Category: News

12 Dec 2023
Yellow, orange, and red Fall maple foliage

Around Greenacres – Fall 2023

Yellow, orange, and red Fall maple foliage

Around Greenacres - Fall 2023

Artists Weekend at Arts Center

In November, we welcomed 25 local artists for our inaugural Artist Weekend. The new three-day event was jam-packed with arts engagement, presentations by select attendees, relaxing hikes, and precious time to create art on the breathtaking Arts Center grounds.

Artist Leslie Durham working in plein air for the first time during the Artist Weekend.

The Arts Team built the structure for the weekend, and the artists brought the concept to life. We have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. One attendee mentioned, “I have had writer’s block for six months until this weekend. I now have a new story–beginning, middle, and end.” Another artist commented, “Thank you so much for this beautiful weekend. It meant so much to me and I will hold the memories and experience so dearly. I still feel so honored to be allowed into that space.” The Greenacres team is excited about this new chapter of creativity, community-building, and growth and looks forward to hosting more events like this soon.

“I have had writer’s block for six months until this weekend. I now have a new story–beginning, middle, and end.”

“Thank you so much for this beautiful weekend. It meant so much to me and I will hold the memories and experience so dearly. I still feel so honored to be allowed into that space.”

Greenacres Artist Weekend Attendees

Growing our Apprentice Program

To help young farmers learn about regenerative farming systems and experience the practices first-hand, Greenacres has been offering two-year apprenticeships in both Gardens and Livestock. This year, as our program continues to grow, we’re improving our curriculum. With teaching methods intended to foster passion, curiosity, and exploration, we are helping develop well-rounded, confident farmers. Through intentional classroom time, informative field trips, and leadership opportunities, we aim to prepare young farmers to jump-start their careers in the regenerative farming world!

Click here to learn more about our garden apprenticeship, and click here to learn more about our livestock apprenticeship. We are currently accepting applications for both programs; if you know anyone interested, please encourage them to apply here!

Sheep at Michaela Farm

Our growing sheep flock at Michaela Farm plays an important role in improving our soil health while bringing valuable lessons to our apprentices. Recently, our livestock team acquired 35 Katahdin ewes and a Dorper ram for our Indiana farm. These chunky breeds are ideal for high-quality lamb which we’re looking forward to providing in our Indian Hill Farmstore. 

Pastured Katahdin sheep at Michaela Farm in Oldenburg, IN

We have three properties at which livestock is raised: Indian Hill, Lewis Township, and Michaela Farm. Each of these properties has slightly different pastures and comes with its own set of challenges. Whether we’re dealing with increased predation or difficult terrain, allowing our apprentices to experience production at each site gives them a better understanding of the issues they may face on other farms.

Native Perennials at the Arts Center

We are transitioning the Arts Center gardens from annuals to perennials to help our move towards more sustainable systems. This shift aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility and carries a host of benefits. Because this venue is also one of Ohio’s most sought-after wedding venues in addition to the educational programming it supports, we are working on blending aesthetics while remaining environmentally conscious.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Perennial plants have a longer life cycle than annuals, reducing the need for frequent replanting. This shift aligns with Greenacres’ commitment to sustainable practices by minimizing the environmental impact of traditional annual plantings. Perennials require less water, fertilizer, and overall maintenance, contributing to an eco-friendlier and resource-efficient landscape.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Support: Perennials play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems by providing habitats for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The extended lifespan of perennial plants allows for establishing more stable and diverse ecosystems within the Greenacres grounds. This enhances the landscape’s beauty and promotes a healthier and more balanced local environment.

Potted perennial plants reading to for planting, sitting behind the Arts Center

Cost-Efficiency and Long-Term Investment: While the initial investment in perennial plants might be higher than annuals, the long-term cost savings are substantial. Perennials require less frequent replacement, reducing the overall maintenance costs associated with landscaping. This shift is a testament to Greenacres’ commitment to responsible stewardship, emphasizing the long-term benefits of investing in perennial flora.

Aesthetic Appeal and Seasonal Variety: Contrary to the misconception that perennial landscapes lack variety, these plants offer a diverse range of shapes, colors, and bloom times. Greenacres can maintain its aesthetic appeal while enjoying the added benefit of year-round visual interest. The Arts Center’s picturesque surroundings will evolve with the changing seasons, providing visitors and event attendees with a dynamic and engaging experience.

