Timberside Farms is a multi-generational farm where 3 generations of land stewards work together to manage the land. During the 1980s, the row crop fields were enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Through CRP, over 120 acres were converted to native prairie, and 20 acres were planted into hardwood trees. Today, most of those acres are still enrolled in CRP and about 80 acres of pasture are rotationally grazed.

Our farm includes prairie, pasture, and oak woodlands. We actively manage our forests because oak forests do not maintain themselves. Without proper management, oak forests gradually transition to more shade-tolerant tree species, reducing the diversity and wildlife benefits that oak ecosystems provide. Without intervention, oak forests will disappear once the overstory oak trees die.

We believe livestock can be a powerful conservation tool when managed intentionally. Rather than relying solely on machinery, we use sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and other livestock to help manage vegetation, suppress invasive species, improve soil health, and create better wildlife habitat. Livestock allow us to work with natural processes while producing food and caring for the land.

Through rotational grazing, animals are moved frequently and pastures are given extended recovery periods before being grazed again. This approach strengthens root systems, improves forage production, increases soil health, and helps ensure the land becomes more productive over time. Our goal is simple: leave the farm healthier for the next generation than we found it.