Grazing School of the West
Nov 1, 2025
Stewardship Strategies for Small Herds and Thriving Landscapes
Calling all hobby farmers, small-herd tenders, aspiring graziers, and community-minded producers! Join Grazing School of the West and Quivira Coalition in Cedar Crest, New Mexico for a full-day, hands-on workshop focused on the power of small-scale grazing to regenerate land, foster ecological health, and support resilient neighborhoods. Whether you have a few goats, sheep, or other grazing animals — or are just getting started — this workshop will guide you through best practices for managing small herds in and around your community. Come learn how thoughtful, small-scale prescribed grazing (also known as Tier 1 / Community & Neighborhood Grazing) can improve soil health and plant diversity, reduce wildfire risk and invasive species growth, support sustainable food systems and local self-reliance, and connect neighbors through shared land and animal stewardship! This workshop will give you tools to create healthier land and stronger communities — one small herd at a time.
Participants will leave with a basic understanding of:
Prescribed grazing methods tailored to small herds
Measuring forage, managing stock and recovery period cycles for soil and plant health
Infrastructure and tools needed to start and maintain a small herd
Animal husbandry and the specific health needs of small ruminants
Cooperative-based and neighborly collaboration
Workshop schedule 9am-4:30pm
8:30-9:00 – Arrivals and check in
9:00-9:45 – Intro to space and group
9:45-12:30 Classroom session: Principles of grazing for ecological resilience, planning for small herds: species choice and animal health, stocking density, infrastructure, and tools
12:30–1:30 – Lunch and peer networking (local fare provided by Roots Farm Cafe)
1:30-3:00 – Field demo: grazing in action
3:00-4:00 – Group work: Cooperative grazing, roles, communication, schedules, liability, community agreements.
4:00–4:30 – Group reflection and closing
Questions? Contact Nina Katz at nina.katz@quiviracoalition.org.
Location: Arroyo Runs Through It, Stanley, NM