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Connecting Sustainable Agriculture to Rural Development: The Case of Pasture-Based Dairy Grazing

When economic rural development projects include a vision and goals for sustainable agricultural systems the capacity to achieve economic and social viability is increased. In this paper we offer a case study of how a group of Ohio dairy graziers have transformed their own and neighboring farms into economically successful pasture-based dairies and impacted farm communities in their region and beyond. Their success is a community development story that connects the building of technical and social infrastructures to create new rural economic opportunities. Some of the distinct characteristics of this grass roots ecosystem management model are citizen leadership, development of community through pasture walk groups, and the continual search and exchange of information and science to build the local knowledge base and capacity to adjust practices to localized conditions.