Author Bio

Sylvester and Sabrina Friend are first-generation farmers based in Selma, Indiana, where they steward nine acres using diversified and regenerative practices. Their farm raises goats and lamb for both meat production and targeted grazing services, along with pasture-raised poultry, including broilers and a laying flock. They also grow produce using five hoop houses and additional outdoor growing spaces. Sabrina manages the farm’s apiary, providing their community with locally produced raw honey. In addition to growing food on the farm they have also hosted field days and educational presentations to engage with their local community and other farmers. Presentation: Viability in Targeted Grazing for Small Scale Farmers: Sylvester and Sabrina Friend of Prairie Hills Farms turned a SARE-funded grant, “Is targeted grazing viable for small scale farms in Indiana”, into a thriving business. With a passion for regenerative livestock management, they’ve learned the ins and outs of mobile fencing, solar chargers, watering setups, predator pressure, contracts, and customer consultations. In this session, they’ll share all of the above, why they began this work, the challenges they’ve overcome, and what made the journey worth it as their herd helps restore landscapes across the region.