Category: Research

20 Jun 2025

Around Greenacres – Spring 2025

Around Greenacres - Spring 2025

A Strong Season for Our Flock

Spring has brought exciting news from our pastures—this year’s lambing season was one of our most successful to date. With a lambing rate of over 200%, our ewes (adult female sheep) averaged two lambs each, far exceeding the national average of 107%. This strong performance highlights the health of our flock and the success of our rotational grazing and breeding programs.

Our sheep are managed on pasture year-round and serve an essential role in our multi-species grazing system. They are typically rotated alongside our cattle, supporting soil health and pasture diversity by grazing a different mix of plants. This integrated approach not only improves pasture performance but also naturally reduces parasite loads, benefiting the health of both species.

You may also spot our flock in the Ley Field cover crops, where their weight makes them an ideal fit for grazing sensitive soils. Unlike cattle, sheep exert less pressure on the ground, minimizing the risk of soil compaction while still contributing to the breakdown of cover crops and the cycling of nutrients back into the soil.

As always, our management practices focus on the health of the animals, the land, and the long-term sustainability of our farms. With the success of this lambing season and continued thoughtful grazing, we’re optimistic about the months ahead.

Monitoring Wetlands for Wildlife and Water Quality

At Greenacres, our commitment to conservation includes the protection and restoration of imperiled ecosystems—like wetlands. Over the years, we’ve constructed several wetlands on our property with two primary goals in mind: creating vital habitat for native wildlife and improving the quality of water leaving our land.

These constructed wetlands are designed as a series of connected pools that mimic natural wetland function. Water flows gradually from one pool to the next through spillways, allowing suspended sediments to settle and excess nutrients to be absorbed by wetland vegetation. By the time water reaches the final pool and returns to the stream, it is significantly cleaner—benefiting ecosystems at Greenacres and beyond.

To ensure these wetlands are working as intended, our research team collects water samples each spring. We measure indicators like pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, nitrogen, and phosphorus at both the first and last pools to track changes in water quality. Additionally, we survey for macroinvertebrates—small aquatic creatures like insect larvae—that serve as indicators of wetland health. Some species are highly sensitive to pollution, so their presence is a positive sign that our wetlands are functioning well.

This ongoing monitoring not only informs our management practices but also contributes to broader conservation efforts. By stewarding healthy wetlands, we support biodiversity, reduce nutrient pollution, and demonstrate how land stewardship can have positive ripple effects downstream.

Growing Under Cover: High Tunnels Expand Garden Production

This spring, the Garden Department made an exciting addition to our growing infrastructure by installing three 20×100-foot high tunnels on the Indian Hill campus. These metal-framed structures, covered with a protective plastic skin, help us extend our growing season and improve the quality and reliability of our crops. Outfitted with automated ventilation systems, the tunnels give us greater control over temperature, airflow, and moisture—key factors in sustainable, chemical-free growing.

Right now, one of our new tunnels is full of summer’s most anticipated crop: tomatoes. A staple of the season, tomatoes thrive in the warm, protected environment the tunnels provide. This early boost in growing conditions allows us to get tomatoes into the Farm Market sooner than ever. Plus, by eliminating rain exposure and using drip irrigation, we greatly reduce the risk of diseases typically spread by wet foliage and splashing soil—no synthetic chemicals needed.

The high tunnels will continue to play a major role as the seasons change. This winter, we’ll showcase how these structures help us grow cool-season crops, providing fresh, local produce even in the coldest months.

Be sure to stop by the Farm Market soon—our first tunnel-grown tomatoes of the season will be arriving before you know it!

Spring Touch-Ups and Thoughtful Improvements

From thoughtful restoration to creative reuse, the Buildings and Grounds team has been busy making Greenacres shine this spring.

At one of our barns, new shelving was built to help the livestock team stay organized and ready for daily animal care. These sturdy shelves were made from repurposed fencing, giving old materials new life while keeping sustainability at the heart of our work.

