Longview Alive! Week 11
Longview Farm | A look at the Past, Present and Future of our Earth-Centered Initiatives
Welcome to Longview Alive, my name is Aaron and along with my cohost Jessi we want to share some interesting things happening around the farm this week.
Section 1.
As an Environmental Project Manager, I find many opportunities to discuss topics pertaining to land use and its management. This includes returning habitats to their previous state through invasive species removal. It also involves the development and maintenance of our trail systems. -Aaron Brown
Invasive Removal
Much of my week was spent conserving the grass fields adjacent to the barn. This plot of land had become overpopulated by Sweet Gum saplings and thick patches of Poison Ivy. With a bit of physical labor and the proper use of herbicides, I was able to significantly reduce the presence of both.
Trail Clearing
The remainder of the week had me clearing downed trees from a recent storm and placing fresh wood chips at several trailheads to enhancing the curb appeal. At Longview Farm, safety is a priority for those who hike our trail system. By eliminating any potential tripping hazards and removing encroaching branches, we provide a worry-free environment for our visitors.
Plan your Visit
In the coming weeks, we will be providing a map of the trail system that you can use on your next visit. There may even be a virtual hike in the future, available for those not physically able to walk the trails. Our goal is to create programs that reflect our community values. Now is the time to make your voice to be heard.
Section 2.
Cohost, Jessi Stead, started Longview Alive! to share her wonder as a novice nature lover. Just 11 episodes in, it is clear that this series will grow into so much more. Join Jessi as she shares her vision for her family farm and the positive impact, she hopes to make on the wildlife that also calls the Longview Farm home.
Back in the garden - and beyond
| Your host, jessistead
Back in the garden I discovered that pepper plants are fruiting, and the green tomatoes keep multiplying.
I am most proud of the pumpkin and cantaloupe plants I grew from seeds. There are no fruits yet, but they are making their way.
Leave a comment if you can help identify any of these plant species for me:
At this Time Last Year | August 2024
who is behind our land initiatives here are the farm has been documenting our journey as we started to envision and take steps forward in establishing our family farm since 2023. Here’s a snippet from his journal, State of the Farm:
August 2024
We had our first forestry visit with John Nissen. We walked the property with John, sharing our vision and goals for the property as they pertain to use and conservation. John’s knowledge of the various state and federal programs designed to help landowners and farmers was impressive! The acronyms and program names came to him as easily as did the native and invasive species of plants he pointed out to us as we walked through the fields and woodland. During our meeting, John advised us that we would need a farm number to get started with program applications and he planned to return with a representative from the USDA Field Service Agency to discuss the conservation programs Longview Farm would be eligible for.
Following John’s visit, we made our fist contact with the USDA Farm Service Agency in for Chester County and confirmed that Longview had a previously assigned farm number, which enables us to apply for federal funding to support conservation efforts.
State of the Farm | Ricky Eller
Building up HUMAN | ART | EARTH
LA! is an Earth initiative under the 3 core values behind everything we do on the farm to care for our fellow Humans, celebrate their accomplishments in the Arts, and protect the Earth we all live on.
Our goal for Longview Alive! thru the rest of 2025 is to introduce you to more of the wonderful projects we have going on here on the farm, tell you how we got here and tell you where we are going. We hope you enjoy the ride as much as we do!
Thank you! to all of our Longview Alivers! -those of you who are following along with this series, commenting and engaging with our posts, attending our outdoor workshops, and supporting us when you buy merch from the gallery shop.
There are many new ways to engage with us in the works so stick around for more announcements.
Until next time, stay alive and visit Longview Farm!
Produced by Longview Farm for visitlongviewfarm.com
Written by Aaron Brown, Jessi Stead
Photography by Aaron Brown, Jessi Stead
State of the Farm quote provided by Ricky Eller