20 Jan 2026

Featured, Learn, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Growing the Future: Greenacres Apprentices Achieve State Certification

Growing the Future: Greenacres Apprentices Achieve State Certification

At Greenacres Foundation, education is rooted in the land, shaped by experience, and strengthened through community. This year marks a meaningful milestone in that work: our first cohort of apprentices has officially received State of Ohio apprenticeship certification, affirming both the depth of their training and the strength of Greenacres’ generative farming apprenticeship programs.

A Milestone for the Apprenticeship Program

Issued by the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, these Certificates of Completion recognize members of this cohort as journeypersons in their respective fields. Garden apprentices earned certification as Organic Vegetable Farm Managers, while a livestock apprentice earned certification as Farm Worker, General I.

For Greenacres, this certification strengthens the foundation of our apprenticeship program. It formally recognizes that the learning happening in our fields, barns, and classrooms meets rigorous state standards, while remaining deeply rooted in generative practices, mentorship, and place-based education.

For the apprentices, it validates two years of hard work and the confidence gained through real responsibility. As one garden apprentice reflected:

“Over the course of the two-year apprenticeship, I was immersed in low-till, market garden–style production in a more comprehensive and accessible way than I ever could have learned on the job or out of a book. What was even more valuable was the confidence I built in handling crops I had never grown before, all on my own.”

Hunter, Greenacres Garden Apprentice (Cohort 2024–2025)

Learning by Doing

Greenacres’ two-year Garden and Livestock apprenticeships are designed to be immersive, challenging, and supportive. Apprentices work full-time alongside experienced staff while also participating in classroom learning, field trips, and public education events.

Across both programs, apprentices are encouraged to build not only technical skills, but also strong communication, accountability, and decision-making abilities. One livestock apprentice shared:

“With my team by my side, I gained skills I didn’t even know I needed. I learned tactical skills like confidence with heavy equipment, animal handling, and grazing knowledge, but just as importantly, I developed soft skills like organization, communication, and personal accountability.”

Bethany, Greenacres Livestock Apprentice (Cohort 2024–2025)

That combination of hands-on learning and teamwork is intentional. Apprentices are invited into the full rhythm of the farm and trusted with meaningful responsibility early on.

Resilience, Adaptability, and Joy in the Work

This cohort of garden apprentices was the first to experience Greenacres’ formal classroom curriculum, and they helped shape the culture of the program in lasting ways. Their second year was marked by collaboration, humor, and resilience, even during one of the most challenging growing seasons our farm has seen.

Excess water, crop loss, and persistent weeds turned the field into a real-time lesson in adaptability. Rather than becoming discouraged, the apprentices embraced the experience as preparation for the realities of farming beyond Greenacres.

As one apprentice put it:

“It’s an incredibly formative experience to be encouraged to follow your ‘farmer gut,’ to make decisions in your own growing space, and learn from the outcomes. That trust builds real confidence.”

Julia, Greenacres Garden Apprentice (Cohort 2024–2025)

Growing with Intention and Impact

Second-year apprentices are given the opportunity to manage their own growing spaces, applying what they’ve learned while exploring individual interests within the broader mission of Greenacres.

One apprentice dedicated an entire growing season to donation, harvesting weekly with gleaners, volunteers who collect surplus produce for community food partners, and donated more than 1,200 pounds of produce in just five months. That experience required thoughtful planning, considering not only what to grow, but where it would go and who it would serve, reinforcing the idea that farming is about relationships as much as production.

Another apprentice grew a wide range of vegetables and flowers, including new flower varieties integrated into Greenacres’ bouquet production and custom greens mixes sold in the Farm Market. Their creativity and love of collaboration brought fresh life to market offerings and strengthened the team.

Reflecting on the experience, a garden apprentice shared:

“The production systems were an incredible place to start my journey as a grower, but what made the biggest difference was feeling empowered to explore what interested me and seeing real-world practices in action.”

Hunter, Greenacres Garden Apprentice (Cohort 2024–2025)

Preparing for What Comes Next

As the apprenticeship comes to a close, Greenacres staff work closely with apprentices to prepare them for what’s next, refining resumes, practicing interviews, and identifying future opportunities in agriculture.

