Summer 2014 Rangeland Education Opportunities

By Pete Bauman

The summer is filling up with excellent opportunities for rangeland education and fellowship. Below is a list of events available to the public. It’s a great time to get out and learn, we hope to see you at one or more of these events….and don’t forget to bring a kid along!!

Rangeland Bird Tour
June 13-14 | Union Center, SD

• South Dakota Grassland Coalition’s Annual Bird Tour. This year the tour will be held at the Gary and Amy Cammack Ranch near Union Center, SD.
• $20 registration includes tour, meals, and 1 year membership to the SD Grassland Coalition.
• Visit sdgrass.org for details or contact Judge Jessop at 605.280.0127

Excellence in Range Management Ranch Tour
June 21 | Gary, SD

• South Dakota Chapter of the Society For Range Management’s annual ranch tour. This year the tour will be held at the Cliff Millsapps Ranch near Gary, SD.
• Event includes discussion on grassland management, pasture walk/tour, bonfire, and grass fed beef burgers.
• Registration is free and open to all.
• RSVP to Deuel County Conservation District at 605.874.8225, ext. 3, by June 14.

SD Annual Rangeland Days/Soil Days
June 24-25 | Chamberlain, SD

• This year’s events will be held near Chamberlain, SD and will be run concurrently.
• Open to children ages 8 through 18 as well as adult options.
• Several competitive and non-competitive categories, including options for participants to present displays and student talks.
• Excellent opportunity for the beginner or the more advanced student.
• $30 registration fee includes meals, transportation to site, t-shirt, and refreshments.
• Visit sdrangelands.com or call Tina DeHaai at 605.734.5953 ext. 3 or Dave Ollila at 605.394.1722 for more information.

Leopold Conservation Award Ranch Tour
July 2 | Lowry, SD

• 5th annual tour for the Leopold Conservation Award in South Dakota.
• This year’s winners are the Perman family and the tour will be held at their Rock Hills Ranch near Lowry, SD.
• The day will feature award presentation, demonstration, entertainment, lunch, and ranch tour.
• RSVP to Judge Jessop at 605.280.0127 by June 26.
• For more information visit sdgrass.org.

Allan Savory Talk
September 10 | Brookings, SD

• Talk will highlight Savory’s work in global grassland preservation and management with the use of livestock and grazing.
• Talk will be held at the SDSU campus in Brookings, SD. Details forthcoming.
• Contact Sandy Smart at 605.688.4017 for information.

Allan Savory-Ranch Tour
September 11 | Hayti, SD

• Tour will be held at the Rick Smith Ranch near Hayti, SD.
• The day will feature various aspects of soil and grassland management and health, including discussion and demonstration of mob grazing, pollinator plantings, rainfall simulator and other rangeland management information.
• Allan Savory will be present throughout the day, providing feedback and discussion on how range management in the Northern Great Plains relates to worldwide grassland issues.
• Details forthcoming.Contact Sandy Smart at 605.688.4017 for information.