Year: 2024

04 Dec 2024
Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Around Greenacres – Fall 2024

Around Greenacres - Fall 2024

Equine Education: Math in Motion

This fall marks an exciting milestone for the Equine department—our first year offering equine education day programs. Tailored for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students, these hands-on field trips bring math to life through engaging, horse-centered activities.

Each field trip includes a stall tour, giving students an up-close experience with our horses and ponies. By integrating mathematical concepts into equine activities, we make learning fun and interactive, showing students that math truly is all around us.

6th Grade: Polygons and Ratios

On October 1st, we hosted our first 6th-grade field trip focused on polygons. Students measured areas in dressage arenas, stacked hay bale cubes, and painted polygons directly onto horses—a clear favorite activity. Later in the month, students explored ratios by comparing horses to ponies, calculating feed quantities based on body weight, and determining movement rates as they compared speeds across different gaits.

8th Grade: Pythagorean Theorem

Our 8th-grade program debuted with activities highlighting the Pythagorean theorem. Students measured horse conformation points, calculated 2D and 3D jump measurements, and determined jump-field distances to see the theorem in action.

We’ve had a wonderful time blending math and equine education and are already brainstorming more creative activities for next year. Sharing the joy of learning math through the world of horses has been an incredible experience.

Tracking Our Secretive Neighbors

Did you know that each eastern box turtle has a unique shell pattern, much like a fingerprint? This fascinating feature is the cornerstone of Greenacres’ Box Turtle Tracking Program, which has been helping us better understand the behavior and range of our resident turtles since 2019.

The program relies entirely on chance encounters by Greenacres employees. When a box turtle is spotted, the employee photographs the carapace and plastron (the top and bottom shell) and records the turtle’s GPS location. This data, or “capture,” is added to a database where the shell patterns are compared to determine if the turtle has been previously documented. If a match is found, the turtle is considered a “recapture,” and its new GPS location is added to track its movements.

As of the end of the 2024 season, the program has documented 140 unique turtles across all Greenacres sites, with 25 recaptures. Impressively, 29 employees from departments such as Education, Research, Livestock, and Buildings and Grounds have contributed to this project, showcasing the cross-departmental collaboration that Greenacres values.

The program has also inspired a hands-on curriculum for students. Activities like “Bowl Turtle Tracking” give students a chance to simulate the tracking process. They design and hide their own “bowl turtles,” recording captures and recaptures and even mapping their movements during extended activities like summer camps.

Tracking eastern box turtles has been a rewarding journey for employees and students alike, offering unique insights into the lives of these elusive creatures. By combining conservation and education, the program has deepened our connection to the land and its hidden inhabitants while fostering a sense of stewardship in all who participate.

Dung Beetles: Vital Allies in Soil and Livestock Health

At Greenacres, we’re all about soil health, and using livestock is a great way to improve soil fertility. But livestock have a little helper that assists in boosting soil health: the dung beetle. Dung beetles are part of the interface between cattle and soil. Without them, some of the nutrients present in dung are released to the atmosphere as gas, remain locked in the dung as it dries out, or remain on the soil surface where the dung was deposited.

Dung beetles tunnel into the soil and take dung with them to provision their nests, thereby relocating carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients deeper into the soil. These tunnels also improve other aspects of soil health, such as increased air and water flow within the soil and reduced compaction. Dung beetles support our cattle’s health too. Dung beetles are a direct habitat competitor with some flies, a major pest of our cattle. The faster dung is recycled, the less time and space these flies have to breed, and the happier our cattle.

The research department tracks dung beetle populations to ensure that our management is benefiting dung beetles. In an experiment at our Lewis Township farm in Brown County, we found that a different pasture vegetation supports different dung beetle species, providing more evidence for the idea that diversity of habitat promotes diversity of species.

Pictured here is the Research department’s favorite native dung beetle, the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex). Next time you’re in the new farm market, see if you can find him on our murals.

Supporting Wildlife for Healthier Pastures

This fall, the Livestock department took an innovative approach to natural fly control by preparing bird boxes for installation across the farm. These boxes, built by students at the Diamond Oaks Career Development Center and the Indian Hill school leadership class, were crafted to attract tree swallows and bluebirds—two bird species known for their incredible ability to consume flies. Each bird could eat up to 8,000 flies, providing a natural solution to reduce fly pressure on our animals while enhancing their overall comfort and health.

