Energized Fence Training & Silvopasture Workshop/Tour

This free full-day training is designed for those interested in oak savanna restoration, silvopasture, adaptive or conservation grazing, and semi-permanent fence designs for grazing management. It will be held at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman, MN. 

Upon arrival, attendees will be split into two groups of no more than 10 each. One group will do the fencing training session while the other enjoyes a silvopasture workshop/tour in the morning. All will convene for lunch at noon, and then switch to the other session for the afternoon. Sign-in begins at 8:30 AM. The two sessions will begin at 9 AM and 1 PM, a boxed lunch will be served at noon. Participants will learn the following as part of the two 3-hour sessions:

-Semi-permanent energized fence design and application 

-Fundamentals of high tensile energized fence installation including setting posts, insulators, line posts, installing wire, splicing, safety

Fencing trainers: Kent Solberg, SFA Senior Technical Advisor; Doug Voss, SFA Grazing Lead

Silvopasture workshop/tour presenters: Tyler Carlson, SFA Silvopasture & Agroforestry lead; Jeff Jackson, UMN Extension Educator; Gary Wyatt, UMN Extension Educator; Austin Yantes, University of Minnesota.

Training will be outside. Expect to do considerable walking (3-4 miles) and heavy work. Dress for the rugged outdoors and weather conditions: please wear jeans, hats, work gloves, sunscreen, and boots/good walking shoes. Bring your own water bottle, water for refills will be available. Masks are required (see below) but may be removed during physical exertion.

We will meet and park at the Blue Mound Cemetery parking area, located between the refuge headquarters and Blue Hill Trail. The coordinates: 45.497493, -93.697405  And the pin: https://goo.gl/maps/aTNgzAEikk3UZXqA6

Participants should bring:

• Drinking water

• Well-fitting leather work gloves

• Sturdy work boots or shoes

• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt

• Sunscreen

• Safety glasses

• A mask

*Per SFA's COVID-19 Preparedness Plan:

1. Pre-registration is required for this event. Registration will close at 12 PM on April 22.
2. Masks are required, unless a physical limitation or exertion prevents mask use. Presenters will remove their masks while speaking.
3. Social distancing of 6 feet is required.
4. All participants must signify their COVID symptom status upon registering and upon arrival to the event.

This workshop is supported and funded by a grant from the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). It is part of the “Oak Savanna Restoration through Silvopasture Project” in cooperation with University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension, Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management (CINRAM) at the University of Minnesota, and Great River Greening.