Soil Health- Rotational Grazing at Finch Creek Farm

On a brisk snowy day in March 2022, a brave group of hearty folks toured Finch Creek Farm in Xenia Township, Greene County. The farm is operated by the Finkes Family, Reinhold and Melissa and their children Karl and Katie. Tour attendees listened to Mr. Finkes explain his family farm’s cattle operation while riding in a wagon pulled by Percheron draft horses. The family raises cattle organically and prioritizes conservation on the land. In the cold months, the cattle eat highly nutritious fermented bales of hay grown on the farm.  In the warm months, the cattle are rotated to graze on different fields each day. Mr. Finkes has noticed the cattle actually select some grasses over others to eat first. Rotational grazing allows for better forage utilization and limits runoff. As Mr. Finkes said, his cattle are in great health and have not needed a lot of veterinarian care. Recently, the farm received an NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program contract for extensive fencing. The family offers their organic meat through direct sales, and through community supported agriculture.

TLT has secured funds for a permanent conservation easement on 237 acres of Finch Creek Farms through NRCS. In April, they submitted another application to the state and federal funders to protect 50 more acres.

The family is eager to see their hard work and investment in the land live on knowing the land will be protected forever. We look forward to seeing these projects on the farm grow!