Over at the Arts Center, the team worked hard to refresh the landscaping, making sure everything looks its best for a busy season of spring and summer events. Their attention to detail ensures a welcoming and beautiful space for all our visitors. View upcoming events here.

To help establish the new garden at Nippert Barn, we’ve installed custom gates and fencing to help keep curious deer at bay. Look closely and you’ll spot a charming detail—a section of the original iron fence incorporated into the design, tying the past into the present.

And finally, one of the most exciting spring updates: the completion of our newest wetland near Nippert Barn! This project will enhance wildlife habitat and water quality, and we’re eager to watch it come to life as native plants bloom and birds and pollinators move in.

Leaders in Training: Empowering the Next Generation

Greenacres is proud to welcome a record-breaking 42 Leaders in Training (LITs) to our 2025 summer camps! Designed for high school students ages 14–17, the LIT program offers teens a unique opportunity to volunteer, gain hands-on experience, and receive mentorship from our dedicated educators.

This year, LITs will serve across all nine Greenacres camp sites, including our newest locations: Nippert Barn and Michaela Farm. Each participant commits to two weeks of service, supporting day-to-day camp activities while bringing energy, curiosity, and leadership to every corner of Greenacres.

LITs will also set personal leadership goals and develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals tailored to each site they serve, helping guide their personal and professional growth throughout the summer.

We’re inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of these young leaders as they engage with nature, build essential skills, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

A Spring Season of Service and Stewardship

The Equine Center had a vibrant and productive spring thanks to the energy and dedication of visiting student groups who joined us in service projects across the property. Their efforts not only supported our daily operations but also deepened their connection to nature and land stewardship.

We welcomed 75 middle schoolers from Clark Montessori over the course of three days. These students rolled up their sleeves to take down, clean, repaint, and reinstall bird boxes throughout the gardens and along the 8400 Blome Road driveway—giving important nesting habitat a fresh start for the season.

Fifth graders from Deer Park spent the day learning about pasture management by measuring and marking the temporary fencing lines we use for rotational grazing. It was a hands-on lesson in sustainable livestock care.

Roger Bacon High School brought nearly 70 students to our South Farm, where they tackled a variety of projects. They pitched in with garden tasks, cleaned and organized equipment in the equine classroom, and even constructed a new stump circle near the jump field pasture—providing a welcoming gathering space for future visiting groups.

We also enjoyed hosting the Indian Hill High School Leadership group, who visited four times this spring. Their visits were a blend of fun and service—they played a round of Greenacres Jeopardy to learn more about our work, painted bird boxes, and helped pack up recycling.

Spending time with these hardworking students was a true highlight of our spring. Their willingness to learn and contribute was inspiring, and we’re grateful for the many ways they supported our team and mission.

24 Apr 2025

Shedding Light on the Forest: How Data is Guiding Our Work at Greenacres Lewis Township

Shedding Light on the Forest: How Data is Guiding Our Work at Greenacres Lewis Township

It’s difficult to care for something you don’t fully understand. Managing land without information is like navigating in the dark—each step uncertain. At Greenacres, we believe in beginning with knowledge. That’s why we use data to guide our decisions, helping us understand where we are and where we need to go.

Recently, one of our largest efforts has focused on the forests at Lewis Township in Brown County, Ohio. Together, our Land Management and Research departments have been developing a long-term land management plan to protect and restore this unique landscape. The plan identifies current conditions, potential threats, and a roadmap for improving the health of the ecosystems found there.

Why a Tree Inventory?

Roughly two-thirds of the Lewis Township property—about 350 acres—is forested. Until recently, this area was largely unexplored by our staff. We lacked key information about the trees growing there, such as what species were present, how big they were, and how densely they were growing. Since trees are the foundation of any forest ecosystem, this information is essential to managing the land responsibly.

To close that knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive tree inventory. It was a big job: nearly 3,000 trees were measured and identified, representing 41 different species. The results are helping us better understand the forest and plan for its future.

What We Measured—and Why

Our inventory focused on four important aspects of forest health:

      • Native Species Diversity: A variety of native tree species helps support more wildlife and makes the forest more resilient to stress.

