Although the cows tend to get a lot of the spotlight here on the farm (I ❤️cows), we sometimes forget to highlight all the work we put towards enhancing the biodiversity.
We practice regenerative agriculture techniques, which include things like not using pesticides or herbicides, rotationally grazing our cows onto fresh grass each day, protecting our soil health by using no-till methods, and establishing a variety of plant/animal/insect species.
We have also worked extensively for the past 2 years planting trees in our old hedgerows to provide shade for cows, animal habitats and corridors and provide windbreaks for the future. We have participated in soil studies and bird inventories and are very proud that we have a large population of several bird species at risk (i.e., Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Swallows, etc.).
We have so many monarch butterflies this year it’s incredible! With a vast amount of thistles this year due to the drought, the butterflies have benefitted greatly.
In addition to cows and chickens we also keep a few bee hives. The bees are such an important part of any healthy ecosystem and we cannot thank them enough. They seem to enjoy our multiple varieties of clovers, trefoil, buckwheat and lots of sunflowers starting to bloom. Lots to keep bees busy🐝 🌻
