Wrchota, Tom and Sue
Posted July 2000
Tom and Sue Wrchota are the owners and operators of Cattleana Ranch near Omro, Wisconsin. They comprise a very small segment of North American livestock producers who call themselves sustainable grass farmers, or graziers. They have used an environmentally and economically viable cattle feeding system called Management Intensive Rotational Grazing for over a decade. Tom has developed cattle genetics for 100% grass feeding and finishing, using no grains in the animals’ diet—he is one of the first to accomplish this in Wisconsin. The Wrchotas also raise pastured poultry and chemical free, naturally fertilized vegetables during the summer months.
In 1994, Tom was instrumental in the development of the Fox River Grazers, one of approximately 15 active rotational grazing networks in Wisconsin. He has been a board member of GrassWorks, Inc., and has written articles for a professional grazing magazine, GRAZE. He and Susan have received two sustainable agricultural research grants. wrchota@athenet.net
