Ghirardelli Associates’ Post

An “agrihood” is a planned community centering around a working farm. They don’t all look the same – while some agrihoods might require residents to get their hands dirty, others may offer volunteer opportunities for direct farming experience, without any explicit requirement. Meanwhile, the food grown onsite supports the immediate community. Residents can sign up for CSAs, or shop at a farmer’s market right outside their door. While agrihoods aren’t new, they are growing in popularity in the US. Advocates of agrihoods say that these communities allow for direct investment in farming, creating more stability for small-scale farms. The draw for the resident community is easy access to fresh, healthy food. Would you move to an agrihood? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3vys71E

Happy Pollinator Week (June 17 - 23)! It's amazing how something as small as a bee can have such a huge impact on our ecosystem. Did you know that "pollinators provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1,200 crops"? That means 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators! (pollinator.org) There are many ways to protect and raise awareness for our pollinators. This Pollinator Week, you can: 🌿 Make your garden more pollinator-friendly: https://buff.ly/3RXBkcv 🐝 Join the pollinator community through fun activities: https://buff.ly/3VM4D3U 🌍 Increase your awareness of the impact of pollinators: https://buff.ly/2EFHI27 Let's learn to protect our pollinators so they can continue to provide for us. #PollinatorWeek

When pollinators come to mind, honeybees often take center stage. But let’s also shine a spotlight on our overlooked native bees for their vital role in pollinating most plants and crops – and their hard work is truly remarkable! 🌺🐝 #DidYouKnow, native bees like the Southeastern blueberry bee can easily outshine their non-native counterparts on the job, pollinating up to 4 times more efficiently? 💪 Armed with unique capabilities like “buzz pollination”, a behavior that allows native bees to shake pollen more effectively, these tireless workers are pollination powerhouses for our ecosystems. Join the movement to champion North America’s hardest workers today: https://lnkd.in/erqhFheJ #PeopleForPollinators #ForNature #SaveTheBees

Spring in Iowa began with an unprecedented number of severe storms, and several of WesleyLife's locations were without power for varied periods of time, causing disruptions in processes. But as our Hydroponic Farm Manager, Aaron Thormodsen, recounts from earlier this month, our team members are nothing if not innovative. Enjoy his story of how the hydroponic farm and quick-thinking WesleyLife Meals on Wheels team members saved the day! *** "The Friday before last, the power went out before the kitchen could make the planned meal of the day for our Meals on Wheels clients throughout Central Iowa," Aaron says. "Looking for something they could prep quickly, the kitchen decided to use the greens we had harvested in the farm earlier that week to make salads for the meals going out. "This isn't just a great example of synergy between the Meals on Wheels kitchen and the farm, but also a fantastic example of the value of local agriculture and how controlled environment agriculture (CEA) improves food infrastructure. In an emergency when other food options were not available, we were able to ensure that folks got fresh and healthy meals because we grew the greens ourselves. "It's often discussed that CEA can help improve food security in emergencies, but it's often in theory. Rarely do you see a real example of it happening. This was a great solution that resulted in no one having to go hungry that day. "I also want to give a shout-out to Payten Watson, our AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, pictured here, for helping to ensure this farm operates smoothly and provides the nutritious greens it does, even when the power is out." Way to go, Aaron, Meals on Wheels, Payten, and everyone associated with this smart work-around. We are proud of our team members and their quick thinking and innovative solutions! #hydroponics #hydroponicfarming #mealsonwheels

Are you optimizing your grazing strategy for long-term water security in arid regions? 🌾 Explore the transformative potential of our Holistic Planned Grazing course. Learn how to leverage holistic decision-making to not only enhance animal performance but also regenerate your land over the long term. From meticulously crafting grazing plans to strategically managing animal impact, acquire the expertise required to ensure that your grazing practices make a meaningful and positive contribution to the ecosystem. Elevate your approach to grazing and become a trailblazer in sustainable agriculture. #HolisticPlannedGrazing #WatershedManagement #SustainableAgriculture #EcosystemRegeneration #ProfessionalDevelopment

Please have a read of our latest blog post , all about what we've been up to on the farm for the last 6 months #blog #newblogpost #farmlife #northumberland

Have you heard the buzz? 🐝 NC State is home to a nationally renowned apiculture program that helps promote and protect honey bees. Led by Extension specialist David Tarpy, the program's research, instruction and extension works to ensure the essential pollinator's health for generations to come. Check out some buzzworthy facts about honey bees: 🐝 Honey bees are responsible for pollinating 80% of all flowering plants. 🐝 More than a third of the world's food supply relies on honey bees for pollination. 🐝 Honey bees are the workhorses of North Carolina's $111 billion agriculture industry, helping to sustain our food supply and economy. Learn more about the bustling lives of North Carolina bees and how NC State promotes and protects these pollinators: http://ncst.at/yvW250SmOCY

Pollinators are essential to our ecosystem. Over 75% of the world's flowering plants and 35% of the world's crops rely on pollinators. Did you know that one out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators? They not only are essential for our food production but also support healthy ecosystems. That's why, over the course of September, park and recreation agencies across the country are holding Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz. What's a BioBlitz? It's an event where community members work with park agencies to collect observations on pollinators in their area. This raises awareness of pollinators (they're more than just bumblebees!), increases local data on species, and supports local parks. If you are looking to get involved, it's not too late! Turn to your local park agency, wherever they post updates to see if they are participating. Download the iNaturalist app and find your local BioBlitz, join, and start making observations! For agencies who haven't signed up, there's still time! We encourage sign ups throughout September. Join during the month to win one of three $1,000 prizes and one of three Scotts Miracle-Gro prize packs to help with your pollinator habitats or programs! The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Learn more: https://bit.ly/4auoxEt #PowerOfParks #Parks4Pollinators #BioBlitz

At #OutwardFarms, our name is a reflection of our philosophy—giving our "ladies" the freedom to live their best lives, outdoors, just as nature intended. Our hens have the space to roam, forage, frolic, and soak up the sun in wide, open pastures. 🐓🌱 We believe that vibrant, healthy hens produce eggs that are better for both you and the planet. That’s why we’re committed to providing an environment where our hens can thrive and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, outside in nature. Outward isn't just a direction for us—it’s a symbol of our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and ethical farming. We take pride in producing eggs you can feel good about, knowing they're made with care for our hens and the environment. https://lnkd.in/e2vwagCr #OhioEggs #SustainableAgriculture #Agribusiness #AnimalWelfare #FoodIndustry

Agricultural life is an important part of Western traditions. My Denver Post article tells where you can learn more about this lifestyle and the people and animals that are part of what shaped the West. https://lnkd.in/gBkugmcM #cattledrive #trailingofthesheep #westerntraditions