A Farmscaping for Beneficials Farm Walk at Persephone Farm
Farming for Bees, Beetles and (True) Bugs
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Persephone Farm in Lebanon, Oregon is bordered by the South Santiam River, with diverse and mature riparian vegetation, and oak savannah that eventually merge with the forested vegetation of the
western Cascade foothills. Innovative farmers, Jeff Falen and Elanor O’Brien have been farming certified organic vegetables for fresh market at Persephone for over 20 years. They grow thirteen acres
of mixed vegetables, strawberries, and raise 200 chickens for eggs on 23 acres in a four year rotation. Elanor and Jeff are masters at integrating and growing insectary plantings within their
production crops. Persephone is also home to Oregon’s oldest beetle bank, (undisturbed, on-farm habitat for predacious ground beetles) now going into its 4th year. At the walk we will be taking a
detailed, hands-on, look into the identification, biology, and ecology, of native bees, bugs and beetles and the on-farm habitat that supports them. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to follow
veteran organic vegetable farmers and bugscapers as we attempt to understand and observe how the complex web of biodiversity and crop production interact right before our eyes! There will be a veggie
potluck at 5:00.
