For over 140 years, Neider Farms in Krakow, Missouri, has successfully raised Black Angus cattle. When fifth-generation owners Trisha Neider and Daniel Gonzalez returned to the farm, the family recognized they needed innovative ideas to address today’s challenges. In 2023, they started a major shift to regenerative farming practices.
Supported by a SARE grant, their primary goal was to develop a farming model that was both profitable and easily replicable for others. They also aimed to solve the challenge of passing the farm on to the next generation and strengthening their local community.
Trisha Neider explained their vision: “We want to stay a local, working farm that is efficient, can support itself, is good for the land, and makes money. We want to sell responsibly raised food to our neighbors, while also showing smaller or new farmers that they can build a successful business without going against their values or overusing their land. For us, success means being strongly connected to our farm and helping others do the same.”
The farm focused on three main goals to become more resilient for the future:
Better Profits and Production: By changing how they moved their cattle (rotational grazing) and managed their grass, they improved their bottom line. Over two years, they cut diesel fuel costs by over 50% and feed costs by 16%. They also added new income sources, like raising chickens and turkeys for meat and planting a fruit orchard.
Improved Environment: Management-intensive grazing (MIG) significantly improved the farm’s pasture resilience, herd health, and forage utilization.. By monitoring forage and moving the herd daily, they optimized grazing efficiency, reduced external costs, and increased herd growth.
Community and Teaching: They built partnerships with local groups, including hosting hands-on learning workshops with 4-H.
Based on her hands-on experience, Trisha Neider wrote a free guide called “Groundwork: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Pasture, Poultry & Orchards in Missouri.” The manual gives other farmers clear, step-by-step tips and tricks based on what she actually did on the farm. It helps producers who want to transition to systems that are more diverse, sustainable, and community-focused.
Purpose and Approach
The guide is structured to assist farmers in:
- Starting small and building strategically,
- Enhancing soil and livestock health,
- Diversifying income sources, and
- Strengthening ties to local markets and communities.
Nieder offers not only technical recommendations but also candid reflections on mistakes and lessons learned, lending the guide a practical and accessible tone.
Chapter Overview
- Getting Started
Outlines infrastructure planning, goal setting, and self-assessment strategies tailored for new or transitioning farmers. - Rotational Grazing
Introduces managed grazing systems that enhance forage quality, improve soil structure, increase water retention, and increase drought resilience, while reducing input costs. - Raising Steers
Covers pasture-based cattle finishing, including breed selection, castration, timing, and relationships with local processors. - Pastured Poultry
Describes the use of mobile coops ("chicken tractors") to integrate poultry into grazing systems, enhancing nutrient cycling, pest control, and revenue. - Orchard Management
Explores fruit tree integration as a long-term diversification strategy, complementing animal systems and building perennial income streams. - Local Resources
Provides a curated list of regional organizations, publications, and programs that support regenerative agriculture in Missouri.
Nieder presents a compelling model for the future of agriculture in her community through a combination of technical guidance and personal experience, emphasizing ecological health, economic sustainability, and connection.
URL: https://www.niederfarms.com/groundwork
Want more information? See the related SARE grant:
- Regenerate a Fifth Generation Farm for Sustainability and Profitability While Revitalizing an Aging Farming Community (FNC23-1386)
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.