Artifact: A description of the skills I have developed from converting my farm from

a traditional set up to a progressive rotational grazing grass fed beef operation.

Situation: There are two approaches to raising cattle in today’s society. One is a
cost intensive traditional model that involves the use of all the latest technology.
The other is treating cows in the same manner as nature has treated herding
animals since the beginning of time and mimicking these patterns on the farm. We
chose the later and have had a successful beginning to the implementation of this
method.

Task: After carefully studying books and watching videos, we had to take what we
had learned and implement it on our farm. Then we had to carefully monitor our
cattle and fields daily in order to get a better understanding of how the process
would work on our farm.

Action: The first thing we had to do is change the way we thought about raising
cows and undo the thinking that was embedded in our minds by corporations
selling products. Next, we installed electric fences and used them to create smaller
paddocks to better mimic the natural patterns of grazing animals. Finally, we study
the grass in our fields and the condition of the animals so we could best utilize each
paddock for maximum production.

Result: Through this process, not only have I learned the benefits of rotational
grazing, I have also learned how to observe and study. The only way to learn about
rotational grazing is through experience because the books written on the subject
are about farms from different growing regions than our farm. Therefore, I had to
develop keen observation skills in order to ensure that the new implementation was
improving our farm. I also had to learn how to carefully study the land for what we
wanted to be growing and what we wanted to avoid. This in turn led to a careful
study of the cows to make sure they were increasing in health and weight in order
to maximize our profits. In other words, I was able to take something I wasn’t very
familiar with and make it a successful endeavor by simply increasing my skills in
observation and study. From this I noted success in improved pastures, increase in
topsoil and healthier cattle.

Artifact: A description of how I coordinated the development of my rotational

cattle grazing operation.

Situation: Trying to install a system of raising cattle into a farm that is co-owned by
multiple people and show them the benefits they would get from the installation.

Task: To communicate the importance of the operation in such a way that people
would what to help in the installation.

Action: When installing a rotational grazing operation it takes careful planning to

ensure that the land is properly utilized at the proper time. In my situation, this
meant seeking permission for using certain areas of land and organizing workdays
to make sure that the necessary equipment is in place at the right time.

Results: I was able to be successful because of some careful planning. I started

with small implementations on land that previously had gates that people had to
open in order to cross. I installed the electric fence in these areas so that people
would no longer have to use the gates because the cows were fenced out of the
roads. It would now be easier to pass through these areas. This process allowed the
others to see that there would be multiple benefits from my plan. This freedom to
pass through certain areas of the property without the hassle of having to stop and
open gates helped many of the people get on board for installing more fencing.
Through careful planning I was able to show my friends and family that this project
would provide many things that would benefit us all.
Artifact: A description of how I interacted with friends, family, and neighbors in
order to develop our rotational grazing grass fed beef operation.

Situation: Trying to communicate with friends, family, and neighbors the

importance of rotational grazing for our farm and community.

Task: In order to implement this operation, I needed to use my problem solving

skills to show multiple people with varying opinions the importance of what I
wanted to accomplish.

Action: I was able to communicate with my friends, family, and neighbors about the
importance of installing rotational grazing on our farm and explain how it would
benefit them. The importance of how it would benefit them was necessary because
without their help in the installation or their blessing for moving forward this task
could never be completed. Therefore, I had to make their well being the most
important part of the installation because I wanted the project to strengthen our
community.

Results: By understanding that in order to solve my problems, I first had to focus

on the problems of others who would be affected by my actions. I was able to gain a
good understanding of how my rotational grazing operation could be used as a tool
to benefit many people in my community. This understanding was accomplished
simply by interacting with others in order to find out what their needs were. I then
took this information and figured out what I could do with my rotational grazing to
help them solve their problems. I realized that I couldn’t solve all their problems
but if I would adapt my operation in order to solve what I could, then maybe I could
get more people on board. Therefore, I was able to use my problem solving skills
not only to solve my problems but also to interact with others in my area in order to
help them solve some of their problems as well.