‘‘Hey guys, come on,” he urged after pulling back part of the wire fence separating the cows from a new paddock of long, green grass. The cows quieted down as they lumbered toward their fresh meal.

Heller, who is raising his cows on an all-grass diet, recently started a new program through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro that he hopes will help farmers in the county and around the state raise their own cows exclusively on grass.

The program, called the Maryland Grazers Network, will connect experienced mentor farmers with those who want to learn about raising grass-fed cattle. Participants will visit each other’s farms and talk about how to manage herds and pasture land.

‘‘The mentors can help farmers achieve a system without going through the mistake phase,” Heller said.

Source: Business Gazette