By Rowan O’Connell-Gates, WFA Program Associate

On July 22, WFA staff joined the Regenerative 68! Farm team at the upper edge of their fields in Salinas, California. Farm Manager Jonny Root had prepared the site in advance, leaving two 50-foot elevated soil beds soft and loose for the day’s work. Wild Farm Alliance and Sam Earnshaw of Hedgerows Unlimited had selected 36 native plants from Rana Creek Nursery for a design that incorporated a layering of shorter plants in the front and taller ones in the back.  

Completed planting. Photo Credit: Katie Goode Donaldson

With shovels in hand, the group quickly dug holes across the two berms. Each hole received a shovelful of compost and a bucket of water before a plant was placed and rewatered.

The following week, Jonny and his crew installed drip irrigation and spread mulch across the planting area. The irrigation will carry the plants through their first three years, while the mulch will help the soil retain moisture and manage weeds.

A newly planted Red Flower Currant in front of Regen’s solarization project to reduce weed pressure. 
Photo Credit: Katie Goode Donaldson

This planting is one of nine demonstration hedgerow sites WFA is completing in three other states through our multi-year USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant project. The sites will help WFA test and refine its online beneficial Bird Habitat Assessment and Native Plant Tool, which is being developed to help farmers and conservation planners identify habitat opportunities and select plants that support beneficial birds.

In the seasons ahead, WFA will conduct bird surveys, documenting how these plants become new bird habitat at Regenerate 68! Farm. As they take root, these plantings will welcome visitors to the farm while providing beneficial birds and insects, and other wildlife with flowers, fruit, foliage, and shelter.