A seventh generation farmer, Linzy Cumbia’s family has been farming in Page County since the late 1700s. They raise beef cattle on 135 acres with river frontage and a spring-fed stream running through the farm.
Inspired by neighbors and fellow farmers, Linzy and his family reached out to local conservation experts to explore ways to improve their land. Since then, they’ve installed fencing, adopted rotational grazing, planted native trees and shrubs, and added cattle crossings—all helping protect water quality, reduce erosion, and boost biodiversity.
Participating in these agricultural cost-share programs brings a lot of benefit to the farm. Rotational grazing stores more carbon in the roots of the grass, benefiting the environment and the farm’s soils. As a result, Linzy has seen an increase in yields, the main telling factor being the way the cattle look—they’re fuller and fatter and well-fed off the grass from rotational grazing. “The cattle actually tell you when they are ready to move, they will move toward a gate or start mooing at you!” Linzy exclaimed.
Conservation Practices
From Linzy’s perspective, the benefits extend beyond their farm. “Our efforts to keep our land in farming is good for the community. It preserves the area’s rural character, protects and enhances wildlife habitat, promotes more productive soils and cleaner waterways and even supports other local businesses that are built on agriculture. We are proud to be helping.”
Featured image: Rotating cattle reduces bare spots in the pasture so even after three inches of rain, the hillside doesn’t erode. (Photo credit: Chris Anderson)