Justin and Kate Adams, the visionary minds behind Nurtured Lands Farm in Princeton, Kentucky, are set to share their remarkable journey of land regeneration at the highly anticipated 2023 Western Kentucky Summer Forage Tour. Taking place on May 25, this event promises valuable insights for newcomers to agriculture and individuals returning to neglected family farms.
Led by Chris Teutsch, a forage specialist from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the tour will highlight the triumphs and lessons learned by Justin and Kate Adams. The couple's transformative work began in 2016 when they purchased the farm, which had suffered from years of neglect and depleted soil fertility. Despite not having grown up in a farming background, their passion for agriculture propelled them towards regenerating the land and establishing Nurtured Lands Farm.
During the tour, Justin and Kate will delve into their budget and management decisions, partnerships, and the mentors who guided their path to success. Starting with cattle, they implemented a strategic approach by incorporating layer chickens in mobile coops to reduce fly populations around the cattle. Over time, they transitioned from a cow-calf operation to grass-finishing steers and introduced pastured broiler chickens in 2021. Additionally, they will discuss their direct-to-consumer marketing strategies for chicken and beef, as well as their collaboration with Magney Legacy Ridge Farm for farm-to-home deliveries. Most recently, Nurtured Lands Farm expanded its endeavors to include forest-finished hogs.
Participants of the tour will have the opportunity to embark on a guided farm walk, visiting key locations where Justin, Kate, and a team of experts will showcase their utilization of strategic forages, livestock integration, and grazing techniques to rejuvenate the soil. Attendees can actively engage by asking questions and sharing their own practices. Key topics covered during the tour include soil health and fertility, rotational grazing, multiple livestock species integration, watering systems for rotational grazing, mentorship in farm success, building soil fertility through bale grazing, maintaining robust nutrient cycles, direct-to-consumer marketing, and obtaining high-quality stored forage.
The tour, scheduled from 3-7 p.m. CDT, rain or shine, requires participants to pre-register at https://WestKyForageTourMay23.eventbrite.com.Further details can be found at http://forages.ca.uky.edu. The event will be held at Nurtured Lands Farm, situated at 546 Highway 293 North, Princeton, KY 42445. Attendees are advised to bring a lawn chair for added comfort.
This enlightening forage tour is a collaborative effort between the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, UK Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council, Kentucky Master Grazer educational program, Soil Conservation Districts of Kentucky, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service. Join this inspiring event and discover how Justin and Kate Adams transformed their farm while gaining valuable knowledge to apply to your own agricultural endeavors.
Photo Credit: Nurtured Lands Farm
Categories: Kentucky, General