Greenacres’ decision to switch from annual plantings to perennial plants represents a commendable step towards sustainable land management. The numerous benefits, ranging from environmental conservation to long-term cost savings, make this shift not only responsible but also forward-thinking. As the Arts Center continues to be a beacon of education and a coveted wedding venue, the perennial landscape serves as a testament to Greenacres’ dedication to creating a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural world.

100 Years in the Making: The Greenacres Arts Center

This past October, we celebrated 100 years of history at the Greenacres Arts Center. We hosted visitors in an open house-style event which included a self-guided tour of the facility, along with light appetizers and cocktails. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the craftsmanship, design principles, and innovative techniques that forged the iconic Cincinnati mansion. Informational placards were placed throughout the property to give guests an insight into the original construction methods as well as highlight the attention to detail involved in the remodeling. From the original Fleischmann Estate to Louis and Louise Nippert’s purchase and the creation of the Greenacres Arts Center we know and love today, the building’s history has turned it into a magnificent piece of our city’s heritage.

Arts Center courtyard with poster

Metabolomics Study: Preliminary Data with Dr. van Vliet

In 2022, Greenacres introduced a unique research collaboration with Dr. Stephan van Vliet and Utah State University (USU). You can learn more about this project here. The research aims to study the connection between agricultural practices and human health using the science of metabolomics, which is the study of metabolites (small molecules such as organic acids, secondary compounds, vitamins, etc).

We are currently wrapping up the second (and final) year of the clinical trial, where study participants are undergoing dietary changes for 14 weeks. For 7 weeks the participants ate a diet of foods produced in an agroecological manner (e.g., pasture-based meats, eggs, and dairy, generative no-till vegetables) with the vast majority of those foods being raised at Greenacres. After a 2-week “washout period” (i.e. going back to their traditional “Western” diet), the participants wrap up the remaining 7 weeks by switching to a comparable whole foods diet as before, only this time the ingredients are grown using conventional practices (e.g., commodity feedlot raised meats, conventional eggs, dairy, vegetables and greens).

In October 2023, Dr. van Vliet visited Greenacres to report preliminary data from year one of the study. To reiterate, these were all preliminary data. The USU research team still has a lot of data to analyze prior to making any conclusions, however, the initial results showed some promising insights. Perhaps most importantly, irrespective of production practices, switching to a whole foods diet consisting of fresh meats, vegetables, grains, and dairy products has a beneficial effect on human health markers, including a 40% reduction in triglyceride levels. This is important because both diets were high in meat intake, often above the level that the participants reported as part of their normal diet. Also, the intent was for the participants to maintain their pre-study weight; however, participants on average lost weight. In addition to the improved health markers, there was also evidence to suggest that many of the agro-ecologically raised products displayed higher levels of metabolites, specifically several secondary compounds that are produced by plants and then found in pasture-raised meat products.

Dr. Stephen van Vliet presenting preliminary metabolomics data with slideshow

“It appears that just switching to a whole foods diet and minimizing intake of ultra-processed foods can get you 80% of the way to improving your health. The question is, can the increased presence of metabolites found in the agro-ecologically raised products have any impact on the additional 20%?”

Dr. Stephen Van Vliet

Based on our initial results, Dr. van Vliet stated, “It appears that just switching to a whole foods diet and minimizing intake of ultra-processed foods can get you 80% of the way to improving your health. The question is, can the increased presence of metabolites found in the agro-ecologically raised products have any impact on the additional 20%?”. Our research team hopes that once all of our samples (soil, plant, animal, and human) have been analyzed we are closer to helping answer this question.  

02 Oct 2023
Summer flowers in tall grass

Around Greenacres – Summer 2023

Summer flowers in tall grass

Around Greenacres - Summer 2023

Summer Turkey Production

June marked a first at Greenacres with turkeys being added to our pastures before July. They have enriched our summer programming, allowing our educators to integrate them into their curriculum. The experience of witnessing a working farm and learning about the turkeys’ impact on soil health has been great for visitors. Early turkeys also allow us to expand our Thanksgiving offerings to include turkey breasts since we can work with our processors earlier, allowing them time to process this batch before the holiday rush.

Broad-breasted bronze turkeys on pasture, surrounded by tall trees and with field trip class in the background

“It’s been great having this batch of turkeys out on pasture earlier than usual. Thanks to the nutritious forage they’re getting in the field, they’ve been growing fast.

