2025 Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Matt Poore, North Carolina State University (NCSU) & Triple Creek Ranch, VA
Dr. Matt Poore has devoted his career to pasture-based agriculture in the Southern USA. His training in forage utilization in mixed diets by beef and dairy cattle at the University of Arizona stimulated his interest in the complex interactions of the ruminant animal and the forages they depend on. During his career at NCSU, Dr. Poore has done research on a wide variety of forage topics. The impactful extension program he directs "Amazing Grazing" teaches ecological principles relevant to the effective management of pasture-based production systems to diverse audiences. Currently, Dr. Poore continues with his own programming while providing leadership to the NC Cooperative Extension Animal Agriculture Program Team. While much of his energy has been invested in these professional programs, he also is engaged in production and continues to manage his family's farm in Virgilina, Virginia where they raise 110 brood cows and finish most of the steer calves on pasture for the local beef market.
Eli Mack, Mack Farms, PA
Eli Mack grew up on the original acreage at Mack Farms (the "Home Farm") in Brush Valley, PA. They always had a few animals around the barnyard for enjoyment but never really utilized the rest of the farm. From a young age, Eli felt called to the land; know he wanted animals, specifically cattle. At the age of 12, Eli saved up money and bought his first cattle; a bull and a heifer. That was the beginning. Eli and his father started scraping together more fences and their little herd grew. Wanting to do things naturally and without major inputs, not to mention a complete lack of funds for feed and equipment, his attention was drawn to "rotational grazing." Mack Farms offers consulting, installations, farm tours, mentorships, and a variety of products and animals. Eli is also a product manager at Kencove.
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Agenda
7:30am - 8:30am Registration
8:30am - 8:40am Welcome
8:40am - 9:00am Introductory Presentation - J.B. Harrold, NRCS and Chris Leiden, Leiden Land & Cattle Co.
9:00am - 10:30am Keynote Speaker: Making the Most of Your Pastureland Ecology with Adaptive Grazing Management - Dr. Matt Poore, North Carolina State University & Triple Creek Ranch, VA
10:30am - 11:15am Visit our Vendors/Sponsors
11:15am -12:00pm Breakout Sessions
A. The Importance of the Unseen: Holistically Managing Our Land & Our Minds - Caleb Schneck, Deer Run Acres
B. Solar Grazing on Farms - Daniel Dotterer, Daniel Dotterer Farms, Agrivoltaic Innovations
C. Bale Grazing to Improve Soil Health & Productivity of Highly Degraded Soils - State of the Art & Perspectives for PA - Dr. Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State University & Allegheny Grass Fed Coop.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 2:30pm Keynote Speaker: Starting with Nothing / Using What You Have & Low Input Grazing / Farming While Full-Time - Eli Mack, Mack Farms
2:30pm - 3:00pm Visit our Vendors/Sponsors
3:00pm - 4:00pm Breakout Sessions
A. Making Sense of Nutrition for Pasture-Raised Beef Cattle - Dr. Matt Poore (Keynote Speaker)
B. Tying Nutrient Cycling, Manure Utilization, & Soil Health Together - Dr. Robb Meinen, Penn State University
C. Considering Input Costs to Establish Prices - Aaron Miller, Miller Livestock Company
4:00pm - 4:45pm Speaker Panel
4:45pm - 5:00pm Closing Remarks, Door Prizes, Evaluations
Sponsors / Vendors
Interested in being a sponsor / vendor at the
2025 Western PA Grazing Conference?
Click the button below for more information.
We will soon be posting 2025 sponsors as registrations come in!
Conference attendees are welcome to pre-order products with sponsors and pick up orders at the conference.
Celebrating 27 years!
The Western PA Grazing Conference Committee, comprised of conservation organizations and local farmers, organizes this conference every year to promote sustainable grazing practices to the farming community. The conference provides a wealth of educational information to both new and experienced farmers.
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Local area FFA and 4H groups logo contest:
To celebrate the 25th Annual Conference in 2023, the Western PA Grazing Conference Committee invited local FFA and 4H groups to participate in a contest to design a logo for the conference. The logo was displayed on our website and promotional materials. The winner of the contest received a donation from the Committee towards their organization and was recognized at the 2023 Conference.