Graduates of this cohort are moving into roles in greenhouse management and field leadership on organic vegetable farms, carrying forward both technical skills and the confidence to step into leadership.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without this program. The passion the Greenacres team brings to its work is contagious and makes it easy to fall in love with growing food.”

Hunter, Greenacres Garden Apprentice (Cohort 2024–2025)

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

As an organization, we are incredibly proud of this first state-certified cohort. Their success affirms the care, collaboration, and intention behind the Greenacres Apprenticeship Program and strengthens its future for generations of learners to come.

This milestone expands professional opportunities for apprentices, reinforces Greenacres’ role as a leader in generative agricultural education, and honors the belief that meaningful learning happens through trust, mentorship, and shared work on the land.

We look forward to welcoming future cohorts into a program that continues to grow, rooted in community, guided by experience, and now recognized at the state level for the excellence it cultivates.

Interested in Joining a Future Cohort?

Each year, Greenacres welcomes new apprentices into our Garden and Livestock programs. Garden Apprentice applications open each December, with the two-year, full-time paid apprenticeship beginning the following spring.

Livestock Apprentice applications will open on a future date to be determined, as we continue redeveloping and strengthening the livestock curriculum to best serve future apprentices and the evolving needs of our farms.

To learn more about the programs, expectations, and application process, visit:

Greenacres Garden Apprenticeship Program

Greenacres Livestock Apprenticeship Program

If you feel called to work with the land, grow food for your community, and be part of a learning-driven, mission-centered farm, we invite you to explore whether Greenacres is the right place to begin.

02 Jan 2026

Featured, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

2025 Nippert Foundation Grant Recipients

2025 Nippert Foundation Grant Recipients

In 2025, the Nippert charitable foundations donated over $5.3 million to a wide range of grant recipients. These recipients included non-profits supporting the Greater Cincinnati region, organizations working in the musical arts, and research institutions focused on agricultural and ecological research.

The L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation awarded a total of $4,290,479 to non-profits addressing a broad range of community needs, including youth services, education, health care, food security, environmental stewardship, and family support.

The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund provided $270,000 in grant funding to organizations that enrich the region through music, performance, and arts education.

Greenacres Foundation distributed $741,047 to support agricultural and ecological research initiatives advancing conservation, sustainability, and scientific understanding.

For more information about the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation and the Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, visit https://lnlcharitable.org

For details on Greenacres Foundation research grants, visit https://green-acres.org/research/research-grants/

2025 L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation Grant Recipients

- - - 4C For Children
    - Adventure Crew
    - American National Red Cross
    - Beech Acres Parenting Center
    - Beechwood Home
    - Bethany House Services, Inc.
    - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County, LLC
    - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Inc.
    - BLOC Ministries, Inc.
    - Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation
    - Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati
    - Breakthrough Cincinnati Inc.
    - Brighton Center, Inc.
    - Brown County Educational Service Center
    - Canine Companions for Independence
    - Center for Respite Care, Inc.
    - ChangingGears, Inc.
    - Childhood Food Solutions
    - Children’s Home of Cincinnati Ohio, Inc.
    - Children’s Hospital Medical Center
    - Children’s Hunger Alliance
    - Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
    - Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation
    - Cincinnati Parks Foundation
    - Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship
    - Cincinnati Works, Inc.
    - Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
    - CISE
    - City Gospel Mission
    - Crayons to Computers
    - DCCH Center for Children and Families
    - DePaul Cristo Rey High School
    - Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
    - Dragonfly Foundation
    - East End Adult Education Center

- - - Episcopal Retirement Services Foundation
    - Fernside Inc., A Center for Grieving Children
    - First Step Home, Inc.
    - Freestore Foodbank
    - Greater Cincinnati Television Educational Foundation
    - Hospice of Cincinnati, Inc.
    - Inner City Youth Opportunities
    - Joy Outdoor Education Center
    - Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
    - La Soupe, Inc.
    - Last Mile Food Rescue
    - Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc.
    - Matthew 25: Ministries
    - New Day Ranch, Inc.
    - New Life Furniture, Inc.
    - Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc.
    - Operation Warm Inc.
    - Our Daily Bread
    - Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region
    - Pregnancy Center West, Inc.
    - Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio
    - ProKids
    - Salvation Army
    - Samaritan Car Care Clinic, Inc.
    - Shelterhouse Volunteer Group
    - St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy of Cincinnati
    - St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Cincinnati
    - Stepping Stones Inc.
    - Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank
    - Talbert House
    - Teach For America, Inc.
    - University of the Cumberlands
    - Valley View Foundation
    - Women Helping Women
    - Young Men’s Christian Association of Greater Cincinnati

