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Madison VA

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Partners with Graves Mill Farm

Grass Fed Cow-Calf Ranch

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Farm Manager in Field with Mountains

Grazing Management

@rapidan_river_ranch

Three years ago, we met DJ and he joined Rapidan River Ranch part-time to care for our horses and barnyard.

We are so excited to share that he’s now full-time as our Rapidan River Ranch Wrangler!

DJ will continue to lead our equine program, further integrating the horses into cattle work. He’ll also expand our riding program here and @graves_mill_farm through our education and residency initiatives.

Join us in congratulating DJ! 🐴🌿

Three years ago, we met DJ and he joined Rapidan River Ranch part-time to care for our horses and barnyard.

We are so excited to share that he’s now full-time as our Rapidan River Ranch Wrangler!

DJ will continue to lead our equine program, further integrating the horses into cattle work. He’ll also expand our riding program here and @graves_mill_farm through our education and residency initiatives.

Join us in congratulating DJ! 🐴🌿

A few weeks ago we hosted a small group of Madison agriculture students at Rapidan River Ranch. They learned about the South Poll cattle breed, river crossings, grassland birds, the graze 300 program, and how farming here affects our environment all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

📸 Shannon Carter
@graves_mill_farm @madisoncoffa

A few weeks ago we hosted a small group of Madison agriculture students at Rapidan River Ranch. They learned about the South Poll cattle breed, river crossings, grassland birds, the graze 300 program, and how farming here affects our environment all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

📸 Shannon Carter
@graves_mill_farm @madisoncoffa

Hometown Heroes’ voting and gala event raised over $37,000 for the Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Project in Madison County!

Thank you so much for the nomination and support! Groundbreaking is in April. @hooverridge

Pictured are Triple R Ranch manager, grass farmer, and livestock caretaker Nathan, along with his wife, Shannon. Shannon serves as a bridge between RRR and @graves_mill_farm , assisting with community educational outreach and connecting the farms with providers to explore ways to protect and improve our natural resources.

Hometown Heroes’ voting and gala event raised over $37,000 for the Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Project in Madison County!

Thank you so much for the nomination and support! Groundbreaking is in April. @hooverridge

Pictured are Triple R Ranch manager, grass farmer, and livestock caretaker Nathan, along with his wife, Shannon. Shannon serves as a bridge between RRR and @graves_mill_farm , assisting with community educational outreach and connecting the farms with providers to explore ways to protect and improve our natural resources.

Sunday spring move.

Sunday spring move.

❄️Snow day 2️⃣

📸 @ada_cart3r

❄️Snow day 2️⃣

📸 @ada_cart3r

Recapping 2024!

American Farmland Trust and The Friends of the Rappahannock invited farmers from Central VA to come learn more about the importance of conservation practices on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. We were so lucky to tour the Rappahannock Oyster Company, and were aboard a restoration boat the next morning. Enjoyed meeting and getting to know farmers who are exploring and implementing nature driven farming practices.
@americanfarmlandtrust @river_friends @thechesapeakeinn @rroysters

Recapping 2024!

American Farmland Trust and The Friends of the Rappahannock invited farmers from Central VA to come learn more about the importance of conservation practices on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. We were so lucky to tour the Rappahannock Oyster Company, and were aboard a restoration boat the next morning. Enjoyed meeting and getting to know farmers who are exploring and implementing nature driven farming practices.
@americanfarmlandtrust @river_friends @thechesapeakeinn @rroysters

Recapping 2024!

Have you ever heard of conservation speed dating? Neither had we! We were so excited to work with American Farmland Trust and Virginia Working Landscapes to host an event.

@gravesmillfarm invited and hosted our Graves Mill neighboring farms. Each guest was given a table, and was provided with a property map. All were able to have one-on-one time with local technical service providers and conservation practitioners to discuss interests, options, and next steps. It was exciting to share, meet folks just down the road, and build our valley community.

Special thanks to our providers:

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative
@smithsonian_vwl
@americanfarmlandtrust
@piedmontenviron
@clifton.institute
Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

Recapping 2024!

Have you ever heard of conservation speed dating? Neither had we! We were so excited to work with American Farmland Trust and Virginia Working Landscapes to host an event.

@gravesmillfarm invited and hosted our Graves Mill neighboring farms. Each guest was given a table, and was provided with a property map. All were able to have one-on-one time with local technical service providers and conservation practitioners to discuss interests, options, and next steps. It was exciting to share, meet folks just down the road, and build our valley community.

Special thanks to our providers:

The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative
@smithsonian_vwl
@americanfarmlandtrust
@piedmontenviron
@clifton.institute
Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA

❄️ Rolled hay today. Some of these cattle have never seen snow. It’s been three years since we’ve had anything significant. Photos by @ada_cart3r

❄️ Rolled hay today. Some of these cattle have never seen snow. It’s been three years since we’ve had anything significant. Photos by @ada_cart3r

Easy move to our our hayfield today. They know exactly what to do and they were excited to do it! They were ready to rotate.

This was our first year of delayed hay cutting. Waiting until at least July 1 is recommended to give the first brood of grassland birds time to fledge. We waited until August as an experiment. There is no way to measure but it is possible that the grassland birds may have successfully hatched two broods this year. Every little bit helps! Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes educated us to understand how we could be good stewards, and we took this step in 2024. We are excited about trying new things next year! @smithsonian_vwl

The South Poll bulls have been in with the cow calf herd since November. This is their second year on the ranch, but we have been working towards this breed for four seasons. You can see a few of the big boys at the end of the video, and one of them really is making a lot of noise, so turn that sound up!

#rotationalgrazing
#SouthPoll
#grasslandconservation
#riverconservation

Easy move to our our hayfield today. They know exactly what to do and they were excited to do it! They were ready to rotate.

This was our first year of delayed hay cutting. Waiting until at least July 1 is recommended to give the first brood of grassland birds time to fledge. We waited until August as an experiment. There is no way to measure but it is possible that the grassland birds may have successfully hatched two broods this year. Every little bit helps! Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes educated us to understand how we could be good stewards, and we took this step in 2024. We are excited about trying new things next year! @smithsonian_vwl

The South Poll bulls have been in with the cow calf herd since November. This is their second year on the ranch, but we have been working towards this breed for four seasons. You can see a few of the big boys at the end of the video, and one of them really is making a lot of noise, so turn that sound up!

#rotationalgrazing
#SouthPoll
#grasslandconservation
#riverconservation

We have a bummer! She’s doing well and gaining weight. #rapidanriverranch

We have a bummer! She’s doing well and gaining weight. #rapidanriverranch

Looking back at Debby. She caught us up on the rainfall a bit, and we have had some nice showers since then that are continuing to add up. #rapidanriver #rapidanriverranch #gravesmillfarm #gravesmill

Looking back at Debby. She caught us up on the rainfall a bit, and we have had some nice showers since then that are continuing to add up. #rapidanriver #rapidanriverranch #gravesmillfarm #gravesmill

Our fearless beekeeper! 🐝

Our fearless beekeeper! 🐝

The 2024 Grazing School was a success and goes on rain or shine! This year’s group represented about 2500 acres and about 848 livestock (cattle, small ruminants, and horses). Their experience this week will make a big impact spread across many different farms. Designed with beginning and experienced producers in mind, this 2-day, intensive course uses hands-on opportunities in the field to work with temporary fencing, identify forage and weed species, evaluate pasture, and learn the critical points of designing an animal handling facility. The last day of the school features a workshop with instructors to develop a grazing plan specific to the students farm.

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
VA Tech
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Lamarvolous Catering

The 2024 Grazing School was a success and goes on rain or shine! This year’s group represented about 2500 acres and about 848 livestock (cattle, small ruminants, and horses). Their experience this week will make a big impact spread across many different farms. Designed with beginning and experienced producers in mind, this 2-day, intensive course uses hands-on opportunities in the field to work with temporary fencing, identify forage and weed species, evaluate pasture, and learn the critical points of designing an animal handling facility. The last day of the school features a workshop with instructors to develop a grazing plan specific to the students farm.

The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
VA Tech
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Lamarvolous Catering

Smooth move yesterday.

Smooth move yesterday.

We are moving fast across our pastures to lightly graze the new growth from our winter stockpile. No poly right now, just free ranging over 7-10 acres at a time for 24 hours. #southpoll #regenerativefarming #rapidanriver #rapidanriverranch #happycows

We are moving fast across our pastures to lightly graze the new growth from our winter stockpile. No poly right now, just free ranging over 7-10 acres at a time for 24 hours. #southpoll #regenerativefarming #rapidanriver #rapidanriverranch #happycows

First snow of the season! 🐮❄️

First snow of the season! 🐮❄️

❄️❄️❄️❄️

❄️❄️❄️❄️

Beautiful day for fence work!

Beautiful day for fence work!

Fog rolled in this evening. Nice to see the river plumped up by the rain. The warm weather should get the grass to catch up a little bit after the drought.

Fog rolled in this evening. Nice to see the river plumped up by the rain. The warm weather should get the grass to catch up a little bit after the drought.

