Blog
Thank You, Miami Beach Voters.
South Florida faced an oncoming tropical storm near Election Day this year, but that didn’t stop Miami Beach voters – 65 percent of them – from voting to support arts and culture. The substantial investment of $159 million includes $20.1 million for The...
My Black Olive Bonsai Tree
I purchased this Black Olive Bonsai tree during COVID in South Florida. When I couldn’t find the wire that I wanted, I bought these fish weights on eBay. It’s been a very helpful tool and they are reusable! It’s a little more hands-on than wire and I have to...
New York Times Highlights Species Diversity
Take a look at this map. Go to the second letter N in the state of TN and look at the bright red coloration a bit to the left. That is the location of my farm, Coal Creek. I am thrilled the New York Times has run this story on the front page, highlighting the...
Ecotourism and Saving the Piney River
My working farm on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee is one of my passions. Another is paddling the region’s rivers. Because of that I have, for years, worked with other landowners, the government, non-profits and environmentalists to ensure the preservation of...
The Environment and the Economy Can Help Each Other Out
I love my farm, and I love being the steward of beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife, and especially the new species we’ve found of both plants and animals. We’ve had many management challenges like spraying poison on bugs to save trees or another less effective...
Grasshopper Species
Thanks for your interest in the mushrooms we found on Coal Creek Farm. It’s been a dry spring, so the mushrooms are “resting” but the bugs are alive and buzzing. We’ve had researchers on property cataloging the bugs. It’s fascinating to watch them work. I wrote a...
Beatriz’ Article in Skipping Stones, “Why I Need My Cellphone”
I am always proud when Beatriz’ stories get published. I don’t remember reading this one before she submitted it, but it is particularly poignant in today’s lockdown world. Check out the story at Skippinstones.org. Why I Need My Cell...
Longhorn Bulls | Beginning Farmer
I love my cows. Over the years I’ve learned how they can be part of a vibrant ecosystem and play a role in it! Yes, a vibrant ecosystem. For Beginning Farmer Magazine I’ve written about making sure they have water and how my Longhorns will graze in burned areas...
AWRA Presentation
When we invested in Florida’s Lake Point Restoration we had two goals: aggregate mining and water. We spent years gaining the approvals, moving through the public hearings and processes, establishing partnerships with Martin County and the South Florida Water...
Gravel on Farm Roads
I have a lot of interests. Art. Reading. Writing. Mushrooms. Birds. There is a lot more. I am a life-long learner and one of the things I’ve learned in managing a working farm is that it’s one thing to build a road and another to maintain it. In this article for...