The bird boxes are temporarily stored near the equine offices and kennel house while members of our Livestock and Buildings and Grounds teams collaborate to gather materials and finalize the plans for field installation. Once installed, these bird boxes will not only improve conditions for our livestock but also create habitats for local bird populations, contributing to biodiversity and environmental balance on the farm.

This project demonstrates the power of collaboration and sustainable practices, showing how small, thoughtful actions could lead to significant benefits for both our animals and the surrounding ecosystem.

Oldenburg Academy Culinary Students Visit Michaela Farm

The culinary class from Oldenburg Academy recently visited Michaela Farm to enhance their learning experience. During their first visit, the Greenacres education and livestock teams guided students in exploring egg production and the care of laying hens. The students engaged in hands-on activities including collecting, washing, and packaging eggs, and gained insight into industry terms such as “Free Range,” “Cage-Free,” and “Pasture-Raised.”

In a follow-up visit, The culinary students learned from the education and garden teams about the process of growing garlic from seed cloves. Late October through early November is the ideal planting season, and the students helped plant individual garlic cloves that will produce bulbs next summer. We look forward to hosting Oldenburg Academy students again soon!

Crafting the Finishing Touches

This fall, the Buildings & Grounds team put in tremendous effort to complete the Nippert Barn Agriculture Education and Farm Market, the newest addition to the Greenacres property. Their craftsmanship and dedication brought the project to life, adding thoughtful, handmade details that reflect Greenacres’ commitment to quality and sustainability.

The team crafted and finished cabinetry, tables, and display casings, built wooden peg boards, installed fences and gates, and even seeded grass to enhance the surrounding landscape. Each piece was meticulously designed and executed, showcasing their skill and care.

Their hard work played a significant role in the completion of this exciting new space, ensuring it was ready to serve as a hub for education and connection to the land. The Nippert Barn project is a testament to the Buildings & Grounds team’s dedication and craftsmanship.

Growing Connections

This fall, the Garden department is excited to share updates on opportunities and offerings that connect the community to our work in sustainable agriculture and floral artistry.

Greenacres Cultivation Club

Recruiting soon, the Greenacres Cultivation Club invites volunteers to join our garden team one Saturday a month. Participants will gain hands-on experience with sustainable gardening practices, learn innovative techniques for growing vegetables and flowers, and assist with seasonal tasks around the farm. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just curious, this is a great opportunity to engage with generative agriculture and see how we grow food and flowers locally. Registration details will be announced soon—stay tuned!

Dried Floral Wreaths

Available now in the Farm Market, our dried floral wreaths are a seasonal favorite. Carefully handcrafted from flowers grown and preserved on the farm, these wreaths are perfect as a holiday decoration or a thoughtful gift. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait to grab yours!

The Garden department continues to innovate and inspire through sustainable practices, educational opportunities, and offerings that celebrate the beauty of the fall season.

Hosting Green and Sustainable Events at Greenacres

The Events department at Greenacres is dedicated to creating memorable experiences while prioritizing environmental stewardship. This fall, we focused on hosting sustainable mission events, including our Farm to Table Dinner, incorporating practices that align with our generative mission. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

    • Farm-to-Table Ingredients: For our Farm to Table Dinner, we featured products from Greenacres’ generative farm, including fresh produce and pasture-raised meats.
    • Reducing Waste: We use china, glassware, silverware, linen napkins, and linenless tables, minimizing the need for disposables. When disposables are necessary, we opt for compostable serviceware over plastics.
    • Repurposed Decor: Dried flowers are reused across multiple events for centerpieces, and we recycle decor like candles and lanterns to avoid unnecessary purchases.
    • Mindful Quantities: Careful planning prevents over-ordering food, reducing waste and ensuring that leftovers are managed responsibly.
    • Composting Efforts: Food scraps and florals are composted and reused in our compost facility, closing the loop on waste. We also donate leftover florals when possible.
    • Sustainable Tools: We’ve swapped paper programs for digital QR codes and use reusable bags or containers for transport, cutting down on single-use plastics.
    • Client Education: We share these sustainable practices with our guests, inspiring them to consider eco-friendly options for their own events.

Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t just make events beautiful and seamless—it demonstrates how mindful practices can leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Whether you’re hosting with us or attending an event, we hope these ideas spark inspiration for your own celebrations!

04 Oct 2024
Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Education Center & Farm Market: Greenacres Expands at Nippert Barn

Education Center & Farm Market: Greenacres Expands at Nippert Barn

If you’ve driven by our Indian Hill locations on Spooky Hollow Road this year, you’ve probably noticed the construction on our north campus. We are excited to announce that the Nippert Barn is being renovated to serve as our second dedicated agricultural education center and the new home of our Farm Market. Once completed, it will offer guests of all ages unique opportunities to experience Greenacres in new and engaging ways.

