PROGRAMS :: Farmscaping for Conservation and On-Farm Benefits

Flowering native shrubs form a hedgerow next to a perennial grass buffer, that is growing at the edge of agricultural fields on High Ground Organic Farm in Watsonville, California. (Photo by Sam Earnshaw)

CAFF’s farmscaping programs assists growers and ranchers to plan and install hedgerows and other conservation plantings. This section of CAFF’s Web site has relevant lists to help plan your project including: regionally appropriate plants to use, native plant nurseries, plants that attract beneficial insects, and consultants/contractors specializing in hedgerow and other restoration projects.

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers has been increasing farm biodiversity with native plant hedgerow projects in the Central Coast, North Coast and San Joaquin Valley regions since 2001.

• Farmscaping with Native Plant Hedgerows
• Increasing Farm Biodiversity
• Hedgerow Manual & Resource Guide
• Projects & Partners

Program Goals

• Reduction of sedimentation transport by using vegetative buffers to slow agricultural run-off into streams and waterways.
• Reduction of stream and waterway nutrient loading by increasing nutrient uptake with native plant hedgerows and buffer strips.
• Reduction of pesticide use by increasing beneficial insect populations with flowering hedgerows and increasing reliance on biological pest control methods.
• Increase overall ecological diversity by improving habitat for plant and animal species.

Resources

• Hedgerows for California Agriculture (pdf) This manual will help you choose and care for regionally appropriate plants that attract beneficial insects and prevent erosion. It lists native plant nurseries and consultants/contractors specializing in hedgerow and other restoration projects.

• Biodiversity: What it is, and How to increase it on your farm (pdf)
  Brochure developed by the Wild Farm Alliance and CAFF defines Biodiversity
  as it relates to agriculture, and describes specific practices that farmers can implement to conserve biodiversity on their farms. On most farms, opportunities exist to accommodate habitat, native species and the larger landscape with few changes. Resources and cost-share opportunities listed.

• Hedgerow Brochure (pdf): A short guide to hedgerow design,installation,and maintenance. Prepared by the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County and CAFF.

For more information, contact:

Mark Cady
Phone: (530) 756-8518 Ext: 20
mark@caff.org

Sam Earnshaw
(831) 722-5556
sambo@cruzio.com

Amy Kaplan
(831) 761-8507
amy@caff.org