Texas Grazing Workshop Provides Practical Regenerative Agriculture Knowledge

John Sackett of the NRCS explaining outcomes of a rainfall simulator.

The forecast called for rain, storms, and a full pivot to a backup plan. Instead, the weather shifted, the skies held, and what unfolded over two days was something far more aligned than we could have planned.

This 2-day "Reading the Land to Optimize Grazing" workshop was organized by the Small Producer’s Initiative out of Texas State University and was held at the Leo Ranch near Decatur, Texas owned and managed by the Dixon Water Foundation. It brought together 27 land stewards, each at a different point in their journey, from those transitioning out of conventional grazing systems to those just beginning their relationship with the land. Our hosts, Hilary Knight, Vice President of Finance and Operations with Dixon Water Foundation, and Jake McNamara, Leo Ranch Ranch Manager, created a welcoming and practical environment that grounded the learning in real-world application.

Example of a grazing exclosure that allows managers to see the difference between grazed and ungrazed grasses and to help determine adequate recovery periods. The grass was grazed 12 days prior to this picture outside the exclosure.

What quickly became clear is that while participants’ operations, resources, and experiences differed, they all shared a common desire: to make sense of what they were seeing and to steward their land in a way that actually works.

Co-facilitated by Wayne Knight, Executive Director of Holistic Management International, and Christine Martin, Professional Certified Educator with Holistic Management International, the workshop focused not on giving answers, but on building the lens through which better decisions can be made. Participants often heard the response, “It depends,” when asking specific management questions, a phrase that, over time, became an invitation rather than a frustration. It pointed them back to their own context, reinforcing that effective decisions are not built on rigid prescriptions, but on understanding the variables at play within their land, finances, and lives.

From there, participants stepped into the field, literally and figuratively, learning how to read the land through the four fundamental ecosystem processes: water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow, and biological community dynamics. Instead of viewing the land as a collection of parts, they began to see it as a living system communicating through patterns. Along the way, many assumptions were challenged, especially around “weeds.” Participants explored how these plants are not problems to be eliminated, but indicators of underlying conditions, often playing a critical role in healing the land and improving ecosystem function.

John Sackett from the NRCS running a rainfall simulator for workshop participants.

One of the most impactful moments came during the Soil Health and Rainfall Simulation Demo led by John Sackett, TX NRCS agent. Participants watched as water interacted with three different soil conditions: bare ground, Bermuda pasture, and a recovered native grass system. After two inches of simulated rainfall, the bare ground plot was flipped over, revealing dry soil beneath the surface. The collective gasp said everything. It wasn’t just a demonstration; it was a visceral understanding of how management decisions directly influence function.

Data brought another layer of clarity. Phillip Boyd, Vice President of Science and Research with Dixon Water Foundation, shared long-term monitoring results from both Mimm’s Ranch in Marfa and Leo Ranch in Decatur. Participants could see, in real terms, how consistent management decisions influenced trends over time, reduced bare ground, increased plant diversity, and improved ecosystem function. It reinforced that regeneration isn’t a theory; it’s a process that leaves evidence.

Landon Jones of Halter explaining how virtual collars work.

Technology also entered the conversation through a live demonstration of virtual fencing, led by Jake McNamara, Leo Ranch Ranch Manager, alongside Landon Jones, Halter representative. Participants observed a cattle paddock shift and engaged in discussion around the practical implications, costs, benefits, and where technology fits within their own context.

But some of the most powerful learning happened in the quieter observations. Walking through pastures during the ranch tour on ecosystem function, guided by Wayne Knight, participants compared grazed areas to long-term exclusion zones, places where livestock had been removed for years. These side-by-side comparisons challenged assumptions and sparked deeper questions about the role of animals in ecosystem health.

Jake McNamara, ranch manager for the Leo Ranch talking about cattle and grazing management at the Leo Ranch.

To support ongoing observation, participants were introduced to a monitoring framework, Bullseye Monitoring, which provided a structured way to assess what they were seeing on the land. Using indicators such as bare ground, erosion, litter distribution and incorporation, plant diversity, plant vigor, and biological activity, participants learned how to move beyond general impressions and instead evaluate ecosystem function more objectively. This allowed them to begin connecting what they observed directly to management decisions and outcomes.

The workshop concluded by bringing everything together. Observations from the land, combined with the biological needs of livestock throughout their life cycle, from breeding to calving, were mapped onto grazing plans during sessions led by the facilitation team alongside ranch management. A key principle emphasized was planning for adequate recovery, the time plants need to fully regrow before being grazed again, which is foundational to improving ecosystem function. Rather than prescribing a single “right way,” the conversation explored multiple management options, grounded in each participant’s unique context and their ability to adjust timing, stock density, and movement to support that recovery.

There is no universal recipe. There is only the ability to see clearly, think holistically, and respond accordingly.

Sheep grazing on the Leo Ranch.

And perhaps that’s why the weather shifting felt so fitting. A reminder that while we can prepare, plan, and anticipate, the real work of stewardship is learning how to read what’s in front of us and having the confidence to respond in alignment with it.

Evaluations showed that 100% of those completing the evaluations were satisfied with the event and would recommend it to others. 86% said they increased their knowledge of key outcomes like grazing planning, biological monitoring, etc.

Feedback on the workshop included:

• "I increased my awareness and feel more confident"

• "Fabulous instruction on very complex material"

• "Very useful and practical workshop. Worth the time and money."

• "Fantastic workshop!"

• "Continue this good work and sharing by people with real life experiences."

• "Excellent balance between classroom and field work"

• "Loved the energy!"

• "This workshop provided a solid foundation for functional regenerative grazing. The information feels easier to being implementing, rather than too overwhelming to begin."