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American Climate Partners SoilKeepers

Biogenicals Field Trials 2022 Underway

We formulate our own all natural pasture and turfgrass amendments at Historic Rapidan Mill, Rapidan, VA. We call these Biogenicals and are a blend of naturally occurring compounds designed to maximize the health of ecolawn vegetation. Evaluation of our products and services is continuous. Our interests include impact on soil carbon, water holding capacity, greenhouse […]

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American Climate Partners SoilKeepers

(More) Sustainable Lawn Care: Leaves… Good For Your Lawn?

In short, it is not good for leaves to be left to sit after they fall on a lawn… that is, if you would like to continue to have a lawn of grass. If left alone, leaves will mat on top of the grass, cutting out your lawn’s access to sunlight and air, and quickly […]

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Rapidan Institute SoilKeepers Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

Building Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs)

Beaver dam analogs, also known as BDAs, are man-made structures built out of wood and other natural resources designed to replicate the form and function of beaver dams. ACP began working on BDAs this year with the intent to help restore freshwater ecosystems and make possible habitats more suitable for beavers. Being that BDAs are […]

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Rapidan Institute SoilKeepers Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

Gordonsville Pollinator and Quail Quilt Project

The Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative, a sector of the Center, is working with residents of Gordonsville, VA to develop pollinator and quail corridors through neighboring land parcels. These corridors are simply designated areas on the owner’s land that we work with to promote an environment that is as close to its natural state as much […]

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SoilKeepers Uncategorized Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

Late Summer Hedgerow Quail and Pollinator Habitat Pictures

We are big fans of wild Senna, Oxeye Sunflower, Mountain Mint, and native warm season grasses in these situations where we are trying to feather out savanna from a tree field border to provide food and homes for pollinators and grassland birds. A few pictures from a large project North of Charlottesville.

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SoilKeepers

Fauquier Hunt Country, Virginia Eco-lawn

To be a true eco-lawn in most areas of Virginia we believe a blend of legume and grass is needed, along with healthy soil biology. Several varieties of fescue with a few varieties of clover works great. Depending on the situation – a 70/30% blend respectively. To get the system where the vegetation-soil organisms are […]

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American Climate Partners SoilKeepers Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

SoilKeepers set to become a for profit company and acquire Neuhauser Hay

Later this year, the Center will reformat the landscape contracting program, SoilKeepers, to a for profit company and acquire Orange, VA hay and feed producer Neuhauser Hay. The business focus of the new entity is Estate and Farm Regenerative Landscape Management. The new enterprise will be jointly owned by the Center Board of Directors and […]

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SoilKeepers

Soil Nematodes and Biodiversity

SoilKeepers provides Regenerative Landscape Management to Estates and Farm Clients in Virginia. People ask what is regenerative landscaping? To us this means the reawakening of soil organisms that can continuously regenerate with little to no human intervention and provide all or most of the nutrients plants need to thrive. To the public we say this […]

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SoilKeepers Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

Mowing for Biodiversity

The Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative in 2021 is offering a new service – large lot mowing for health of people and pollinators. This practically means having the people and equipment to mow grasslands from 5 to 50 inches high in zones around a house. In some small areas this includes the use of, yes, we […]

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SoilKeepers Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative

On Burning Central Virginia Lawns and Field Grasslands for Site Preparation and Biodiversity

What can be so hard about burning grasslands? Well in our experience a lot. There is the heat and there is the smoke. Both are useful. How much heat do you need? For how long? How much risk are you comfortable with? We have come to the place where we work with our friends at […]