RUDOLPH, WISC. (September 29, 2026) — The Nationwide Audubon Society pronounces that Flaig Household Farm, dwelling to the Prairie Pastured Beef enterprise owned and operated by Carl Flaig and his household close to Junction Metropolis, Wisconsin, has earned Audubon’s Chook-Pleasant Land Certification. Awarded by the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the certification acknowledges producers who handle working lands to reinforce biodiversity, productiveness, and the longevity of grassland ecosystems for birds and the individuals who rely upon them.
Audubon Conservation Ranching is a science-based certification program designed to help high-quality grassland hen habitat on working lands. Over the previous 50 years, grassland birds have skilled the steepest population declines of any terrestrial biome in North America, largely as a result of habitat loss and degradation. As a result of most grassland species stay on non-public land, working with landowners and managers is the best means to assist these birds at scale.
Throughout the USA, greater than 160 farms and ranches spanning 4.7 million acres have earned Audubon’s Chook-Pleasant Land Certification, now together with Flaig Household Farm, dwelling to the household’s Prairie Pastured Beef enterprise. With the Flaig farm’s certification, seven Wisconsin farms representing greater than 2,000 bird-friendly acres at the moment are licensed by Audubon Conservation Ranching.
Stewardship and respect for the land have all the time been central to Carl Flaig’s strategy to grass-based agriculture, however since becoming a member of Audubon Conservation Ranching, he has embraced this system’s requirements for habitat administration, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
“Carl is the consummate grazer who thinks about all the grassland ecosystem with each transfer of his cattle in his managed grazing system,” mentioned Ashly Steinke, Grassland Ecologist for the Audubon Conservation Ranching program within the Nice Lakes. “Since we began working with him, Carl has tweaked his grazing and haying regime, eliminated tree rows, and carried out two prescribed burns to scale back woody encroachment. It’s actually my pleasure to work with somebody like Carl to reverse the lack of grassland nesting birds.”
Bought by Carl’s dad and mom in 1952, the farm started as a dairy operation earlier than transitioning to grass-based livestock manufacturing below Carl’s management within the Nineteen Eighties. Celebrating greater than 70 years on their authentic 350 acres, the Flaig household has since grown their operation to round 600 acres of linked grasslands. At this time, the household’s operation features a cow-calf enterprise, aquaponics operation, and Prairie Pastured Beef, which sells domestically raised meat at farmers’ markets.
“I care deeply about creating protected locations for grassland birds to forage and nest on my farm,” Flaig mentioned. “Audubon has been an essential chief in our space, serving to landowners like me enhance habitat for wildlife and set new conservation objectives. Seeing these concepts beginning to come to life, and watching birds thrive on my land, motivates me to maintain going. I additionally know these grazing practices assist me produce a higher-quality meat product.”
Flaig Household Farm is positioned within the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Space, one of many state’s most important areas for grassland hen conservation and residential to Wisconsin’s final remaining teams of Better Prairie-Chickens and the most important inhabitants of Quick-eared Owls. The farm can be in the course of the Paul J. Olson Wildlife Space, instantly bought by the state to save lots of the Better Prairie-Rooster.
Flaig’s land administration methods, together with high-intensity grazing with lengthy durations of relaxation, create a mosaic of habitat that helps a spread of grassland species. Upland Sandpipers and Better Prairie-Chickens favor not too long ago grazed areas with patches of brief vegetation, whereas different precedence species equivalent to Bobolinks, Jap Meadowlarks, and Savannah Sparrows depend on the rested areas with taller grass. Flaig Household Farm additionally practices bird-friendly haying, leaving blocks of grassland undisturbed in the course of the nesting season.
“Whereas Carl is continually observing Bobolinks and meadowlarks, his real love and dedication is to the state-threatened Better Prairie-Rooster,” Steinke mentioned. “Carl has been working so laborious to attempt to carry a lek again to his farm.”
Flaig Household Farm traditionally supported two Better Prairie-Rooster leks, with one remaining lively in the present day simply throughout the county highway from the household’s pastures. To help this species, Flaig additionally manages cattle on Wisconsin Division of Pure Sources-owned land adjoining to his farm, strategically rotating cattle to enhance and preserve habitat that Better Prairie-Chickens rely upon.
“Our greatest struggle proper now’s attempting to save lots of the Better Prairie-Rooster,” Flaig mentioned. “I’d hate to see the day after I do not get to listen to them booming in April. With out grazing and this work with Audubon, we’d be a lot nearer to shedding this species.”
Throughout the Nice Lakes, producers like Flaig are working to help a spread of grassland birds. Since launching in Wisconsin in 2024, Audubon Conservation Ranching has helped certify seven farms throughout greater than 2,000 acres of bird-friendly habitat. By selecting merchandise carrying the Chook-Pleasant Land Certification seal, shoppers can instantly help farmers and ranchers who’re serving to defend a few of North America’s fastest-declining hen species.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
Audubon Conservation Ranching companions with ranchers to maintain wholesome grasslands, ample birdlife, and resilient rural communities. By way of our bird-friendly land certification and science-based strategy, we empower land stewards to reinforce habitat, enhance soil well being and water high quality, and strengthen the connection between conservation and ranching. By buying merchandise from Audubon Licensed Chook-Pleasant Land, shoppers grow to be conservationists, serving to defend America’s grasslands and the birds, wildlife, and those who rely upon them. For extra info, go to www.audubon.org/ranching.