-Chris Glassmeyer, Livestock Coordinator

Garden Apprentice Plots

Every spring, our garden team welcomes two apprentices for a two-year immersive program. During the first year, apprentices focus on learning our garden production methods. Once they have developed these skills, they are encouraged to develop their own projects, be it cut flowers, vegetables, or high-yield crops, and are given a dedicated plot to experiment on. While we support and continue their education, we allow room for self-driven learning through trial-and-error.

This year, second-year apprentices Sam Placke and Abby McGuire have been applying their learned skills. Sam has delved into vegetable production, exploring unique edible plants, while Abby is expanding her horizons in cut flower production. Their dedication is blossoming into success, evident from Abby’s floral creations and Sam’s vegetables enriching our Farmstore’s offerings.

garden apprentice tending to their garden plots

Equine Lessons, Pony Club, & First Responders

The equine department had an eventful summer, hosting diverse camps, Pony Club events, and Exploring With Grace programs. Both seasoned and new riders benefited from weekday camps, honing skills on and off the saddle. At the Pony Club Rally, one of our riders, alongside school horse Cary, clinched a top ten spot in a field of over 20 riders! We also facilitated four Exploring With Grace sessions, where students learned horse grooming, leading, and enjoyed a bareback obstacle course ride. Beyond these, Greenacres Equine Center held nine First Responder trainings for local emergency personnel, covering equine behavior and handling for equine emergencies. As we reminisce on the enriching summer of 2023, anticipation builds for the 2024 season! Our center, catering to riders aged 8-18, focuses on English riding with an emphasis on Eventing. Due to overwhelming demand, our waitlist is momentarily closed as we accommodate existing applicants.

School Horse Spotlight

As an appaloosa, Prim is one of our more unique colored school horses and one of the few mares (female horse) in the barn! She adores being loved on and is often the favorite of students and visitors because of her sweet personality. Prim is an exceptionally brave horse and enjoys schooling over the cross-country fences in our jump field. She and her Pony Club rider went to their first horse trial together this spring and had a blast!

Co-composted Biochar Research Project

Have you ever wondered why fertile soil tends to be darker in color? Soil fertility is largely attributed to soil organic matter, and higher levels of soil organic matter usually correspond to higher water and nutrient holding capacity as well as darker color. Many people think of soil organic matter as primarily coming from soil microbes decomposing biomass and root exudates, but historically a significant portion of soil organic matter in grassland ecosystems came directly from fire—pyrogenic carbon. Some of the most fertile soils in the Midwest experienced repetitive fire in the natural ecology of tallgrass prairie ecosystems, but 3-5% of the total biomass in a prairie fire would burn incompletely and leave a “char” residue on the soil surface. Nutrients released as a result of the fire generated highly palatable forage that was preferentially grazed by bison in a phenomenon known as “pyric herbivory.” In short, repeated applications of pyrogenic carbon and bison manure over hundreds to thousands of years created highly fertile soils that persist to this day, and we are trying to emulate this process in our integrated crop-livestock system known as the Ley Field. However, instead of using fire and herds of bison, we are using compost and a material called “biochar.”

Biochar is a very stable form of carbon that is a useful byproduct of heating biomass to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, and it is nearly identical in form and function to pyrogenic carbon. Adding biochar at the beginning of the composting process (co-composting) offers mutual benefits to both biochar and compost during composting, and co-composted biochar applications emulate the applications of pyrogenic carbon and bison manure in historic tallgrass prairies. Three types of compost are being assessed in a four-year rotation of vegetables and grazed cover crops: regular compost, compost with woody biochar, and compost with poultry litter biochar. The Research team is collecting data on crop production, crop quality, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions to compare the various types of compost on a systems level. Ultimately, we will learn if the tallgrass prairie paradigm for generating soil fertility can be adopted in an integrated crop-livestock system to simultaneously improve crop production and soil health.

garden plots with metal rings for biochar experiment
16 Jun 2023

Around Greenacres – Spring 2023

Around Greenacres - Spring 2023

New Chicken Tractors

As we continue to expand our meat bird operations, lots of time was spent researching infrastructure options that optimize production and efficiencies while still meeting our animal welfare standards. Our livestock manager, Leevi Stump worked with the Stoltzfoos brothers at The Mobile Chicken House to purchase our new chicken tractors for our pastured poultry production. He tells us, “The new tractors fit our production system well. They house approximately 50 more birds per tractor while maintaining the same space-ratio per chicken. This allows us to raise an addition 1,000 birds per year. The tractors have a greenhouse design which provides better heat and shade options, and with roll up curtains on the side, they allow for proper ventilation to ensure birds are happy and healthy.” The wheels of the new tractor facilitate movement across pastures and minimize wear and tear on our equipment. It’s been a great learning opportunity for students coming through Greenacres programs. And, it’s been a great experience for our livestock apprentices, David, Josi, and Gabe as they’ve done a wonderful job assembling the new tractors at our Indian Hill property.

