ECOLOGICAL INITIATIVES
ACTIVATED BIOCHAR
In 2022, we considered options for soil amendments. We have an abundance of fallen timber on the property and built a small pyrolysis container. The char produced is inoculated with bokashi and a massive amount of organic waste yields an excellent soil amendment. We plan on building a larger machine and potentially offering biochar as a commercial farm product.
SOIL HEALTH
We can plant anything we'd like, but soil health determines crop viability, yield, etc. In cooperation with Virginia Tech's Soil Lab, we collect numerous samples from the farm on an annual basis to keep track of the numbers. When needed, we use natural pelleted fertilizers to minimize runoff and direct applications of pH controlling additives when necessary. This results in excellent quality hay and produce.
DRIP IRRIGATION
Our gardens and greenhouse are equipped with drip irrigation systems that significantly reduce the amount of water used to grow our produce. This allows for controlled delivery and can be tailored to crop requirements. Our water is supplied by a natural aquifer, so absolutely no pumps or electricity are required.
LIDAR MONITORING
Working in conjunction with Virginia Tech Geosciences, we use the latest science available to monitor our fields. We have nearly 1/2 mile of creek frontage in an area that floods occasionally and Lidar is one of the best tools to monitor erosion or identify specific areas undergoing natural changes. We're nerds. We know.
BIODIVERSITY PRESERVATION
We're supporters of Virginia Game and Wildlife conservation measures, including controlled hunting for population control and to provide food. We track our wildlife populations using game cameras and the presence of indicator species. Nearly 1/2 of the farm is natural, wooded area and backs up to thousands of acres of National Forest. We have an abundance of deer, turkey, foxes, black bear, and squirrels. Additionally, about 1/2 mile of Craig's creek meanders through our property and is home to numerous types of fish.
EBF ICON ADOPTION
The Ecological Benefits Framework (EBF) provides a foundational architecture to transform global ecological benefits markets both by increasing transparency, trust, quality, and equity and by accelerating the coordinated delivery of positive financial and environmental impacts. By developing a shared framework, EBF can create alignment across public and private sectors to support the rapid deployment of strategic capital for activities that create measurable, life-affirming ecological impacts.