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Habitat for Flying Humanity
While many agriculturalists are getting inundated with countless bulletins, spreadsheets and meetings on what they should be doing to increase production and profits, I find myself simply trying to prosper by creating a diverse farm habitat where nature runs the operation. This idea cascades around the pasture and its fringes of hedgerows, woods, watercourses and wetlands.
The mission statement of Habitat for Humanity is "Seeking to put God’s love into action”. Volunteers build houses that are simple, decent and affordable in which people can live and grow into all that God intended. This passion resonates well on the grasslands front too when building Bluebird houses that are also simple and decent in which our feathered friends can grow into all that God intended.
This time of year is critical in reconnecting with your flying integrated pest managers. As with any springtime activity on the farm, maintenance on your bluebird houses should be a priority. From my vantage point, it seems like a profitable venture as they consume large quantities of destructive insect pests and their beautiful plumage and songs add value in the social sense. These colorful beacons of the pasture are a recognized symbol of cheer and faith. A popular American song of 1934, "Bluebird of Happiness" by Sandor Harmati and Edward Heyman epitomized this sentiment with the lyrics:
Be like I, hold your head up high,
Till you find a bluebird of happiness,
You will find greater peace o
I also recommend Audubons report on NY grassland bird species
Troy- I get paid by NRCS to set aside 30A pasture from Apr thru July for ground nesting birds, which on my farm are mostly Bob-O–Links. I know where they like to go, but 2 yrs ago offered them my recently evacuated winter lot instead so that my cows could graze fresh grass in Bob-O-Link territory. Bad idea. No body came to the party., and me and cows reaped a bumper crop of flies later that summer. So I surrendered and the Bob-oLinks took over again last year. I also find that their nesting grounds provide perfectly fine fall stockpile and the trampled lignin would make you happy too.
Hi Bill,
We’re glad you wrote. Thank you! We’re going to be talking about this NRCS program, and another option from private contributions, in the April 30 issue. It’s great to hear your experience.
Rachel