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This Month
At Wild Farm Alliance, we believe that every hedgerow planted, every wild farm event offered, and every nature-based study shared bring us closer to a thriving, biodiverse farmscape. This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Directory, designed to connect growers with local experts who can help with tailored pest management solutions. We’re also showcasing how WFA helped plant over 1,800 feet of native hedgerows at Blue Oak Canyon Ranch. We’re gearing up for the Organicology conference, where we’ll talk about how habitat, often left out of regenerative agriculture discussions, plays a critical role in organic agriculture. We share highlights from recent WFA events in California and Minnesota and a new study about how monarch butterflies are shifting their migration patterns in response to climate change. Finally, in case you missed our previous email, we share information about how WFA is being impacted by Federal events and how you can take action to support conservation programs in agriculture.
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Enjoy this month’s News from the Wild!
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WFA Launches New Directory of SPM Specialists
WFA is pleased to launch our brand-new Directory of Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Experts—your go-to resource for finding skilled advisors who can help you tackle pest challenges the sustainable way! SPM specialists are mapped, along with details about their services. This allows farmers to find local experts who understand their crops and can help implement SPM solutions tailored to their unique needs. If you’re an SPM specialist, join the directory at the link below.
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Roots and Wool: The Harmony of Hedgerows on Sheep Ranches
By Katie Goode Donaldson, WLCC AmeriCorpsFellow
Winding through chaparral and grasslands—past clusters of blue oaks, foothill pines, and ancient junipers—you’ll discover Blue Oak Canyon Ranch nestled in the shadows of the Diablo Range. The ranch spans 122 acres, with owners Lynn and Jim Moody using most of it for raising sheep and roughly 10 acres to grow olive trees, vegetables, ornamentals, and dye plants. Their vision centers on the importance of reciprocity and sustainable practices in their relationship with the land.
Wild Farm Alliance and Fibershed, a non-profit dedicated to building local, regenerative fiber systems, partnered with the Moodys in January to install a hedgerow planting to enhance biodiversity on the farm. Over the course of two days, we collaboratively placed and planted vegetation as part of a shared vision for the land.
The first step was mapping out over 1,800 feet of hedgerows to fill the spaces between roads and fields, herds and pathways, and fences. Nick Filannino, Wild Farm Alliance’s Technical Advisor and Ecologist, created the plant lists ahead of time based on the farm’s needs, climate, and temperament. Once at the farm, Nick, Lynn, and Jim walked the land, discussing its history, current state, and the overall flow.
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Beyond Regenerative: WFA Speaks at Organicology
March 12-14, 2025 at Revolution Hall in Portland, OR
Join WFA and other contributors, advocates and change-makers from across the organic sector to revolutionize food, agriculture and economic models for the better. WFA’s Jo Ann Baumgartner and Salmon Safe’s Dan Ken lead a session to discuss utilizing biodiversity to go beyond regenerative on March 13 at 2:45pm.
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Connecting Growers with Beneficial Birds: Wild Farm Alliance at Midwest Conferences
This January, WFA’s Courtney Tchida and Alayna Merchlewitz (a dedicated WLCC AmeriCorps Fellow), captivated audiences with their deep dive into Wild Farm Alliance programs! They shed light on the power of beneficial birds and of keystone native plants that support them. Our partner Nic Nelson of Sharing Our Roots brought these strategies to life with real-world applications. The presentation sparked thoughtful discussions on integrating birds into farm management and audience members showed enthusiasm for nest boxes and other nesting habitat. Beyond presenting, WFA staff enjoyed connecting with growers from all over the Midwest!
Last week, Wild Farm Alliance had the opportunity to table at the 36th Marbleseed Organic Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. We shared our Upper Midwest Beneficial Bird Native Plant Chart, featuring 160 midwest native species that support birds and enhance farm ecosystems. Attendees also signed up for our Farmland Flyways Trail Map, helping us grow a network of Midwest farmers who incorporate nest boxes and raptor perches into their landscapes. Most importantly, we built meaningful relationships with growers, igniting discussionsabout wildlife-friendly farming—and with the added incentive of a chance to win a nest box, many were eager to get involved.
