By: Amy Kneller, Ag Resource Specialist
Are you interested in protecting farms, farmland, and a persons’ ability to farm?  Protecting agriculture doesn’t always require a conservation easement – it can mean simply securing the right of farmers to farm without dealing with overly burdensome regulations. That’s the role of an Agricultural Security Area (ASA), where agriculture is a primary activity in the municipality. Farmers work with municipalities to develop ASAs, which demonstrate that farming is a local priority and promote more permanent and viable farming operations.

​By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
What does a tree have to do with Christmas? A lot, but not so much with what has become known as the Christmas tree. It is simply a beloved Christmas tradition.
​It didn’t begin that way in the United States. 16th century German Christians were the first known to bring decorated trees inside. 19th century Americans didn’t think much of the idea, considering them an offensive pagan symbol interfering with a sacred day. 100 years later, the Christmas tree was growing in popularity, and today it is central to many a home’s Christmas decorations.

By: Miranda Neville, Agricultural Resource Specialist
On the coldest, darkest, snowiest days – when most people are able to call in to work or take a snow day, farmers trudge through the feet of snow to their barns and carry on with their 24/7/365 jobs. Winter is setting in and the long months of harvest are now in the rear view. Farmers everywhere have spent the spring, summer and fall working tirelessly to ensure they had enough feed to make it through the cold winter months. Hearing “well your crops are all done, now you get to relax” couldn’t be further from the truth. The relief that crop harvest is over is a much-needed physical and mental break. (Now there may even be time to squeeze in a nap or two!) Winter is also time for planning, making decisions for the next crop year, tillage choices, selection of seeds to plant in the spring, cutting firewood, and ordering parts for the endless equipment maintenance. Winter is also a time for holiday celebrations and family. So begins the delicate balance of scheduling both worlds. 

​​By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
Rest comes in sevens.  We see a significance in the number seven from the very beginning of written history.  Principles woven into the natural world’s design are affecting us, aware or not.  Learning to work with them causes prospering.  Rest is integral to success in any business, and in particular the farm.  Sometimes it’s counter intuitive.