For more information, call Mary C. Anderson at 715-579-

2206. Learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com or www.rivercountryrcd.org.

Graze River Country is a joint effort of Wisconsin Farmers Union and River Country RC&D. Find the latest

event details at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com or www.rivercountryrcd.org.