In Episode 201 of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal Hardage sits down with Jacob Morin of Target Angus and Le Paysan Gourmand in Quebec. Jacob shares how a college humanities class unexpectedly set him on a path toward regenerative agriculture and how he and his family transitioned a conventional cow-calf operation into a diversified, grass-based farm. Together, they discuss intentional grazing, winter management in cold climates, infrastructure decisions that make daily moves possible, and how direct-to-consumer beef, market gardening, and livestock diversification work together to support the next generation on the farm.

Topics covered in this episode include:

Intentional grazing and adaptive decision-making
Winter grazing and bale grazing in cold climates
Grazing infrastructure: fencing, water systems, and daily moves
Direct-to-consumer beef sales and pricing challenges
Diversification with vegetables, hogs, and value-added products
Transitioning family farms and planning for future generations
Lessons learned from trial, error, and staying flexible

Why you should listen:
This episode is packed with real-world insight for producers navigating cooler climates, land constraints, and direct marketing. Jacob’s story highlights how thoughtful grazing, diversification, and intentional choices can build resilience—both in the soil and in the family running the operation. If you’re balancing tradition with change or looking for practical ideas to strengthen your grazing system, this conversation will resonate.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Target Angus
Le Paysan Gourmand
Salad Bar Beef by Joel Salatin
Pastured Poultry Profits by Joel Salatin
The Bold Return of Giving a Damn by Will Harris

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

201. Intentional Grazing in a Cold Climate with Jacob Morin