Children attending field trips will learn about generative agriculture and farm-to-market concepts, deepening their connection with the environment and gaining a clearer understanding of where their food comes from. Visitors of all ages can enjoy rotating educational content built as part of the Farm Market experience or participate in scheduled programming. The market will continue to offer fresh meat and produce and is scheduled to open in mid to late November.

With the growing popularity of our agriculture-focused field trips, we’ve outgrown the capacity of our Kennel House facility, which is currently our only dedicated agriculture education space. This renovation comes at the perfect time. Surveys show that 40% of 4th and 5th graders don’t know hamburgers come from cows, and 16 million Americans mistakenly believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. The new education center will help bridge this knowledge gap through hands-on learning experiences focused on sustainable farming practices, the journey of food from farm to market to table, the lifecycles of animals, and much more!

“This new facility will provide community learners with a concrete connection between our pastures and the products we grow. Our aim is to offer hands-on experiences that close the knowledge gap on agricultural topics while bringing state standards in subjects like Social Studies and Science to life. We also see this as a chance to teach how we farm for biodiversity using Holistic Management practices, ensuring that actions taken to restore land and livelihoods are ecologically, socially, and economically sound.” – Scott Wingate, Chief Program Officer, Greenacres Foundation

In addition to its educational mission, the new space will enhance the visitor experience at our Farm Market through rotating quarterly exhibits that showcase the variety of programs Greenacres offers—from research and agricultural operations to environmental preservation and our commitment to keeping Cincinnati a thriving hub for the arts.

The renovated space will also serve as a versatile venue for mid-sized, mission-related events. Demand is growing for livestock workshops, farm-to-table dinners focused on nutrition, and opportunities to learn from our gardening staff. The building provides the perfect setting for these activities, offering direct access to our pastures, gardens, and woodlands.

Our commitment to sustainability has made this renovation particularly exciting. We’ve taken great care to blend the building’s historical integrity with modern sustainability features. It is now equipped with geothermal heating and cooling, exceeds modern insulation standards, and incorporates strategies to maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain. We also prioritized recycling materials wherever possible. One highlight is the reuse of the original wood in the classroom space, preserving the beautiful old-growth wood paneling. The renovation also includes a rainwater capture system feeding into an underground cistern and a new wetland design to help purify runoff.

We greatly appreciate your continued support and look forward to many more years of community engagement and education at our new facility!

16 Sep 2024
Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Around Greenacres – Summer 2024

Around Greenacres - Summer 2024

A Toast to Summer

In June, Greenacres hosted a special Farm-to-Table event in collaboration with Oakley Wines. The evening began with a unique cocktail experience, where guests used Greenacres-grown garnishes to craft their own drinks, while learning about our gardening practices from the Greenacres Garden Team.

The highlight was a 4-course dinner featuring fresh meats and produce from Greenacres, paired with select wines from Oakley Wines. Chef David Saffles, known for his creative culinary skills, crafted a menu that highlighted local flavors. Katie Reeder, Wine Director at Oakley Wines, and Stephanie Webster, Founder of The Rhined & Oakley Wines, provided their expertise and shared their passion for fine food and wine.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event a success. Your presence and support made for a memorable evening of fine dining and community.

Preparing for the Nippert Barn Opening

The Buildings and Grounds Team has been busy all summer preparing for the exciting opening of the Nippert Barn. Their efforts are focusing on creating custom features that will enhance this incredible new space at Greenacres.

The team is building custom checkout counters and tables for the new Farm Store, as well as designing engaging displays for the Experience Center and classroom space. These displays will include a native grass root showcase and a bee hive exhibit, offering unique educational opportunities for visitors.

Outside, they’re collaborating with the Garden Department to design new fences and gates along the driveway, and they are working on a custom fence for the Nippert Garden. Additionally, they’re creating a new entrance sign that will warmly welcome guests to the barn.

The Buildings and Grounds Team’s dedication to these projects is helping bring the vision for the Nippert Barn to life, and we can’t wait to share this exciting new space with you soon!

Raising Turkeys the Right Way

As we gear up for Thanksgiving and Turkey Week at Greenacres, the Livestock Team has been working hard all summer raising our flock of Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys. These birds arrive as day-old chicks and are carefully nurtured over a 16-week period until they’re ready for your holiday table.