2025 Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund Grant Recipients

- - - Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Inc.
    - Cincinnati Museum Association
    - Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
    - Cincinnati Public Radio
    - Taft Museum of Art

2025 Agricultural & Ecological Research Grant Recipients

- - - Mill Creek Alliance
    - Nature Conservancy
    - Ohio River Foundation
    - Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    - University of Cincinnati Foundation, on behalf of UC Blue Ash College
    - Zoological Society of Cincinnati

18 Dec 2025

Featured, Learn, News, Research Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Around Greenacres – Fall 2025

Around Greenacres - Fall 2025

Putting the Garden to Bed

As the growing season comes to a close, the garden team turns its attention to one of the most important tasks of the year: caring for the soil through winter. Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion, nutrient loss, and long-term degradation, so at Greenacres we work to ensure our garden beds are protected during the colder months using what we refer to as “soil armor.”

Soil armor helps safeguard soil health while setting the stage for a productive growing season ahead. In the garden, we rely primarily on two forms of protection: straw mulch and cover crops.

Straw mulch is spread over garden beds to shield the soil from harsh winter conditions. It helps reduce erosion, moderate soil temperature, and protect soil structure. In the spring, the straw is raked off and reused throughout the farm until it naturally breaks down. Once it’s no longer effective as mulch, it becomes part of our compost system—continuing its role in building healthy soil. Straw is especially useful for beds that remain in production later into the fall.

Our preferred soil armor, however, is cover crops. These plantings—typically a mix of grains and legumes—are grown not for harvest, but to support the soil itself. With living roots in the ground, cover crops stabilize soil, feed beneficial microorganisms, reduce compaction, and, in the case of legumes, contribute nitrogen back into the system. Rather than placing protection on top of the soil, we grow it in place.

This fall, the garden team successfully established cover crops across most of our beds. These efforts reflect Greenacres’ long-term commitment to soil stewardship, ensuring the garden is protected through winter and prepared to thrive in the seasons ahead.

This record-breaking summer brought extended heat and dry conditions, making thoughtful soil protection and moisture retention more important than ever as we prepared the garden for winter.

Artist Weekend at Greenacres

This year’s Greenacres Artist Weekend offered a powerful reminder that learning takes many forms—and often begins by slowing down, observing closely, and creating space for reflection. Held over three days at the Greenacres Arts Center, the annual Artist Weekend brought together local artists to create, collaborate, and explore new ideas within a setting shaped by historic architecture, forests, and farmland.

The purpose of Artist Weekend closely aligned with Greenacres’ educational mission: to build community, encourage curiosity, and foster meaningful connections between people and place. By stepping away from daily routines, artists were invited to reconnect with their creative practices, learn from one another, and draw inspiration from their surroundings.

In 2025, the weekend welcomed 23 local artists, ranging from students to established professionals. Participants consistently noted the thoughtful balance of learning, networking, relaxation, and creative exploration—both indoors and outdoors.

Educational components of the weekend included peer-led Sharing Sessions, during which artists shared techniques, creative approaches, and personal processes. Workshops explored themes such as unblocking creativity through abstraction, overcoming the inner critic, and using nature as a direct source of inspiration. Artists learned how to find texture for ceramics in the landscape, forage fallen natural materials for artmaking, and observe their environment with fresh perspective.

Artists also had the opportunity to join optional tours of the Greenhouse and Stables, which helped them better understand Greenacres as a whole and deepened their connection to the land and its many educational programs.

The heart of the weekend was dedicated to Creative Exploration Sessions, which provided uninterrupted time for artists to create, reflect, or simply observe. Throughout the Arts Center grounds, artists were found painting en plein air in the gardens, walking Oakline Drive, working quietly indoors, or gathering for conversation over coffee. This open structure allowed learning to unfold organically through experience and place.

