Join two fantastic farms to learn how their rotational grazing and environmental stewardship practices intersect in the holistic management of their farms.

Bob Dobson has spent nearly 50 years planting trees on his family farm near Cobden. What began as a memory of trees providing shade on a farm laneway has grown into a passion for reforestation, and influenced his farming practices along the way. Bob and his partner Eva manage Dobson’s Grassfed Beef, which currently has about 50 head of cattle but over the years has had as many as 400. Their farm management practices include restoration of a riparian buffer to protect water quality, solar watering systems to keep cattle out of the creek, rotational grazing, and planting up to 1000 trees each year – adding up to over 40,000 trees planted and counting. Participants will hop on a wagon and learn how for this farm, environmental stewardship, human and animal health, and food production are inextricably linked through their ecological practices.

Opeongo Springs Homestead came to rotational grazing from the other end of the farming spectrum, purchasing their farm outside of Eganville and taking over a herd of 20 Texas Longhorn cattle just four years ago. They have since grown their herd to 54. Natalie and Kyle emphasize sustainable and ecological grazing practices – including rotational grazing and silvopasture – ethical treatment of animals, and local, healthy food production. They recently received Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) funding to improve their rotational grazing system. With this funding, they added a solar powered water trough that moves with their herd and temporary fencing materials, all of which will be included in the tour. These allow them the flexibility to move their herd more frequently, giving pastures more time to recover. The organic matter in their pastures is extremely low, but in the short time they have been rotational grazing in this location, they have seen it improve.

The tour will also include a look at their recent addition of pigs to their grazing system, who are working hard to clear an overgrown area to become additional pasture, and highlighting this farm’s emphasis on matching animals to environments that suit their needs while also improving the land. In addition to their livestock, visitors will have the opportunity to visit their self-designed one of a kind (and beautiful!) barn and farm store.

Driving time between the two farms is approximately 35 minutes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

Ticket price includes participation in both tours and light refreshments.

• 12:45PM – 1:00PM: Arrive to Dobson’s Grassfed Beef, 1907 Snake River Line, Cobden
• 1:00PM – 3:00PM: Farm tour at Dobson’s Grassfed Beef
• 3:00PM – 3:45PM: Travel to Opeongo Springs Homestead, 2290 Opeongo Road W, Eganville
• 3:45PM – 5:30pm: Tour at Opeongo Springs Homestead
• 5:30 pm: Departures

This event is offered in partnership with the Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM).