United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 New Jersey Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content



Garden State Grazing Coalition 2006 Plan of Action

Our Mission:

Our coalition strengthens existing land stewardship partnerships and provides educational opportunities for producers, coalition members, and interested community members.

National GLCI Mission:

“The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative should be enacted and funded to restore balance in America’s conservation program. GLCI will provide technical assistance to half of the Nation’s private lands that are now without it, and voluntary conservation activities will be maximized through landowner’s personal stewardship.”

National GLCI Handbook

GOAL 1: Educate New Jersey graziers, consumers and community members.

ACTION ITEM 1.1

The coalition will coordinate and host monthly pasture walks. All aspects of management in the operations will be discussed including, but not limited to, pasture management, animal husbandry, soil fertility, profitability/economics, infrastructure, and marketing.

  • Priority: High
  • Responsibility: Kelly Harding will assist GLCI Coordinator and Coalition Budget Needs: 12 walks x $100 per event, for potential meeting expenses including educational materials for distribution
    • $1200

ACTION ITEM 1.2

Utilize resources from neighboring states, university researchers, and neighboring successful graziers, by highlighting them at other coalition events such as pasture walks, or workshops.

  • Priority: High
  • Responsibility: Coalition
  • Budget Needs: Speaker fees as needed, possibly 2 speakers at $500 ea
    • $1000

ACTION ITEM 1.3

Support a member of the Coalition’s attendance at the 3rd National Conference on Grazing Lands, in December of 2006 (as done in the past).

  • Priority: Medium
  • Responsibility: Coalition, GLCI funding
  • Budget Needs: travel, registration, and lodging estimating $1500
    • $1500

ACTION ITEM 1.4

Although the steering committee identified many grazing concepts to be highlighted, they feel forage varieties and characteristics and alternative cropping techniques should be of highest priority. At least one learning opportunity will be provided focusing on each topic. Format will be determined depending on available resources and discussion from co-chairs and steering committee. (Format possibilities include highlights at pasture walks, bus tours to research facilities, etc.)

  • Priority: High
  • Responsibility: Coalition
  • Budget Needs: Depending on format- facility costs, meeting materials, travel. Estimated $500 per event.

ACTION ITEM 1.5

A link will be added to the Garden State Grazing Coalition to direct those interested to meat goat production information and other related programs already in existence, such as Rutgers’ Meat Goat Production Program.

  • Priority: Medium
  • Responsibility: Coordinator and webmaster
  • Budget Needs: none

GOAL 2: Increase awareness of the Garden State Grazing Coalition and increase networking among graziers in New Jersey.

ACTION ITEM 2.1

The coalition will update the current website to include a link of graziers within the state and their contact information, as well as information on their operation. The goal is to provide opportunities to network with other graziers in a particular geographical area or with similar operations.

  • Priority: High
  • Responsibility: Coalition, Webmaster, NJ Graziers
  • Budget Needs: none

ACTION ITEM 2.2

The GLCI/Grazing Coalition display will continue to be circulated at all pertinent events including county fairs.

  • Priority: Medium
  • Responsibility: Coalition to report events and dates, Coordinator to see to set up.
  • Budget Needs: Display space
    • $250

ACTION ITEM 2.3

The GLCI Coordinator along with input from the co-chairs and coalition, will compose a special brochure to be included in the above mentioned display highlighting the goals of the Garden State Grazing Coalition, and the types of activities we sponsor. The brochure will be ready to coincide with the use of the display, and distributed to NRCS field offices as well as other cooperating agencies.

  • Priority: Medium
  • Responsibility: Coordinator under the review of the coalition
  • Budget Needs: none

ACTION ITEM 2.4

Increase awareness of the existence of the Coalition with the use of a unique logo, signage used at events, and own letterhead.

  • Priority: Medium
  • Responsibility: Coalition with the assistance of NRCS resources
  • Budget Needs: Estimated $600
    • $600

It is the intent of the group to not assign deadlines for any of the above at this time. After extensive planning, a large list was formed of items in need of addressing with in New Jersey’s grazing industry. Once the above is accomplished the group will reconvene and assign another Plan of Action, addressing the next in importance from the main priorities.

< Back to Programs

Last Modified: August 03, 2006