Farm loops are an excellent means to draw customers to a farm and educate an urban audience that is often three and four generations removed from agriculture.
In streamside or riparian areas, choosing the right plants and where to plant them depends on location in relation to the streambed. There are three zones that dictate the kinds of plants that can be grown.
Farmscaping describes a broad range of activities that improve the diversity of a small farm and enhance the ecosystem it inhabits. Creating riparian buffer zones is one such enhancement.
Elizabeth Murphy |
Jul 2013 |
Article
Photo: Lynn Ketchum, OSU EESC (Cropped from original)
Plants native to the Northwest are well adapted to conditions near streams where the groundwater table is shallow enough to interact with plant roots. Here's a guide to selecting plants for areas near streams.
Changing weather patterns show that drought will continue to be a challenge for farmers and ranchers on the central and north coast of Oregon and throughout the state. That's why a drought management plan is essential.