 

      • Species Quality: Some trees play a bigger role in conservation due to their value to wildlife or their sensitivity to environmental change.

 

      • Size Complexity: Forests with trees of all sizes—from saplings to giants—are better at supporting different types of wildlife and indicate that the forest is naturally regenerating.

 

      • Basal Area: This measures how dense the forest is by calculating the total area of tree trunks at chest height per acre. Higher values usually mean a darker, cooler, and more mature forest.

We combined these four measurements into what we call a Forest Quality Score. This score helps us identify the highest-quality areas of the forest—those that will likely become a focus for conservation and careful management.

What We Learned

Two major insights came from this project:

      1. Forest Uniformity: Much of the forest has a similar density—about 100 square feet of tree trunk per acre. That’s common in forests that regrew after logging in the mid-1900s. These forests have closed canopies, little sunlight reaching the forest floor, and limited plant diversity in the understory. While mature forests are important, having the entire landscape look the same limits the variety of habitats available to wildlife. That’s why we’re considering creating more open areas, like woodlands and savannas, which historically occurred through natural disturbances and support different plant and animal species.

      2. The Future of Oaks: Oaks are a keystone species in many eastern U.S. forests, and they’re abundant at Lewis Township. But their future is uncertain. Oak seedlings need sunlight to grow, and in these dense forests, they’re losing ground to shade-tolerant species like maples. Our inventory did uncover several areas where oaks are thriving and regenerating naturally. These zones could become priority areas for management efforts to support oak populations and ensure their long-term survival.

Moving Forward

Now that we have a clearer picture of the forest, we can move forward with confidence. This tree inventory gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions, protect what’s thriving, and restore what’s not. It’s a major step toward building a healthier, more resilient landscape at Lewis Township—one that supports diverse wildlife, strong native plant communities, and the long-term ecological sustainability that Greenacres is committed to.

20 Mar 2025

Around Greenacres – Winter 2025

Around Greenacres - Winter 2025

Sweet Success at Michaela Farm

This winter, Michaela Farm and the Events Department welcomed over 200 guests to the Michaela Farm Open House & Maple Day on February 22, 2025. Visitors explored the new Education Center, learned about maple syrup production in our sugar shack, and enjoyed a guided hike through the property. Families participated in hands-on activities while discovering upcoming field trip and summer camp opportunities. Guests also warmed up with a delicious meal featuring Greenacres products, prepared by Pearl Street Catering. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of education, community, and connection to the land.

Arts & Environmental Education Flourish at Lewis Township

Greenacres Lewis Township is growing! We are on pace to welcome over 2,000 learners to our Lewis Township Education Center during the 2024-2025 school year through expanded partnerships and enriched program offerings. A major highlight is the introduction of hybrid Environmental Education + Arts and Arts-only programs, designed to meet Ohio State Standards across Fine Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning. These programs provide students with creative and meaningful arts experiences, fostering deeper engagement with the world around them.

Our Arts Education team, based at our Cincinnati campus, played a key role in this success. Arts Educator Sophie Kussman brought her passion for visual and performing arts to Lewis Township, to help lead this work. Sophie and her colleagues facilitated programs such as Art for the Heart, which blends art, music, and mindful movement to support students’ social-emotional well-being.

Additionally, we are introducing our Leaders in Training (LITs), volunteer leadership opportunities for 14-17 year olds, to summer camps at Lewis Township—learn more about the opportunity here. We continue to collaborate with the Brown County ESC, participating in initiatives like Little State STEAM and STEAMology professional development to support local educators and students.

Learn more about our summer camps and field trips today and discover how we’re bringing nature and the arts to life for our community in Lewis Township!

Winter Learning in the Barn and Beyond

Our Equine team collaborated across Greenacres, supporting Exploring With Grace Programs and developing fresh activities for new fall offerings. They welcomed Chase Elementary School teachers for a Professional Development Day, where they engaged in both agriculture and equine activities before utilizing our indoor arena classroom. They also hosted 7th and 8th graders from Mt. Washington School for our Calculating Horse Care: Ratios program, where students connected math concepts with real-world equine management.

