Something new for the Nelsons
Multi-generational farm sees changes
By Rae Lanzrath
STAFF WRITER
FAIRFAX – For five generations, the Nelson family has farmed in rural Fairfax. Today, the farm is home to many species and utilizes regenerative practices.
Eric and Whitney Nelson moved to the family farm in 2015. The Nelsons have prioritized regenerative farming on their land. From rotational grazing to cover crops, they have experimented with many different methods.
“We learn as we go,” Eric said. “Different things worked then that don’t work now and vice versa.”
Eric grew up on the farm, where they raised sheep and grew corn and soybeans. Eric said they continued to raise sheep until five years ago, when he transitioned into cattle, pigs and chickens.
“We decided we wanted to do all grass-fed beef,” Eric said.
The herd is made up of a few different breeds. Eric said they are not trying to have one specific breed, but instead find a good mixture that grows well on a grass-fed diet. He said they started with Highland cattle, but they take a very long time to mature, so they started crossbreeding them.
The beef cattle are all rotationally grazed and left alone most of the time. Whitney said the family takes a very hands-off approach to raising the animals.
“There are woods that are fenced in, and they (the cattle) will go in there for a while,” Whitney said. “Every few days, we go check and make sure everything is OK, but that’s about it.”
The herd is separated into two groups: cow-calf pairs and feeder animals. The cow-calf pairs are raised in the wooden pasture, whereas the feeder animals are raised in an isolated area. The Nelsons have put temporary fencing into their pasture in long, narrow strips.
“The strip grazing works really well,” Eric said.
The temporary fencing keeps the cattle in a smaller section of the field and encourages them to eat the greens.
“If we put them out there in the whole field, they kind of pick through what they want to eat,” Whitney said. “They’re much pickier when they’re in a bigger space.”
In the winter, the cattle are put into the Nelsons’ fields. They do a similar strip-grazing method in those fields as they do in the pastures.
“We plant cover crops, so, after harvest, those are still standing,” Whitney said. “After harvest, we turn the cattle out there, and they graze those cover crops.”
The field was planted with Italian rye grass and clover. Eric said the cattle are in each section for about a week, and then the temporary fence is moved, and they are given a new space to graze.
Eric and Whitney also added chickens and pigs to the farm.
“We have around 40 chickens,” Whitney said.
“We’re able to have enough eggs for ourselves, and we sell some as well.”
Like the beef herd, the Nelsons’ pigs are crossbred. Eric said the pigs are Red Wattle, Duroc and Gloucestershire Old Spot.
The beef cattle, chickens and pigs have all been brought to the farm to diversify the Nelsons’ operation and allow more options for their customers. Most of the products coming from the farm are sold directly to local customers, Eric said.
The chickens and pigs do not have access to strip grazing like the cattle; however, they are raised in a similar way. The chickens are free-range and have access to the whole farm. The pigs are raised outdoors, with the same hands-off approach.
“We don’t keep many pigs,” Whitney said. “We’re starting to farrow, which is exciting.”
While the Nelsons are adding to their farm, they have found new ways to feed their animals as well. Pumpkins for Pigs is another idea, and it benefits more than just their swine herd. The Nelsons set up a trailer in Fairfax, and local families are able to donate pumpkins once they are done with them to help feed the pigs.
“It started with just pumpkins,” Whitney said. “But people can put any vegetables in there that they have. It helps us, and it helps them have less waste.”
The local Walmart store has also gotten in on the action and began donating pumpkins they were unable to sell. Eric said all the donations come back to the farm and feed the pigs for several months.
“There are Pumpkins for Pigs at other locations, too,” Whitney said. “So, people who want to donate can more than likely find one close to them.”
The Nelsons have learned a lot through their expansion into new species on the farm. They said they are happy with how things have turned out, and are excited to continue learning and growing.
“It’s important for our kids to grow up here on the farm,” Whitney said.
Eric said he has known for a long time that he wanted to take over the farm.
“This is our family’s farm,” Eric said. “It’s literally here because of years of hard work.”
While the processes and animals may be changing on the Nelson farm, the family continues to hold tight to their origin for as long as they can.
“We have a lot of future goals that we’re looking at, but the ultimate goal is to be good stewards of the land and to pass down healthy, good soil to future generations,” Whitney said.
