F
Hello to all of you across the Northeast and Nationally.
You may have heard, through the media or the rumor mill that I have taken a new position with the National Grazing Lands Coalition and away from my storied tenure at the Madison County (NY) Soil and Water Conservation District and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition as their grazing specialist. It’s true, see below:
My goal is to be a connector, bringing farmers together who love grass-based agriculture. There’s so many connections, from soil to sod, animals to people’s health and making sure folks know the revered plants hold on to the next generation’s topsoil and sequester precious moisture. It takes people to understand and manage based on science, observation and adaptability.
How will I be doing this you ask? The 61 year old knows people who want to work on stewarding our awesome grassland natural resource. The most exciting part is how many opportunities lie ahead of us. I’ll be bringing folks together with pasture walks, workshops, pilot projects and sponsoring events. I’ll keep promoting and writing. I’ll be training service providers. I’ll be partnering with diverse like-minded groups. I’ll be working to facilitate state grazing coalitions who will be the go to folks for their community. I’ll keep grazing here and keep walking the talk. I’ll just keep working for ya’ll.
Press Release 11/2/2025
National Grazing Lands Coalition
Ellen Harrell, NatGLC Director of Marketing & Communications
(225) 328-2445 ellen@grazinglands.org
National Grazing Lands Coalition announces new Northeast Staff Member
Castle Pines, CO — The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) welcomes Central New York grass farmer Troy Bishopp to lead organizational efforts in the Northeast region. Known to many as the “Grass Whisperer,” Bishopp brings 40 years of dedicated grassland and grazing management stewardship and mentoring to farmers, conservation professionals, ag service providers and the large consumer base.
He practices what he preaches on his family’s farm and will be a great asset in making connections with grass-based operations, promoting the value of healthy grazing lands, advocating for the needs of diverse grass farmers, developing local and state grazing coalitions, providing technical assistance, facilitating training workshops and putting pilot projects on the ground. His work area includes: NY, PA, VT, ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, KY and OH.
“I’ve long known Troy and his passion for Eastern grazing lands,” NatGLC Director of Education & Planning Kim Stine said. “I’m so excited that he brings that passion to NatGLC and I look forward to his on-the-ground work with grass farmers.”
Troy joins the NatGLC team as one of four recently hired resource managers. Kendra Young, Bill Fox, Chris Workman, and Troy Bishopp will be available for farmers in the Western, Central, Southeastern, and Northeastern regions respectively. Adding these highly qualified individuals as a local resource to farmers has been a priority of NatGLC’s for a long time. It is extremely gratifying to the organization to have the opportunity to provide this service.
NatGLC’s Northeast Regional At-Large Board Member and Northeast Pasture Consortium Executive Director, Jenn Colby emphasized, “Troy immediately hit the ground running with ideas and activities to level-up grazing across the region that he knows and loves so much. I am excited to see where this partnership with Troy and NatGLC takes us next.”
“For me, there has never been a greater mission than being a management-forward,holistic minded, grazing practitioner, advocate for pasture-based systems and being a mentor to those who are seeking a resilient, grassland’s context for their operation,” said Bishopp. “I lead by example. This isn’t my job, it’s my life. I honor my roots and put in the work on the ground, for my children and grandchildren, yours and mine. It’s my duty to care for the grazing land that sustains us and pay it forward as my mentors have done for me.”
Founded in 1991, NatGLC is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of grazing lands across the United States. Through collaborative efforts with state coalitions, producers, and other stakeholders, NatGLC promotes practices that ensure the long-term health and productivity of these vital landscapes. NatGLC works with individuals nation-wide to maintain and improve the management and health of the Nation’s grazing lands, both private and public.
Led by farmers and ranchers, NatGLC’s Board of Directors are made up of representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forage & Grassland Council, American Sheep Industry Association, the Dairy Industry, Indian Nations Conservation Alliance, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, Noble Research Institute, Public Lands Council, Society for Range Management, Soil and Water Conservation Society and Small Farmers and Ranchers.
To connect with the National Grazing Lands Coalition visit: www.grazinglands.org.
Troy Bishopp can be reached at troy@grazinglands.com
Thank You
Philosopher William James said, “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”
This most basic appreciation goes out to my conservation family who have inspired me personally, professionally and spiritually on my life’s journey, “To Try”. Even the naysayers get a nod for their contribution, in forcing you to look inside yourself, to be your true self. Before I’m put out to pasture, I received word of a higher calling to work for the National Grazing Lands Coalition (www.grazinglands.org/who-we-are) as their Northeast Regional Resource Grazing Manager encompassing 15 states.
As I transition away from my beloved Madison County District and the farmers I serve, you’ll find that my energies for work “from the ground up” will be expanded to other communities. The lessons, connections, observations, training and experience that I have had the privilege to learn from all of you will benefit even more practitioners on the land. Thank you.
What I have learned from you is also mirrored on our NYS accredited Century Farm which looks a bit different from when I started over 19 years ago. If you walk my land (which some of you have), you’ll notice the subtleties of your influence from the trees planted to the vibrant, diverse pastures, abundant wildlife and the increased water holding capacity of our soils. Know this, your knowledge, friendship and cheerleading will be forever appreciated.
Caitlin asked me the standard interview questions but in GW fashion, I wanted to add some personal reflections. I’ll never forget how you made me feel, when I attributed my district merit award to my pal, Bob Weaver (RIP) and got a standing ovation honoring “one of the good guys”. It was an honor to recognize my boss, Steve Lorraine for the Croney Award who exemplifies the grit and determination to help customers with a mentality that’s brutally honest. I’ll always appreciate our banter sessions and him allowing me the flexibility to learn and lead others.
Whether emceeing the WQS, getting back-stories, planting trees, partnering on sold-out grazing events, taking countless pictures, putting projects on the ground, leading trainings, making quirky soundbites and videos or writing a story or a eulogy, my life is full as I ready for this career change to take the message of stewardship to a higher level and break the stereotype of the “best kept secret in conservation”.
I will never stop advocating for personal and professional growth, having fun and getting yourself lined up for “Awesome”, with the proper training. As the “old, seasoned, git-er-done, guy”, you must take charge of your own destiny and get the training you need by always, always looking for opportunities to mentor with someone for a day, see actual projects, listen to customer’s needs and seek out advice or alternatives that fit the proper context. You must be an active participant in your lifelong journey of learning. And whenever there’s an obstacle, I subscribe to asking for forgiveness not permission :).
My home base will still be on the farm with my family so I’ll be available if you have a question or a pasture walk to get up and running. I’ll also be looking to facilitate grazing groups of farmers and so I may be calling you to help make connections and partner on grass-centric projects and initiatives.
Thank you again for taking me under your wing with a fulfilling career choice and remember: Observe the little things and learn how they effect the BIG things on a journey to optimize for happiness” ~ Troy Bishopp
It’s 3am again
Leave a Reply