Farmers and ranchers can attend a Holistic Management intensive course Feb 4-9 in Sharon Springs, Kansas, covering regenerative planning, business management, grazing systems, and ecosystem services. A $1,000 scholarship is available through Kiss the Ground. The course offers full accreditation with the Savory Institute.
Led by Julie Mettenburg, CEO of The Provenance Co., the training is taught by experienced land and livestock managers. Mettenburg, one of only 12 Savory master professionals globally, has trained farmers across the Midwest and worked with organizations like Kalona Organic Dairy and the Noble Institute. She said the immediate benefit of Holistic Management is reducing overwhelm, particularly in the context of regenerative agriculture.
“We transitioned our diversified family farm in Eastern Kansas to Holistic Management 10 years ago and learned where all the moving pieces fit,” Mettenburg said. “You go to all these conferences and read the advice and it’s overwhelming. Holistic Management provides the foundational understanding and then the decision-making tools for creating the right plan for your operation, at the right time, for the right reasons, anywhere in the world.”
She recommends Holistic Management training for all career stages and agricultural or environmental interests, highlighting it as a lifelong learning process. The course features instructors Dan Phelps, with a background in agroecology, and Ben Wolf, with experience in large-scale farming and cattle feeding. Participants will receive instruction on key principles, fieldwork at the Wallace ranch, and time to create their own plans.
The course is divided into two parts: “Quality of Life” (Feb 4-6) and “Performance and Legacy” (Feb 7-9). Those attending both parts are eligible for the scholarship. For more information and to register, including the Kiss the Ground scholarship application, visit https://www.theprovenanceco.com/courses. Registration is requested by January 15. Visit savory.global and kisstheground.com to learn more about event partners.