In the stables, winter brings a valuable shift in focus for our Greenacres Pony Club. While mounted lessons continue, the cold season allows for deeper learning in unmounted education and horse care. Our 13 active Pony Club members took part in barn “shifts,” managing daily care routines like stall cleaning, feeding, turnout, and more. This hands-on experience is essential for developing responsible and capable equestrians. The winter season culminated in the Midsouth Pony Club Quiz Rally 2025, where our teams placed 1st and 4th in their levels, with one rider earning 4th overall out of more than 50 competitors. We are proud of their dedication and commitment to both learning and horse care.

Learn more about Equine Education at Greenacres

Deer Monitoring: Understanding the Impact on Our Woodlands

As winter drew to a close, the Research department was eager to begin gathering critical data on deer, an important keystone species in our local ecosystem. Deer play a vital role in shaping the forest community, but over time, we’ve observed signs that their impact may be disrupting the health of our woodlands. Specifically, we’ve noticed a lack of understory plant diversity and fewer young trees, which could be linked to deer browsing. However, factors like invasive species, poor seed dispersal, and low light levels may also be contributing to these issues.

To better understand the extent of deer’s influence, the team focuses on monitoring deer browse during the winter. Late winter is an ideal time to track deer consumption, as their diet primarily consists of buds and twigs from trees and shrubs. By examining browse signs, we can assess whether deer are eating more than the plants can regrow.

Additionally, winter’s sparse vegetation makes it an excellent time to estimate deer density using fecal pellet counts. The absence of ground-level growth makes fecal piles easy to spot, and by counting them across a designated area, we can estimate deer population density. Combining this data with our findings on browsing patterns will help us determine if the current deer population is sustainable for forest health. If necessary, we’ll develop strategies to ensure a balanced relationship between deer populations and the overall well-being of our woodlands.

Improving Our Livestock Management

The Livestock team is thrilled to be able to start using the now completed Michaela Farm livestock handling facility. This new facility is a significant improvement to our operations, allowing for more efficient livestock management and data collection, which will ultimately improve animal health and management practices. The facility is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our infrastructure and supporting the welfare of our animals.

In addition to this advancement, our Livestock, Gardens, Research, and Land Management teams started participating in an 18-week Holistic Management International (HMI) training course. This course is designed to deepen our understanding of whole-farm planning through three core areas: Holistic Goal planning, financial planning, and grazing planning. Holistic Management is a comprehensive approach to land stewardship that emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. It is widely used by farmers and ranchers to improve land health, increase productivity, and enhance community well-being.

By implementing the strategies learned in this course, we aim to not only optimize our grazing practices but also to foster long-term sustainability across all departments at Greenacres. Through careful planning and the application of Holistic Management principles, we’re working toward a more resilient and sustainable farming system that benefits both the land and the local community.

12 Apr 2023
tall metal-framed deer exclosure in the forest in early spring

Improving Restoration of Forest Understory

tall metal-framed deer exclosure in the forest in early spring

Improving Restoration of Forest Understory:

Experimental Deer Exclosure, Invasive Plant Management, and Enrichment Planting

Each year, Greenacres Foundation funds research proposals relating to ecology and the environment. One funded project currently underway is through Miami University, examining forest restoration and the impact deer are having on invasive plant management and subsequent native species plantings.

In the woods on our Indian Hill campus, two deer exclosures were constructed to keep deer out, and each is paired with plots that deer continue to have access to. Two treatments are being applied to the forest floor in each of the test plots: herbicide and no herbicide. Enrichment planting will take place across all plots. Data collection will include survival and growth of both currently occurringĀ  and planted wildflowers and tree seedlings.

Start Date: Fall 2022
End Date: Summer 2025
Budget: $86,496
Partner: Miami University

Questions About Greenacres Research?

If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Jennifer Mansfield at jmansfield@green-acres.org.

If you would like to apply for funding for your research project, click here for more information about our grant funding process.