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Cultivating Resilient Farming at EcoFarm
Last month Wild Farm Alliance partnered with EcoFarm to co-host a Pre-Conference on Sustainable Pest Management (SPM). This event was convened by leading voices in agroecology, integrated pest management (IPM), environmental policy, and agribusiness. Through expert-led discussions, the event highlighted sustainable, diversified farming practices that reduce reliance on chemicals and enhance ecological health.
Dr. Miguel Altieiri explored the dynamic relationship between plant diversity, soil biology and fertility in promoting plant health, enhancing biological pest control, and suppressing pests through plant-microbe interactions. Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren highlighted the shift from industrial agriculture to multifunctional, regenerative systems, emphasizing adaptive ecosystem management. Dr. William Snyder discussed how diversified farm habitats enhance natural pest suppression, while Dr. Margaret Lloyd and agronomist Gerald Davis focused on organic nitrogen management, disease-suppressive soils, and crop rotation to harness ecosystem services for pest control.
Speakers also dove into field-based pest management techniques, from beneficial insect habitats and cover crops to Diamondback Moth control, with insights from Kim Horton and Dr. Dylan Beal. Dr. Matt Grieshop and Gina Bella Colfer evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of organic biocontrol products, while we heard from industry experts on automated technology for sustainable weed control. Dr. David Headrick and Jessica Vaughan closed with a discussion on organic scouting and threshold-setting, emphasizing whole-farm scouting as a key tool for informed pest management decisions.
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Monarch Butterflies Changing Migration
By Sanjana Gajbhiye, Earth.com staff writer
Monarch butterflies are among the most studied insects in the world due to their impressive seasonal journeys across North America. Yet, their populations face mounting challenges as climate change alters the landscapes they rely on.
Between April and November, from 2003 to 2019, amateur butterfly enthusiast Harlan Radcliff carefully recorded the dates, times, locations, and numbers of the butterflies he spotted.
He had no idea at the time that his efforts would one day shape a significant scientific study. His dataset provided a rare long-term record of monarch activity in the heart of their summer breeding range.
The study’s initial hypothesis was that monarchs would arrive earlier due to climate change, mirroring patterns observed in other species. However, the data revealed something unexpected.
The timing of monarch arrival remained consistent from 2003 to 2019, but their fall departure was delayed. By 2019, monarchs were staying at Camp Dodge about nine days longer than they had in 2003, and this has potential risks.
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Western Monarch Butterfly Population Declines to Near Record Low
The 28th annual Western Monarch Count recorded just 9,119 overwintering monarch butterflies in California, the second-lowest population since tracking began in 1997. This marks a sharp decline from over 200,000 observed in recent years and remains far below the stable levels seen in the 1980s. Experts link the drop to extreme weather, drought, habitat loss, and climate change, with recent fires in Los Angeles County further threatening overwintering sites.
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Threat to Federal Agricultural Conservation Funding
The recent federal freeze and increased scrutiny of government contracts has caused a deep level of uncertainty. Wild Farm Alliance—like many organizations—is facing unexpected challenges that could impact our work, including our two federally funded grants.
Additionally, this month we received news that our USDA-funded AmeriCorps program has been terminated, affecting us and 27 other organizations nationwide. This abrupt decision means we are losing two of our three early-career conservationist staff members who have been working hands-on with farmers in California and Minnesota to improve habitat planning, native plantings, and conservation outreach.
This loss is more than just losing staff—it’s a setback for the farmers and communities who relied on our guidance and expertise. Our AmeriCorps Fellows played a vital role in helping farmers adopt sustainable practices that enhance biodiversity and build farm resilience. Their departure leaves a gap that will be felt across the landscapes they served.
Federal funding is the backbone of crucial conservation and food security programs—programs that directly impact farmers, wildlife habitats and local communities. Despite funding challenges, we remain committed to continuing our work. Thank you for your standing with us and thousands of farmers across the country to safeguard our food and agriculture system.
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