New equipment! #powderriver #rockinghamcoop

New equipment! #powderriver #rockinghamcoop

3rd Annual Rapidan River Run! 🦃 #rapidanriverranch

🥇Ada
🥈@wmharrisonhill
🥉DJ
🏃🏻‍♀️ Claire

3rd Annual Rapidan River Run! 🦃 #rapidanriverranch

🥇Ada
🥈@wmharrisonhill
🥉DJ
🏃🏻‍♀️ Claire

Turning out the bulls today.
#SouthPoll
#SouthPollCattle
#EllettValleyBeefCompany
#WindyAcresFarm

Turning out the bulls today.
#SouthPoll
#SouthPollCattle
#EllettValleyBeefCompany
#WindyAcresFarm

Moving in the fog on Monday. 🍂🍁

Moving in the fog on Monday. 🍂🍁

This was a good move. Happy cows! #southpoll #grassfed

This was a good move. Happy cows! #southpoll #grassfed

☔ After over two months with no significant rain, some of these new calves have never experienced a good soaking. 🌧️ They sure seem a little excited! 🐮💦 #SouthPoll #calving Video by TH

☔ After over two months with no significant rain, some of these new calves have never experienced a good soaking. 🌧️ They sure seem a little excited! 🐮💦 #SouthPoll #calving Video by TH

“🐮 The beauty of calving season on the ranch! Watching our South Poll herd grow and thrive! 🌱🌾 #CalvingSeason #SouthPoll #FarmLife”

“🐮 The beauty of calving season on the ranch! Watching our South Poll herd grow and thrive! 🌱🌾 #CalvingSeason #SouthPoll #FarmLife”

We spotted a ruffed grouse right here on our farm! It's pretty awesome to see all kinds of wildlife hanging out at Rapidan River Ranch! #regenerativefarming #ruffedgrouse

We spotted a ruffed grouse right here on our farm! It's pretty awesome to see all kinds of wildlife hanging out at Rapidan River Ranch! #regenerativefarming #ruffedgrouse

When you’re just trying to tag a calf…
#calving #rapidanriverranch

When you’re just trying to tag a calf…
#calving #rapidanriverranch

Time to move.

Time to move.

Our herd is so smart, they will move two fields over 🧠 #grassfed #regenerativefarming #southpoll #tarentaise

Our herd is so smart, they will move two fields over 🧠 #grassfed #regenerativefarming #southpoll #tarentaise

Sunflower field has popped!

Sunflower field has popped!

Organized by the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council @rapidan_river_ranch and @graves_mill_farm hosted the 2023 Basic Grazing School. This two-day class was for beginning and experienced producers. There were hands-on opportunities in the field to work with temporary fencing, identify forage and weed species, and evaluate pasture before, during, and after rotational grazing. The last day of the school featured a workshop where farmers can sit down with instructors to begin developing a custom grazing plan. Delicious meals were provided by Lamarvolous!

Thank you for supporting the land and the farming community!

Virginia Forage and Grassland Council
@virginia_cooperative_extension
@usdagov
@chesapeakebayfoundation

Organized by the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council @rapidan_river_ranch and @graves_mill_farm hosted the 2023 Basic Grazing School. This two-day class was for beginning and experienced producers. There were hands-on opportunities in the field to work with temporary fencing, identify forage and weed species, and evaluate pasture before, during, and after rotational grazing. The last day of the school featured a workshop where farmers can sit down with instructors to begin developing a custom grazing plan. Delicious meals were provided by Lamarvolous!

Thank you for supporting the land and the farming community!

Virginia Forage and Grassland Council
@virginia_cooperative_extension
@usdagov
@chesapeakebayfoundation

Going to be a busy day around here. #workingcattle #weaning #grassfed #grassfedbeef

Going to be a busy day around here. #workingcattle #weaning #grassfed #grassfedbeef

Grass fed RRR beef burger with traditional toppings + onion jam. Served with watercress potato salad #lamarvelous

#grassfedbeef #grassfed #grassfinished #gravesmillfarm #regenerativefarming #rapidanriverranch #thenatureconservancy #charlottesville

Grass fed RRR beef burger with traditional toppings + onion jam. Served with watercress potato salad #lamarvelous

#grassfedbeef #grassfed #grassfinished #gravesmillfarm #regenerativefarming #rapidanriverranch #thenatureconservancy #charlottesville

Spring peepers are awake!

Spring peepers are awake!

Beauty after the rain.

Beauty after the rain.

Checked the owl box today. So far, not occupied. 🦉

Checked the owl box today. So far, not occupied. 🦉

Heads down enjoying the blue skies! #grassfedbeef #grassfed #southpollcattle #tarentaise

Heads down enjoying the blue skies! #grassfedbeef #grassfed #southpollcattle #tarentaise

A very healthy, fast growing calf nurses at sunset. #tarentaise #tarentaisecattle #grassfed #grassfedbeef

A very healthy, fast growing calf nurses at sunset. #tarentaise #tarentaisecattle #grassfed #grassfedbeef

The whole team showed up to clean the low bridge this morning. Swipe to see before. 🌊🥶 Nathan and Henry pictured.

The whole team showed up to clean the low bridge this morning. Swipe to see before. 🌊🥶 Nathan and Henry pictured.

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