New larger chicken tractor on left next to two smaller chicken tractors

“The new tractors fit our production system well. They house approximately 50 more birds per tractor while maintaining the same space-ratio per chicken. This allows us to raise an addition 1,000 birds per year. The tractors have a greenhouse design which provides better heat and shade options, and with roll up curtains on the side, they allow for proper ventilation to ensure birds are happy and healthy.

-Leevi Stump, Livestock Manager

Michaela Farm

Our Michaela Farm gardens are buzzing with life. The majority of our vegetable production at this property is in the garden we established last year near St Mary’s Road. Throughout the Spring, our garden crew has been harvesting lots of greens – lettuce, spinach, arugula, radishes, garlic scapes, and more. They’ve also been tending to summer crops and herbs, including sugar snap and shelling peas, garlic, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, beets, green beans, zucchini, and more of your Summer favorites! Recently more asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb were planted, along with flowers to help attract pollinators and beneficial insects. If you are in Oldenburg, Indiana, make sure to stop by the Michaela Farmstore and pick up some eggs, fresh produce, and dried herbs.

Asparagus growing in outdoor garden

Perennials!

It’s common knowledge that our native pollinator populations are in decline – habitat loss, the use of lawn and agricultural chemicals, invasive species, and the planting of non-native landscaping plants have all taken a toll. One way you can help pollinators in your yard is by planting native and beneficial perennials. Unlike annual flowers that need to be replaced every year, perennials can provide food and shelter to native pollinators and wildlife for many years, and usually need very little maintenance once established – some species are extremely drought tolerant, while others can thrive in areas of your yard that tend to retain water. 

pink and orange flowers growing in pots in greenhouse

During our annual Spring plant sale, we were excited to offer perennial plants the first time, including bee balm, butterfly weed, mountain mint, hyssop, foxglove beardtongue, coreopsis, and more which were all propagated in our greenhouse. Many of these species can be found in the landscaping in front of the Indian Hill Farmstore, where you can see how they grow and interact with wildlife over time. Some insects may use our plants as food sources, which can also impact their aesthetic appearance – but that’s fine with us!

Fall is the ideal season to plant perennials in our region, when small plants have plenty of time to focus on robust root establishment before the next summer drought. We plan to offer another perennial plant sale this fall, so be sure to keep that in mind when making your landscaping plans.

Educational Workshops

Our events team has been staying very active this Spring. Wedding season is in full swing and we have already hosted three with ten more scheduled throughout the year, but ceremonies and receptions aren’t the only events on our radar. “We are working on expanding our event offerings and have been hosting an increasing number of adult-education workshops.” says Kyle Conlon, Greenacres Director of  Events. “It has been a pleasure hosting these informational and interactive events and we are looking forward to providing more valuable experiences to our community members.”

In April, Dave Pratt, with Ranch Management Consultants, was invited to workshop with the local community and discuss how to maximize ranching profits while increasing efficiency and sustainability. Then, in early May, the Ohio State’s Butler County extension office partnered with Greenacres to present about spring calving in the Southwest Ohio region. Fifty guests were in attendance to learn about cow nutrition during pregnancy, facility preparations for calving, the impacts of management practices, dealing with calving issues, and what to look for during a pasture walk. 

We wrapped up our Spring events calendar with our participation at the International Grasslands Congress. Hundreds of scientists and industry experts from around the world converged at the conference in Covington, Kentucky. Attendees had the opportunity to tour Greenacres which involved touring our Indian Hill and Lewis Township locations, and presentations about the work we are doing throughout. Topics varied from pasture-raised chicken production, to Native Warm Season Grass establishment and prescribed burns. 

We are working on expanding our event offerings and have been hosting an increasing number of adult-education workshops. It has been a pleasure hosting these informational and interactive events and we are looking forward to providing more valuable experiences to our community members.

-Director of Events

Expanding our Education Reach

We are thrilled to be hosting more field trips and teacher professional development events as demand continues to return post Covid. In addition to the wide range of field trips we facilitated this Spring, our education team hosted two professional development days for Cincinnati Public Schools employees. The individuals who attended got to meet Greenacres staff, learn more about our field trips and see how we can help with various state standards. 

