Top Illinois graziers honored by ILGLC
Winners of the Master Grazier and Outstanding Achievement Award pictured include (left to right) Tom Saxe, Ed Ballard, Ron Freeman, Greg Thorn and ILGLC Vice President Trevor Toland. © Rosalie Trump, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Work by graziers and agricultural educators is often done quietly behind the scenes. Their work enhances the grazing industry as they advocate for sustainable land stewardship across the state.
The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition brought the work of four exceptional Illinoisans to light during its Annual Grazing Conference held March 11 and 12 in Springfield.
Award Recipients
Ed Ballard. © Rosalie Trump, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
Ed Ballard, Outstanding Achievement Award
Edward Ballard was presented the group’s Outstanding Achievement Award. He retired as an Illinois Extension animal systems educator after 39 years. Over his long career, Ed taught more than 300 Management Intensive Grazing Schools in the Midwest. He co-authored the landmark publication, the Illinois Grazing Handbook, as well as national grazing publications.
Ed coordinated forage and grazing research projects and served on grazing and conservation committees that have shaped regenerative grazing education and adoption. He supports research conducted on the Dudley Smith Farm in Christian County.
Armed with information provided by Ed, many farmers have expanded grazing on their own operations.
Greg Thoren. © Rosalie Trump, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
Greg Thoren, 2025 Master Grazier Award
For more than 10 years, Greg has incorporated regenerative practices on his farm. He uses adaptive managed grazing and cropland grazing with his beef cattle operation. Using virtual fencing practices has enhanced pasture utilization.
Greg is always learning and always giving back. He hosts three annual field days to his farm for practical, applicable learning. He is a member of the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau Board, a director for the Jo Daviess County Soil & Water Health Coalition, and contributor to the Fields of Sinsinawa farmer-led learning center in southwest Wisconsin.
Ron Freeman. © Rosalie Trump, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
Ron Freeman, 2025 Master Grazier Award
Since 1977, Ron has worked to refine his approach to grass-fed beef production and rotational grazing. He rebuilt his pastures while enhancing biodiversity. He converted 600 acres of former cropland into a managed grass ranch with miles of fencing and over 27,000 feet of waterlines.
A published author, Ron markets his grass-fed cattle in five states.
Tom Saxe. © Rosalie Trump, Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
Tom Saxe, 2025 Master Grazier Award
Tom operates a rotational grazing system on 150 acres in Southern Illinois. During his longtime Illinois Extension career, Tom established some of the very first intensive grazing management demonstrations in Illinois. In retirement, he continues to mentor other graziers on the benefit of rotational grazing for efficient forage use and pasture regeneration.
The original release is available on the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition website.