By Rae Lanzrath
STAFF WRITER
FAIRFAX – For five generations, the Nelson family has farmed in rural Fairfax. Today, the farm is home to many species and utilizes regenerative practices.
Eric and Whitney Nelson moved to the family farm in 2015. The Nelsons have prioritized regenerative farming on their land. From rotational grazing to cover crops, they have experimented with many different methods.
“We learn as we go,” Eric said. “Different things worked then that don’t work now and vice versa.”
Eric grew up on the farm, where they raised sheep and grew corn and soybeans. Eric said they continued to raise sheep until five years ago, when he transitioned into cattle, pigs and chickens.
“We decided we wanted to do all grass-fed beef,” Eric said.
The herd is made up of a few different breeds. Eric said they are not trying to have one specific breed, but instead find a good mixture that grows well on a grass-fed diet. He said they started with Highland cattle, but they take a very long time to mature, so they started crossbreeding them.
The beef cattle are all rotationally grazed and left alone most of the time. Whitney said the family takes a very hands-off approach to raising the animals.
“There are woods that are fenced in, and they (the cattle) will go in there for a while,” Whitney said. “Every few days, we go check and make sure everything is OK, but that’s about it.”
The herd is separated into two groups: cow-calf pairs and feeder animals. The cow-calf pairs are raised in the wooden pasture, whereas the feeder animals are raised in an isolated area. The Nelsons have put temporary fencing into their pasture in long, narrow strips.
“The strip grazing works really well,” Eric said.
The temporary fencing keeps the cattle in a smaller section of the field and encourages them to eat the greens.
“If we put them out there in the whole field, they kind of pick through what they want to eat,” Whitney said. “They’re much pickier when they’re in a bigger space.”
In the winter, the cattle are put into the Nelsons’ fields. They do a similar strip-grazing method in those fields as they do in the pastures.
“We plant cover crops, so, after harvest, those are still standing,” Whitney said. “After harvest, we turn the cattle out there, and they graze those cover crops.”
The field was planted with Italian rye grass and clover. Eric said the cattle are in each section for about a week, and then the temporary fence is moved, and they are given a new space to graze.
Eric and Whitney also added chickens and pigs to the farm.
“We have around 40 chickens,” Whitney said.
“We’re able to have enough eggs for ourselves, and we sell some as well.”
Like the beef herd, the Nelsons’ pigs are crossbred. Eric said the pigs are Red Wattle, Duroc and Gloucestershire Old Spot.
The beef cattle, chickens and pigs have all been brought to the farm to diversify the Nelsons’ operation and allow more options for their customers. Most of the products coming from the farm are sold directly to local customers, Eric said.
The chickens and pigs do not have access to strip grazing like the cattle; however, they are raised in a similar way. The chickens are free-range and have access to the whole farm. The pigs are raised outdoors, with the same hands-off approach.
“We don’t keep many pigs,” Whitney said. “We’re starting to farrow, which is exciting.”
While the Nelsons are adding to their farm, they have found new ways to feed their animals as well. Pumpkins for Pigs is another idea, and it benefits more than just their swine herd. The Nelsons set up a trailer in Fairfax, and local families are able to donate pumpkins once they are done with them to help feed the pigs.
“It started with just pumpkins,” Whitney said. “But people can put any vegetables in there that they have. It helps us, and it helps them have less waste.”
The local Walmart store has also gotten in on the action and began donating pumpkins they were unable to sell. Eric said all the donations come back to the farm and feed the pigs for several months.
“There are Pumpkins for Pigs at other locations, too,” Whitney said. “So, people who want to donate can more than likely find one close to them.”
The Nelsons have learned a lot through their expansion into new species on the farm. They said they are happy with how things have turned out, and are excited to continue learning and growing.
“It’s important for our kids to grow up here on the farm,” Whitney said.
Eric said he has known for a long time that he wanted to take over the farm.
“This is our family’s farm,” Eric said. “It’s literally here because of years of hard work.”
While the processes and animals may be changing on the Nelson farm, the family continues to hold tight to their origin for as long as they can.
“We have a lot of future goals that we’re looking at, but the ultimate goal is to be good stewards of the land and to pass down healthy, good soil to future generations,” Whitney said.