Brown County students at the Human Library at Greenacres Lewis Township.
Brown County students at the Greenacres Lewis Township Human Library

In Lewis Township, Brown County middle school students were invited to the “Human Library” at our education facility. The 8th grade students were able to meet and talk to professionals from various industries and backgrounds. These students got a much better understanding of what it can take to enter specific industries.

At Michaela Farm in Indiana, Oldenburg Academy culinary arts students have been getting a hands-on “farm to table” experience. The students learned about gardening seasonality and how to maximize flavor and nutritional value. The class even got to prep and plant their own garden bed. The vegetables grown in this plot will be harvested by the students and used in the class’s kitchen.

If you are an educator interested in field trips, please contact our Education Coordinator Katie Brown. Our Education Team creates exceptional field trip experiences for each and every visitor we serve. We collaborate with classroom educators to build customized, hands-on interactive experiences aligned with grade-level academic learning standards. You can use our field trip programming tool to browse popular topics by grade and by academic subject.

Equine First Responders Training

The equine department has been busy with a full Spring Session. Our advanced students have been enjoying the cross country course when the weather permits. We enroll riders between the ages of 8-18. Our lessons are English only with a focus in Eventing. Due to extremely high-demand our waitlist is currently closed while we move riders off the list.

Fire trucks and ambulance parked outside of Greenacres Equine Center indoor riding arena.

The equine department partnered with the Goshen and Indian Hill/ Madeira 1st Responders to offer hands-on training with the horses. The 1st Responders got to tour the Greenacres Equine Center and work hands on learning how to lead and work with horses. Our staff provides information and exercises that will help prepare 1st Responders for responding to calls where horses are involved. Goshen and Indian Hill/ Madeira were the pilot groups. We will be scheduling additional dates throughout 2023 for other departments to participate.

Ecological Research Grants

Through our extended research grant program, we have had the opportunity to collaborate with academic researchers on various ecological projects. Last year, three universities were awarded grant money: Northern Kentucky University, Miami University and the University of Dayton. This year, all three projects are coming together. Northern Kentucky is studying spring ephemeral (wildflower) restoration to understand what source material (seeds, bare root or plugs) result in the most success along with how soil and light conditions influence the growth of these species. Our woods in Indian Hill are one of the study sites. Miami University researchers are also on site, looking at the impact of deer and invasive species on woodland restoration. This Spring, as part of the study and with the help of our estate crew, two deer exclosures were constructed on our property. And the University of Dayton is working with Five Rivers MetroParks to understand how to best restore former agricultural fields back to woodlands. They are looking at different ways to improve soil health to support the growth of trees, in particular oaks. All of these projects are 2-3 years in length and the results of each will help inform land managers of the best management practices for their woodland restoration projects.

Northern Kentucky University undergraduates on site at Greenacres measuring plant height, flower number and seed heads on species planted during the restoration project.
13 Jun 2023
Three educators exploring creek and observing rocks

Greenacres Water Quality Education Center to be Renamed to Reflect Diverse Field Trip Programming and the Community it Serves

Three educators exploring creek and observing rocks

Greenacres Water Quality Education Center to be Renamed to Reflect Diverse Field Trip Programming and the Community it Serves

Miami Township, Clermont County – June 8, 2023

Greenacres is pleased to announce a change that better aligns with their field trip programming. Effective immediately, the Greenacres Water Quality Education Center building will be renamed “Greenacres Miami Township – Clermont County.”

The decision to adopt the new name stems from a desire to change the public perception of the educational experiences and opportunities available at this facility. While the original name specifically highlighted water quality programs, the location has always offered a comprehensive suite of activities, covering various aspects of environmental education.

“Programs at this facility can range from anywhere maple syrup collection activities in the winter, to creek exploration in the summer, and so much more” says Scott Wingate, Greenacres Director of Education. “By renaming this location, we hope to emphasize that this facility is more than just water quality education. This new name reflects our commitment to serve Clermont County by providing immersive and engaging field trip programming that explores not only water quality but also other vital aspects of environmental stewardship. We will continue to offer a rich selection of field trip experiences that empower visitors to understand, appreciate, and protect our natural world.”

Greenacres thanks Miami Township, Clermont County community for their continued support and looks forward to this new chapter as they embrace a more comprehensive approach to environmental education.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Name: Peter Wheeler

Title: Director of Marketing

Organization: Greenacres Foundation

Email: pwheeler@green-acres.org