In the UK, farmers are taking innovative steps to combat flooding by returning sections of their farms to a more natural state. James Robinson, a farmer from Cumbria, has collaborated with the Ullswater Catchment Management CIC to transform parts of his farm into wetland habitats. This initiative has not only led to the return of wildlife, with birds and invertebrates making a remarkable comeback, but has also proven effective in flood mitigation. The historical transformation of waterways into deep, straight canals has contributed to the severity of flooding in the UK. Farmers like James Robinson are working to reverse this trend by restoring streams to their natural, meandering state. The Ullswater CIC has witnessed the success of their stream restoration model, which has spread across the region, including areas such as Glenridding, Windermere, West and South Cumbria, and Ullswater.

Danny Teasdale, the CEO of Ullswater Catchment Management, notes the growing interest in their approach, emphasizing the positive impact on local communities. The restoration efforts involve re-meandering streams, creating ponds, and planting trees to prevent soil erosion. Robinson, having experienced first-hand the benefits of this approach on his farm, highlights the significant increase in biodiversity, including the return of birdlife and the sighting of a barn owl after a 40-year absence.
Beyond flood mitigation, restoring natural watercourses also offers additional environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration. Wetlands and grasslands store more carbon underground than forests, contributing to climate change mitigation. Scientific studies have shown that partially-rewilded farms can support increased biodiversity without compromising agricultural yields, pointing to the potential for a harmonious coexistence between farming and conservation efforts.

Bird-Friendly Maple Syrup is proving to be a catalyst for promoting forest diversity and resilience in Vermont, as showcased by Bourdon Maple Farm’s commitment to sustainable practices. In the heart of Woodstock, the farm’s 135-acre forest becomes a haven for birds during maple sugaring season, providing an enchanting backdrop for Meg Emmons, the head of operations, sales, and marketing. Recognizing the decline in forest bird populations due to habitat loss and monoculture practices, the Bird-Friendly Maple Project, initiated by Audubon Vermont, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation in 2014, seeks to change the narrative.

Maple syrup producers participating in the Bird-Friendly Maple Project commit to maintaining a sugarbush composition of no more than 75% sugar maples. This ensures that the forest remains diverse, with a variety of tree species supporting a vibrant ecosystem. The program also encourages producers to enhance the structural complexity of the sugarbush, promoting vegetation in the understory and midstory. The benefits extend beyond supporting wildlife, as a diverse forest is more resilient to threats like pests, diseases, and extreme weather events. Bird-friendly practices not only safeguard the environment but also provide producers with a unique selling point, allowing them to brand their products with a distinctive label that attracts environmentally conscious consumers.

The Bird-Friendly Maple Project has gained momentum, with 90 Vermont maple producers joining the cause and expanding its reach to New York, Massachusetts, and Maine. Approximately 18,000 acres of forest are now managed with birds in mind, demonstrating the program’s positive impact on fostering biodiversity. For producers like Don Bourdon and Meg Emmons, the bird-friendly label not only aligns with the growing interest in local, sustainable products but also serves as a platform to educate consumers about the crucial role maple syrup producers play in supporting wild bird populations. The initiative blends environmental consciousness with maple syrup production, creating a harmonious relationship between agriculture and ecology.

Rice paddy art is something very specific to a certain part of Japan, namely the village of Inakadate which decided to bring the area into the public’s attention in the 90s and attract more tourists.
To create a new attraction in the village, officials decided to commission artists to make rice-paddy art. The natural art piece spreads on a large surface and is comprised of seven different kinds of rice which all have their very own color palette.
The complex piece is the main tourist attraction, and thousands come to visit it every year. There is even a large conference every year in April when the next year’s design is discussed and carefully planned.
Digital renderings are there to help the village officials, envision next year’s design. Once the design is ready, it is being mapped onto the area where the seeds are then planted with the help of local art teachers.
The planting and design of the concept can last even 3 months, but the result is a beautiful 15,000 square-meter rice-paddy mural.

Farmers are looking for alternative ways to solve the problem of pests, without having to use harmful chemicals that can affect the produce and health of consumers. Some of them have found a surprisingly ingenious solution by using ducks to keep pests away.

This practice has its roots in Japan, where ducks have been used for a long time to keep pests away from rice-farms. This method even has a name and is called Aigamo and the first mentions of it date back to 600 years ago. Since a lot of farmers are trying to avoid pesticides nowadays, they’ve stumbled upon this traditional solution and have brought ducks to their fields.

There is even a book, named The Power of Duck, written by Takao Furuno who is a Japanese farmer, and the book is an introduction to farming with ducks used as a remedy for pests. This practice became very common in Japan as time passed by and now most of the rice-farmers are using ducks to keep pests far from their fields.

If you want to learn more about this farming method and how to keep your produce chemicals-free, the book of Takao Furuno would be a great start.

Find the book HERE…

Because of the nation-wide quarantine, Florida farmers have been faced with a real challenge: tons of fresh produce that started rotting and were going to waste.

Since their customer base is mainly comprised of restaurants, cruise ships, and theme parks which are all closed until further notice, they found themselves in the middle of a crisis.

But after observing that people started to cook more at home, they changed their business model starting this month and decided to sell directly to the consumers.

Florida farmers have also started to receive help from the state department of agriculture, which managed to quickly set up a website to connect farmers with potential customers.

The website has a full list of each product offered by the farmers and some of them even offer specialty products, such as caimito, citrus, jackfruit, kale, and even papaya.

This is such a great way to connect buyers with local farmers, and also help out small businesses during these trying times.