Conservation Update: 2021

It's been about six months since I updated you all on our ongoing conservation activity (or in-activity as it might better be described) on the farm. In that time, a lot has happened! Here are some current events on the farm from a conservation perspective:

We got back our report from Virginia Working Landscapes, which details the 38 bird species and 44 plant species surveyed from the 3 test plots on the farm. The data from Bellair has been combined with data from across the region. Already, VWL has been able to make some preliminary observations regarding grasshopper sparrow populations, one of their target species. What they have found is that grasshopper sparrow populations correlate to the timing and conditions for hay-mowing. This data is critical in helping to define what practices are best for both agriculture and wildlife. VWL has a great newsletter where they share info like this. One cool thing about Bellair is that we have a super grasshopper sparrow population! It's hard to drive down to the fields without seeing one :)

We are beginning a project with James River Association to establish wider buffers along the Hardware River and some of the perennial streams that flow into it. We hope that in the long term, the maturing habitats will stabilize the soil against erosion and help mitigate drainage and flooding concerns. It's been a joy to work with Anne-Marie of JRA because she understands fitting the needs of the farm business in with the conservation goals. Along the edges of our veggies fields, they will plant trees in a short-to-tall arrangement to allow for maximum buffer without blocking the precious sun that we need to grow our crops.

Cynnie, the farm owner, has initiated her own meadow project up at her house and along the main drive with the help of a private conservation company. We've also invested about $100 into wildflower seed that we will use to enhance certain areas of the farm: our pollinator garden in the PYO, a particularly wet spot in the front field, and on the site of a burn scar along one of the power line cuts.

New Sustainability Measures at the Farm
On top of all the other farm-related thoughts, we've been brainstorming ideas to improve our sustainability as a business. Here are some things we're working on now:

Crew member Alice has been researching different compostable bags to replace (most of) the plastic we've been using. We've used bags like these in the past but there are hurdles on sourcing and quality. We are testing two varieties now to make sure they will keep greens fresh to our standards.

We have been collecting sheet cardboard from pallets and large boxes. Feel free to bring us your tape and plastic free cardboard. We will re-use this material to create a weed barrier in our pick-your own field pathways.

We will likely begin pre-sorting our recyclable waste on the farm. We have a "single-stream" commercial dumpster from Vanderlinde, but they are only pulling large metal and similar items. Most of our aluminum cans, cardboard, etc. are probably ending up in the landfill. We will do a pilot program this year and see how it feels.

Here's the site of a small wildfire that happened on the farm, sparked by a downed tree on the wire. Our neighbor saw it from the road and alerted us to the fire. After the fire department put the fire out, Bellair's care-taker of 30+ years, Andy, discovered a tree that was still smoldering and cut it down, potentially saving acres of forest! We will throw down some seed in this spot, which is now conveniently cleared of unwanted species! Puppy dog for scale :)