Our Impact
Restoration on Our Farms
Over two decades, we’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in restoring more than 300 acres of oak, prairie and wetland habitat on our farms. Projects like the Jefferson Farm Oak and Prairie Habitat Restoration, which focused on restoring and enhancing 135 acres of critically imperiled native Willamette Valley habitat, have taught us valuable lessons about what works in restoration and what doesn’t. Through our Heritage Seedlings Jefferson Farm Conservation Easement, we’ve protected 230 acres of restored oak and prairie in perpetuity, contributing to over 4,000 acres of protected land near Salem.
The transformation of our farms has been remarkable to witness. Areas that were once degraded farmland now support thriving native plant communities, with seasonal wildflower displays that attract diverse pollinators and wildlife. Our riparian areas have improved water quality and soil stability, while the oak woodlands and prairies have become productive ecosystems that support the full web of native species they were meant to sustain. These restored habitats have not only enhanced the ecological value of our properties but also demonstrated the potential for agricultural lands to contribute meaningfully to regional biodiversity conservation.
Conservation of At- Risk Species
Our restoration work has created habitat that supports at-risk species including the acorn woodpecker, Lewis’s woodpecker, western meadowlark, and Fender’s blue butterfly, while helping establish populations of threatened plant species such as Willamette Valley larkspur, Kincaid’s lupine, Willamette daisy, Bradshaw’s lomatium, and Nelson’s checkermallow. Working with these species has deepened our understanding of their habitat needs and propagation requirements.
Our work has earned recognition as an Oregon Flagship Farm through the Oregon Bee Project for providing exceptional pollinator habitat and safe pesticide practices. Research conducted by Stephanie Hazen in 2019 documented an abundance of native bee genera in our seed production areas—formerly degraded agricultural land. Through our participation in the Oregon Bee Atlas, we contribute data that advances statewide pollinator conservation efforts.