The weekend concluded with a roundtable reflection led by the Greenacres Arts and Education teams, offering space for collective feedback and shared insight. Artists reflected on how the experience shaped their thinking and practice, sharing sentiments such as:

- - “I feel encouraged to think critically about how to change my practice.”
  - “The Artist Weekend is a lightning-in-a-bottle moment.”
  - “This weekend reminded me that creating art is a valid use of my time.”

Looking ahead, work created during the weekend will be featured in an Artist Weekend Exhibition opening in February 2026, on view at the Arts Center through next December. Applications for the 2026 Artist Weekend will open in late spring, welcoming a new group of artists to learn, reflect, and create at Greenacres.

Ponds, Pastures, and Plantings

In October, Greenacres’ Agroecology team led a large-scale restoration planting in the Pond Site Pasture, installing more than 1,500 native grasses and forbs. This project was designed to improve water quality, reduce erosion, enhance habitat, and strengthen the ecological function of the landscape.

Pasture systems can contribute excess nutrients that move downslope into nearby ponds, increasing the risk of algae blooms and aquatic weed growth. This planting site sits just uphill from Delaware Pond—an important ecological and educational resource at Greenacres. By establishing native vegetation in this area, nutrients are captured before they reach the water, helping to protect and maintain healthy aquatic systems.

Native grasses and forbs also play a vital role in erosion control. During heavy rain events, runoff can destabilize soil, create channels, and carry sediment into downstream waterways. The deep, resilient root systems of native plants help hold soil in place, acting as living infrastructure that reinforces the landscape—much like tree roots along a streambank, but on a pasture scale.

This ambitious project was made possible through collaboration across departments. Staff from Agroecology, Research, Livestock, and Garden came together for a morning of digging, drilling, and planting. What was expected to take all day was completed in just a few hours, reflecting the strength of teamwork and shared stewardship at Greenacres.

As these plantings establish, the site will continue to serve as a working research landscape and a visible example of how thoughtful land management supports soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and education.

Fall Farm to Table Dinner at Nippert Barn

On Thursday, October 23, Greenacres welcomed 50 guests to Nippert Barn for our Fall Farm to Table Dinner, an evening that celebrated seasonal flavors, thoughtful stewardship, and community gathered around the table.

Guests enjoyed a five-course, prix-fixe meal crafted by renowned Cincinnati chef Renee Schuler of eat well, celebrations and feasts, featuring pasture-raised meats and farm-fresh produce harvested at the height of the season. Each course was paired with wines curated by Skurnik Wines & Spirits, creating a seamless harmony of food and drink throughout the evening.

The event unfolded with a cocktail hour and passed appetizers, followed by dinner in the beautifully renovated Nippert Barn. Members of the Greenacres Livestock team were on hand throughout the night, sharing stories about land stewardship, animal care, and the farming practices that make these meals possible, while also helping serve guests.

Feedback from attendees reflected the warmth and care that went into the evening:

- - “The event was absolutely incredible. The food, atmosphere, and the stunning new barn all made for a truly special and memorable evening.”
  - “Amazing staff. Amazing food. Amazing wine!”
  - “My wife and I had a delightful evening. The wine and the food were outstanding, and everyone who served us was so kind.”

The Fall Farm to Table Dinner highlighted the heart of Greenacres’ events program—bringing people together through meaningful experiences rooted in place, seasonality, and shared appreciation for the land. We are grateful to our partners, staff, and guests who made the evening such a success, and we invite the community to keep an eye on our Events page for additional Farm to Table dinner opportunities coming in 2026.

Exploring Heritage Poultry Breeds

At Greenacres, our livestock work is guided by curiosity and careful observation. While most chicken consumed in the United States comes from a single breed—the Cornish Cross—we wanted to better understand how heritage poultry breeds perform in a pasture-based system and whether they offer meaningful differences in flavor.