For the first five weeks, the turkeys stay indoors where we use heat lamps to regulate their temperature—keeping them safe and cozy while they grow. After that, they move outdoors to enjoy fresh pasture every day in a carefully managed rotation. Each year, we raise the turkeys on different fields to avoid potential health issues, ensuring they grow in the best possible conditions. Curious about our process? Learn more about how we raise our turkeys here.

Now, we’re excited to announce that you can reserve your 2024 Thanksgiving turkey or ham! To secure your spot, order now before they’re gone.

Horses Unleash Their Inner Picassos

The Equine Department was full of energy this summer, hosting a variety of engaging camps and programs. From our popular rider-themed camps, like Horsin’ Around, to collaboration camps with other Greenacres education departments, the stables were constantly abuzz with activity. In addition, we held several Exploring With Grace programs, where around 140 children had the chance to learn about and interact with our amazing horses. These programs ranged from single-day events to 3-part series, catering to children aged 5-18.

A standout highlight of the summer was our horse painting activity! Children teamed up with a horse to create vibrant abstract masterpieces. Using grain placed on plastic-wrapped canvases, the horses swirled paint across the surface with their muzzles as they nibbled, creating one-of-a-kind designs. It was a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved—including the horses, who showed their excitement by nickering and whinnying as soon as they saw the canvases!

In addition to these exciting activities, the Equine Department welcomed three new staff members, who will be helping launch brand-new equine education field trips. We look forward to seeing how these new programs will continue to enhance our educational offerings in the future!

Companion Planting

If you haven’t joined one of our farm tours or Ley Field Garden Picnics yet, you might be surprised to learn that we grow flowers in our vegetable gardens. While the bright blooms certainly add beauty to the rows of crops, their true value goes much deeper.

Flowers play a crucial role in companion planting by attracting beneficial pollinators and deterring pests. A stroll through our garden will reveal calendula, zinnias, sunflowers, alyssum, safflower, and chamomile—all strategically planted to support our vegetables.

For instance, calendula attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which help keep pests in check. Marigolds, on the other hand, are known for repelling or trapping insects that can damage crops. Bees and other pollinators are also drawn to the flowers, helping to spread pollen across vegetable blooms, which boosts productivity.

By welcoming a variety of beneficial insects, flowers help keep our plants healthier, and in return, the vegetables they produce are more nutritious. Next time you’re tending to your own garden, consider adding flowers to your plot for a vibrant, more productive space!

Exciting Progress at Spooky Hollow Farm Wetland

The restoration work at Spooky Hollow Farm Wetland continues to thrive, marking another successful season of environmental stewardship. Originally a small farm pond with a failed berm, the wetland has been transformed into a vibrant hub for environmental education since its construction in 2019. 

This summer, the focus was on managing invasive species and planting native flora. After efforts to control invasive shrubs and brambles in the surrounding woodlands in the winter of 2023 and spring of 2024, the team planted over 20 native shrubs and understory trees. Buttonbush shrubs, for example, now provide essential shade and cover for wildlife, while redbud trees will soon enrich the woodland’s understory.

The wetland banks were also enhanced with native forbs and grasses, contributing to the site’s ecological health. These ongoing efforts will not only support local wildlife but will also create even more engaging educational opportunities at Spooky Hollow Farm for years to come.

Cultivating Future Educators

This summer, we successfully launched the pilot year of our Educational Internship Program, an exciting initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of educators. Five Environment Education Interns joined us across our Indian Hill and Milford sites, working alongside full-time educators. Over the course of the summer, they observed and learned from our staff, preparing to lead their own student groups this fall.

At Greenacres, we have always believed in using nature as our classroom—whether it’s a stream, forest, pond, or field—and the Internship Program was another step toward growing educators who can continue this mission. The interns participated in specialized trainings every Tuesday, led by Greenacres staff, where they gained valuable insights into teaching strategies, natural history, and other departments at Greenacres. They also took part in field trips to local organizations, expanding their professional knowledge and network.

As part of our future plans, we are excited to expand the program in 2025 to include internships in our Arts and Agriculture Education Departments. Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in March of next year.

We were thrilled to have these passionate individuals join the Greenacres team and look forward to seeing how they apply their skills in the future!

Sustainable Farm Management Workshop Highlights

This August, we hosted a workshop with Holistic Management International (HMI) focused on sustainable farm management practices. It was a pleasure partnering with HMI to host this workshop. Workshops like this play a vital role in empowering farmers and land managers to create thriving, resilient ecosystems that balance the needs of people, land, and fiscal health. To learn more about the workshop and HMI, visit: Finding Balance in Farm Management

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