June 26 Conservation Observance Day Honors Cora and Mark Liebaert

Join us for the 2009
Wisconsin Conservation Observance Day
Friday, June 26, 2009
10:00am – 3:00pm
At the Liebaert Family Farm, Riverview Ranch
7925 E. Munnings Rd., South Range, WI (near Superior)

Recipients of the 2008 Wisconsin Conservation Farmer of the Year
This free program will include: Speakers, lunch, exhibitors, and farm tours and demos

Mark and Cora Liebaert jointly own and operate a 600-acre farm in northern Douglas County which has been in their family 100 years this year. The Liebaerts also manage 200 acres of rented land. They are veteran graziers who raise and finish 80 grass-fed, pure-bred Black Angus cattle which they direct-market to local consumers. Besides this, the Liebaerts also raise several hundred pumpkins, a couple of horses, a few dogs and cats and a strong, wonderful family.

Mark and Cora manage their herd through rotational grazing; in fact, they started rotational grazing in 1985 before there were even names for such operations in their area. Mark has been instrumental in the rotational grazing efforts in Wisconsin, serving as a role model for others by sharing his successes and knowledge at local, regional and state venues, including hosting several pasture walks at his farm, teaching a rotational grazing class and speaking at the state Grass Works conference.

Other highlighted accomplishments include:

- Lowest cost hay producer in the state - Mark only uses 300 gallons of diesel fuel a year to operate his 600 acre farm plus 200 acres of rented lands; this figure also includes plowing his roads!

- One of the highest relative feed values in the state at more than 20% higher than the state average.

- Mark's first conservation plan was established in 1984 and has installed a variety of conservation plans since, the most recent being several access roads/animal crossings and heavy-use protection areas.

- Mark and Cora continue to participate in the Lake Superior Streams Volunteer Monitoring Program and they've taught others how to do their own monitoring.

- They host an annual Pasture Walk, follow a private Forest Stewardship Management Plan, and welcome opportunities to use their land and knowledge to help others learn - this sometimes includes bringing calves to kindergarten classes!

For more information see the Wisconsin Association of Land & Water Conservation website.