In 2025, our Livestock team conducted an on-farm comparison study. Cornish Cross chickens were raised alongside heritage breeds—Rhode Island Red, Buckeye, White Rock, and American Bresse—under the same pasture, feed, and management conditions. The most immediate difference was growth rate. Cornish Cross birds reached harvest size in about seven weeks, averaging a four-pound dressed weight, while heritage breeds required 16 to 20 weeks to reach maturity.

This extended growing period has important implications for farmers. More time on pasture means higher feed use and increased labor, which can only be justified if the end product offers a noticeably different eating experience—and can be sold at a higher price to help recoup production costs.

To explore this question, Greenacres conducted a blind taste test with 24 staff members. Thighs and breasts from each breed were prepared using identical methods and evaluated for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall enjoyment. Participants did not know which breed they were tasting.

The results showed no meaningful difference in overall flavor or enjoyment between the heritage breeds and the Cornish Cross. While heritage chickens carry historical significance and play an important role in agricultural diversity, the Cornish Cross continues to provide the best balance of efficiency, quality, and practicality for pasture-based, generative poultry production at Greenacres.

This study reflects Greenacres’ commitment to testing assumptions, sharing what we learn, and making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions about how we steward animals and land.

25 Sep 2025

Featured, Learn, News Cassidy Harvey 0 comment

Locally Developed Education Program Gains National Recognition

Greenacres_EcoVillage_Banner_2880x720 (1)

Locally Developed Education Program Gains National Recognition

EcoVillage Wins 2025 Educators Pick Best of STEM® Award for Environmental Science

Indian Hill, OH (September 3, 2025) — Greenacres Foundation is proud to announce that EcoVillage, a collaborative environment education program developed in partnership with JASON Learning and the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, has been named the Best of STEM for Environmental Science in the 2025 Educators Pick Best of STEM® Awards.

The Educators Pick Best of STEM® Awards are the only national STEM honors program created by educators, for educators, and judged by a distinguished panel of STEM professionals. Each year, thousands of STEM teachers across the country evaluate and select innovative resources that are transforming teaching and learning in today’s classrooms.

EcoVillage stood out for its unique, hands-on approach to environment education. Designed for grades 3–5, the program challenges students to design and build a sustainable community from the ground up—making decisions about natural resources, businesses, and civic life. By combining environment education, entrepreneurship, and civics, EcoVillage encourages systems thinking, creativity, and responsible stewardship.

What began as a community favorite, in-person field trip at Greenacres has now expanded into a free, nationally accessible digital curriculum through JASON Learning’s online platform. Since launching in June 2025, EcoVillage has been available for educators nationwide to integrate into their classrooms at no cost.

Are you an educator?

- - Nationwide: Access EcoVillage for free on JASON Learning’s platform.
  - Local to Greenacres: Schedule a free, in-person EcoVillage field trip for your students by contacting education@green-acres.org.

The collaboration highlights Greenacres Foundation’s mission to connect people with the land through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. By integrating authentic classroom learning with sustainability and environment education, EcoVillage reflects Greenacres’ commitment to preparing the next generation of problem-solvers and community leaders.

About Greenacres Foundation

Greenacres Foundation is a nonprofit committed to education, research, and conservation. Managing over 1,200 acres in Indian Hill and beyond, Greenacres provides immersive experiences in nature, sustainable agriculture, and the arts—serving over 30,000 students annually.

About JASON Learning

JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for Pre-K–12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.”

About Indian Hill Schools

Ranked consistently as one of the top-performing schools in Ohio and nationally – the vision of the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District (IHEVSD) is our #IHPromise which prioritizes our students by empowering their voice in a personalized, collaborative, and inclusive learning environment. More than 2,200 young scholars enjoy the exceptional educational services IHEVSD offers ensuring each student’s intellectual development, personal growth, and social responsibility. IHEVSD serves students in the Village of Indian Hill; Kenwood; parts of Symmes Township; Camp Dennison; and a few houses in Loveland.

For more information, please visit www.indianhillschools.org, and join the social media conversation – Facebook: Indian Hill Exempted Village School District; X/Twitter: @IHSchools; Instagram: indianhillschools; LinkedIn INDIAN HILL EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Learn More

➡️ Learn more about the Partnership
➡️ Learn more about the EcoVillage program

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