Caff

MAY 2, 2024

On April 10th, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted a field day at Heartwood Farms in Linden, CA with farmers Franz Eilers and Emma Wade to discuss all things compost and pest management on their biologically-integrated walnut and cherry orchards. Franz and Emma explain their composting process.

Compost 52

Compost Orchard Farming Farming 52

Caff

APRIL 15, 2024

These collaborations have provided snapshots of how practices like compost, cover crops, livestock integration and reduced tillage (to name a few) can impact soil health on a given farm in a given region.

Science 110

Science Ecology Agriculture Agriculture 110

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

OREI also prioritizes research that takes place on working farms, like this research project that investigated the pest management services a robust bird population can provide orchards. These include: Livestock and poultry breed development for organic systems. Yet, knowledge gaps remain that warrant additional research attention.

Food 105

Food Seeding Crop Poultry 105

ATTRA

JANUARY 15, 2025

Additionally, the department has opened a Disaster Hay and Livestock Resources Assistance Portal to connect suppliers with those in need. My orchards and nursery were in complete disarray due to wind damage, but even so, I was spared much of the grief many others are still battling.

Farmland 52

Farmland Orchard Compost Livestock 52

Modern Farmer

OCTOBER 6, 2023

Livestock, heavy machinery and hikers along mountain paths create compaction, not just lawns. To build sustainable soil structure with plenty of bacteria, fungi and protozoa, we made compost by processing kitchen scraps in a tumbler. When the compost is mature, we mix it with dirt when planting.

Meadow 117

Meadow Greenhouse Compost Soil Compaction 117

Civil Eats

DECEMBER 10, 2024

By the time Byron passed away in 1931, he had accumulated 2,000 acres, on which he grew timber and raised livestock. Grover established a peach orchard in 1935, and cultivated grain and raised livestock until the late 1970s. On the farm, Arthur raised some livestock and vegetables but mostly grew row crops like tobacco.

Plantation 144

Plantation Farming Farming Acre 144

Caff

OCTOBER 22, 2024

When they purchased the farm over 30 years ago it was an unproductive almond orchard and since then they have pulled the almonds out and utilized the sloped landscape to construct swales, establish a vineyard, and plant a wide variety of fruit trees which provide shelter while their flock of ducks grazes.

Orchard 52

Orchard Farming Farming Construction 52