Current Projects

Tree and Shrub Planting

American Kestrel

The American Kestrel hen laid four eggs, right in line with the average clutch size. We will continue watching and updating over the next 26-32 days as she continues the incubation process. Hoping to see healthy chicks hatch around May 31st.

The chicks are around 3 weeks old and are really starting to develop. This video shows the male American Kestrel bringing in a dragon fly for the chicks as a quick meal. The chicks will soon hunt as a family group, which provides the young birds a chance to practice their skills with their parents before surviving on their own.

After spending approximately 30 days in the nest, the fledglings are now developing their adult feathers. The chicks will soon be preparing to leave the nest and meet the world for the very first time. Kestrels typically remain close to the nest during their first few adventures and learn from their parents on how to survive as an adult.

Lower Lake Shoreline

Littoral Restoration
(Year 5)

In 2014 we began our native prairie restoration project by planting 74,795 plugs in our littoral (lake shoreline) zones. The planting process is done manually through crews averaging between 4-10 people each having their own jobs. One of the jobs of the crew consist of delivering plugs to the proper planting zone. Another job is creating holes for the individual plugs to be planted, this consist of 1-2 people that drill using a 2-in. powered auger. The remainder of the crew members prep and place the plugs into the pre-drilled holes. After the completion of planting each zone it is then monitored and watered if needed throughout the first growing season. Currently on site we have planted 331,011 native plugs in our littoral zones covering a total of 16.71 acres. As the native prairie species mature and establish themselves throughout their zones, our next steps are to harvest their seeds in order to disperse throughout the property.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Woodland Planting
(Year 3)

In 2016 we began woodland planting 5,364 plugs along the trails throughout the property. We started this process to introduce native shade tolerant species to the property. The planting process is done manually through crews averaging between 3-5 people each having their own jobs. One of the jobs of the crew consist of delivering plugs to be planted, While another person drills using a 2-in. powered auger. The remainder of the crew members prep and place the plugs into the pre-drilled holes. After the completion of planting each zone, it is then monitored and watered if needed throughout the first growing season. Currently on site we have planted 34,737 native plugs in our woodland planting zones covering a total of 14.18 acres. As the native prairie species mature and establish themselves throughout their zones, our next step is to harvest their seeds in order to disperse throughout the property.

Woodland Species Planted

Western Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis) In Production Field

Production Field
(Year 5)

In 2014 we began our production fields by planting 98,625 plugs into our phase one zone. Due to the fields being accessible by tractor we are able to use a two-row mechanical transplanter. This machine often operates with six people including someone delivering plugs, a tractor operator, two people manually feeding the machine, and two people walking each row checking for quality. When conditions are right and plugs are on sight, this machine gives us the ability to plant around 1,000 plugs/hr in rows that are easily harvestable. Once plants are in the ground, we immediately water rows to ensure that they have root moisture and the best chance for survival. Currently on site we have three production fields that hold 223,285 plugs on a total of 21.26 acres. In addition to plugs, we also over-seed areas to ensure an enhanced native prairie. As the native prairie species mature and establish themselves throughout their zones, our next steps will be to harvest their seeds in order to disperse natives throughout the property.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Cleaned Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) Seed

Seed Totals For 2018

Seed Totals For 2019

Harvesting and Cleaning Seed
(Year 1)

In 2018 we began harvesting and cleaning seed from our native prairie. We collected 41 different species on site that year by hand. We worked in various groups in order to monitor and collect seed throughout the harvesting season. We harvest the seed between the months of June and November. When the seed has been collected from the plant, it is then spread throughout our production barn for the drying process. Each species requires a varied drying period, so constant monitoring is needed throughout the process. When the seed is fully dried, we then begin the separating process to remove the chaff. Various techniques and tools are used in order to separate the wide variety of harvested seed from its chaff. We use threshing, sifting, winnowing, aspirating, de-bearding, and de-hulling techniques to clean our seed. When the seed is completely rid of chaff, it is ready to be bagged, labeled, and stored for the next planting season. The remaining chaff is spread throughout the property to allow any excess seed that was not able to be separated the opportunity to germinate. When the seed has been planted, we will then mow the area for two growing seasons, this helps contain unwanted weeds and allows the prairie plants to put energy into their root systems. On the third growing season, we let the plants grow and spot spray any invasive species that may be competing with our natives. We then allow our fully mature plants to spread seed for their first growing seasons in order to encourage filling and spreading of vacant areas. When the zone is completely full of native prairie, we will then begin the seed harvesting process of those species.

Management Practices

Oak Savanna
Restoration
(Year 7)

In 1846, when surveyors were marketing the townships of this land they described it as a "rolling brushy prairie with little timber. Some scattered burr and white oaks." The property still has some of that remnant savanna landscape, but because of a lack in exposure to fire many of these timbers have spread and become overgrown. By implementing prescribed burns we provide a tool to control the spread of invasive species.

In 2015 we started the oak savanna management plan by clearing one acre of invasive woodland and planting native species throughout. Currently on site we have cleared 35 acres and re-established it into oak savanna. Our goal is to re-establish the total woodland area on the property in oak savanna.

MANAGEMENT Practices

Lake Ecosystem
Management
(Year 7)

In 2012 we started our lake ecosystem management plan by enhancing our dam structures and completing construction of the 30-acre lower lake. While constructing the lake, we began putting plans together on how we could enhance the wildlife environment for years to come. Some ways we have accomplished this is our implementation of fish structures, continued fish stocking, and aquatic restoration.

In the fall of 2018 we stocked a total of 500 walleye that were between 6-8 inches, 300 yellow perch that were 4-6 inches, and 200 bluegills that ranged between 2-4 inches. Due to limited quantity in 2018 we were unable to stock small mouth bass, but our hope is to continue increasing those numbers this year.

To continue in providing the optimum food source we also stock the lakes with fathead minnows. This fall we stocked 400 gallons of fatheads, totaling roughly 800,000 minnows that were divided into both lakes. As the years progress and habitat improves, fish will become sustainable without the need of stocking.

More About the Fish

Mushroom Species

Mushrooms
(Year 6)

Started in 2013, we commenced on a way to grow varieties of mushrooms using sawdust spores. Currently on sight we grow mushroom varieties of shiitakes, oysters, nomekos, hericiums, and soon to come wine caps. In total we have 443 mushroom logs and our hope is to increase those numbers every growing season. We grow our mushrooms out of three varieties of logs and harvest their produce between late August and November depending on the years weather conditions. Once mushrooms are harvested, they travel to exquisite restaurants or are given to guest for use in their delicious home cooked meals. The mushroom logs on average will produce for twelve years unless taken over by invader species in which we burn and replace. Next year we hope to begin the process of growing the morel strand of mushroom and implementing straw to our growing process.

Management Practices

Educational Tour

Environmental
Education
(Year 6)

Here at Freshwater Family Farms, we strive to learn everything that we can about our environment and pass our knowledge onto others through multiple educational opportunities. From establishment in 2013, we have visited and hosted a wide range of intellectuals that have increased our understanding of the property and provided us with the means to enhance our re-establishment techniques.

Through our continued education, we have been able to provide a variety of groups opportunities to visit the property and learn directly from the re-established native environment. Freshwater Family Farms strives to continually have students from multiple locations visit the property to learn about our re-establishment processes and individual species that once again inhabit here.

As we continue to enhance the wildlife environment on the property, we strive to increase the opportunities in spreading our enthusiasm and knowledge for the outdoors with others. As we continue to host groups in the years ahead, our hope is to make an everlasting impression that will influence their thoughts and actions toward the environment we all live in.

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