This year, our annual Growing Green conference has been split into a 3-day series focused on topics such as conservation, water quality, how local food systems have been impacted during the pandemic, and lastly – on April 2nd – we’ll be in-person at the Agraria farm to learn about promoting wildlife habitat. This conference is co-sponsored by Tecumseh Land Trust and the Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice, as a part of the Jacoby Partnership, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program through the USDA.

Day one of the conference, Conservation & Water Quality in the Miami Valley, was curated for local landowners to learn more about resources available for them to implement conservation practices and what testing tools are available. The day began with a general overview of this region’s water quality with Sarah Hippensteel Hall, Miami Conservancy District’s Manager of Watershed Partnerships. Afterward, we heard from NRCS about programs and funding to support soil health and conservation practice cost-share assistance on private lands. Dr. Sakthi Subburayalu from Central State University then gave a presentation about a conservation mapping tool and how we can use local data to improve soil health. We shifted our focus to water quality Yellow Springs with panelists Zach Bollheimer (Land Manager of Glen Helen Nature Preserve), staff members from Xylem and Honey Comb Digital, Rachel Isaacson from Agraria, and lastly, Dr. Subbaraylu. Lastly, Peggy Kirk Hall, Director of OSU’s Agricultural and Resource Law, presented how landowners can work with their farmers to promote conservation.

Day two, Local Food Systems in the Pandemic, centered around institutional-level local food purchasing and how our food systems have been impacted by the pandemic. Associate Professor of Political Economics at Antioch College, Dean Snyder, began the day by providing an overview of our national, regional, and local food systems and the addressed what he sees as the most pressing systemic challenges we are experiencing and identifying the roots to these problems. Snyder primarily addresses the problems with corporate monopoly power and how it relates to the high levels of inflation in food prices we are seeing at the grocery stores. Topics such as food sovereignty were also discussed, as our current food system is rooted in current and historical colonial contexts. After Snyder’s presentation, we had a local food purchasing panel which consisted of local institutional food purchasers from Cincinnati City Schools, Antioch College, and Columbus City Schools discussing their accomplishments and difficulties with being able to purchase and provide local foods in their kitchens. 

During our final day of the conference on April 2nd, biologists from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and Ohio Grasslands & Grazing Coordinator with Pheasants Forever, Inc. & Quail Forever will share about the free assistance they provide to help landowners increase biodiversity on their properties. Next, the Yellow Springs Habitat Team will discuss how individuals can certify their yards with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). One of the goals that the Yellow Springs Environmental Commission proposed for 2020 was to launch a Village-wide Wildlife Habitat Certification through the National Wildlife Federation. Through the hard work of the Yellow Springs Habitat Team (which consisted of members from Agraria, Tecumseh Land Trust, Glen Helen, and the Environmental Commission), Yellow Springs was named by the NWF as one of their top 10 communities for 2020 and was recertified in 2021. In the afternoon, there will be a workshop to help guide community members on steps to increase wildlife on any size property.

It truly 'takes a village' – Here in Yellow Springs, we are working together to heal our ecosystems, make our local food systems more resilient, and do what we can in our own backyards. We appreciate everyone’s participation and passion and hope to see many of you here at the Agraria Farm on April 2nd. See below for more information and how to register.

Growing Green 2022 Conference

Promoting Wildlife Habitat
April 2nd, 2022
In Person at Agraria Farm

Cosponsored by Tecumseh Land Trust and the Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice, as a part of the Jacoby Partnership, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program through the USDA.

Join us in person for the third and final day of the Growing Green Conference to hear about how you can increase biodiversity on your own property, no matter the size! We'll hear about free resources and assistance programs from biologists, the Yellow Springs Habitat Group, and engage in activities that will help teach you how to best assess what native plants are to grow, eco-friendly planting management practices, and more!