We’re excited to open our historic Echo Hill Farm to the public for the very first time to host “The Making of a Meadow for Pollinators”. This Pollinator Month Awareness event, coordinated with the help of Hendersonville Bee City USA, will focus on our efforts to transition our farm to a more ecologically friendly, sustainable, and ultimately more beautiful model.

Join us, and together we will explore our emerging meadow reconstruction, growing more abundant with life every day. We’ll look for natives, and identify problematic invasives.

Meet David Foti of Sandy Bee Mine Honey Company (www.sandybeemine.com) and learn about beekeeping, enjoy a local honey tasting, and see bees in action through a glass-walled exhibition hive!

Say hello to our mischievous little herd of Pygora fiber goats, and see if you can catch a glimpse of our heritage Lincoln Longwool ewes (so sweet, but very shy). Echoview Fiber Mill (www.echoviewnc.com) will be joining us for the day to showcase their fine clothing, yarn, accessories and gifts. We’ve admired Echoview Fiber Mill’s philosophy for years and we are thrilled and honored they will be a part of this awareness event.

In the New York Times Bestseller, Nature’s Best Hope, renowned entomologist, ecologist and conservationist, Douglas Tallamy challenges all of us to realize that conservation starts in your own yard. We’ll explore some ideas with the help of Snow Creek Landscaping. Snow Creek is on the cutting edge of green landscape and design here in Western North Carolina. Tim Boone, President of Snow Creek, has been recognized by documentarian Catherine Zimmerman of The Meadow Project (www.themeadowproject.com). Tim’s knowledge of native pants and ecosystems stems from his childhood, growing up right here in the mountains.

Screenings of Catherine’s documentary, Hometown Habitat – Stories of Bringing Nature Home, will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and the sweet harmonies of local musicians Sunlight Drive Acoustic Duo will keep us all singing from 11 s.m.to 2 p.m.

We’re thrilled with the level of response to this event and we’ll continue to expand the scope as best we can accommodate, but for now, let me just say thank you to The Meadow Project, Sandy Bee Mine Honey Company, Echoview Fiber Mill, Bullington Gardens, Bee City USA, Bridgeside Books, HomeSource Builders, eARThly Minds Gallery, Brew Naturals Elderberry Syrup, Imladris Farm, Sunlight Drive Acoustic Duo, HomeTrust Bank, VETS- Veterans Engaging Through Service, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers in Partnership, and all our friends and volunteers.

See you all in the meadow!