Greg Judy: The Pioneer in Modern Regenerative Ranching

Greg and Jan Judy stand out as a legends to us and have been an inspiration in our journey to sustainable, regenerative farm practices. If you’ve never heard of them, here’s the cliffs notes. He and his wife started out on a 200 acre farm in Missouri and were seriously struggling financially in the late 90s. Once Greg and Judy really figured out regenerative ranching, they paid off their farm in 3 years. They now own 4 farms and lease 12 more with a total operation of 1,620 acres. Instead of keeping the knowledge of their success a secret, Greg and Jan share it with everybody. They are an inspiration for the American dream. Helping others, being successful and living debt free! Greg’s passion for sustainable land management and livestock grazing practices has proven he’s a leading figure in this field.

How we found out about Greg Judy

When a farmer friend of mine in South Dakota found out we quit the corporate life in Jacksonville to start TnF Farms, he said with some humor “You better go beg for your cushy office jobs back. Do you realize how much work this is?”

The phone conversation between us guys had a lot of playful jabbing about Florida soil having nothing on Midwest black dirt, our little slow growing heritage pigs and tiny goats aren’t going to yield anything. How we needed to focus on “fast growing, big pig breeds and get some cows” if we want to “waste our time on goats, we should at least get big ones like Nubians”.

We love our American Guinea hogs and Nigerian Dwarf goats.

After all the playing around, the conversation went back to a casual seriousness. “Do you know who Greg Judy is? Y’all better go look him up. He’s going to save you a lot of headache”.

We want to give credit where it’s due. Neighbors have helped us along the way, and one really took us under their wing when we just got started. But thank goodness that phone call happened. Greg Judy’s insights have been a fountain of information. For your journey in getting started, Greg and Judy are successful YouTubers and we suggest you go subscribe to their channel. Greg is also an author who has educated and inspired countless new farmers like us and helped existing farmers to be better and more efficient. Greg is also the inventor the round Bale Un-Roller. Ok, he didn’t invent the bale unroller you see for trucks or tractors. But he took an existing implement and made it better.

The Greg Judy Bale Un-Roller

The Judys have more of a cattle focus which makes his unroller genius vs the standard round bale feeder. Greg’s innovative product simplifies the process of feeding livestock and improves efficiency on the farm. Greg’s can be pulled by a small, nimble machine like a side-by-side, even a 4 wheeler or large mower. By unrolling hay bales rather than feeding them whole, ranchers can reduce waste and encourage rotational grazing, which promotes soil health, forage growth and slows erosion. The Bale Unroller is an example of what we love. Seeing an opportunity to make a better, more practical solution. Ideas like this and all the information he shares freely is why we think Greg Judy is a legend.

Greg Judy YouTube Channel

The YouTube channel is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture. If you’re a steady YouTube watcher like we are, the video production quality is not the focus. Some scenes could have a bit more punchier information for the small attention span crowd. But the value is there for those that pay attention. Greg’s sincerity, energy and kind nature shine through. We hope to meet Greg Judy someday. They have over 100,000 subscribers and a library of informative videos. Greg offers practical insights into rotational grazing, pasture management, and sustainable farming practices. His on-farm demonstrations and experiences provide viewers with a firsthand look at how regenerative ranching can transform landscapes and improve your farm’s soil health.

The Green Pastures Farm website

Greg Judy’s website, Green Pastures Farm, serves as a hub for resources on regenerative ranching. Visitors can find a wealth of information on topics ranging from grazing techniques to holistic land management. The site also includes valuable tools like grazing charts and planning templates, making it an indispensable resource for both novice and experienced ranchers. Greg also has schools for groups, offers on-farm consulting and has internships.

Greg Judy Books

A successful author, Greg Judy has several books that delve deep into the principles and practices of regenerative ranching. Some of his notable works include “No Risk Ranching,” “Comeback Farms,” and “How to Think Like a Grazer.” These books offer detailed insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice that empower readers to implement regenerative practices on their own farms. The books are available at greenpastures.net where you can buy from Greg and Jan directly. There’s no affiliate link embedded. Verses going and getting his books from Amazon – unless you want it on Kindle.

We’re still learning

In the research for this post, we were blown away that Greg and Jan Judy don’t have a page on the Wikipedia. Their dedication to regenerative ranching has made the Judys respected figures in the agricultural community. The Judys’ work continues to make a positive impact on the world of agriculture, promoting healthier landscapes and more sustainable food production. To learn more about Greg Judy’s work and join the regenerative farming movement, be sure to explore his website and YouTube channel and take a look at his books.