Renowned writer William Least Heat Moon once described prairie as a misunderstood and unappreciated ecosystem. He also labeled it “the center of our national identity.”

It is understandably difficult for contemporary Americans to appreciate the aesthetic and biological values of this vital and defining landscape because Least Heat Moon’s so-called “national identity” is nearly extinct.

That unfortunate characterization –nearly extinct- especially applies to tallgrass prairie. Over 99% of the original tallgrass prairie has been plowed and is now cultivated farmland.

America’s tallgrass prairie once extended across the Midwest from what is now the eastern Dakotas to Ohio, and covered most of what we now call the corn belt. It was a vast, prodigious ecosystem that greeted our country’s earliest settlers journeying westward. It dominated what has become the middle of our nation.

Stands of native grass could be impassable, higher than a human, and once mantled the land so densely it appeared as if a beautifully patterned abstract painting had been stretched to the horizon.

Categorizing a landscape as being nearly extinct is a tragic pronouncement, but in the case of tallgrass prairie it is, unfortunately, an accurate one.

Restoring and preserving tallgrass prairie is also bold and ambitious, but at EcoSun Prairie Farm we view this undertaking as essential. Our philosophy is to put prairie to work in order to preserve and protect it.

This underappreciated and misunderstood landscape has mostly been eliminated in order to grow other plants. We are proving that native perennial prairie plants have worthwhile, commercial value, and that growing native prairie plants is better for the natural environment than growing those plants that replaced native prairie, such as corn and soybeans.

We agree with Least Heat Moon that prairie is an important part of our national identity. That’s one reason it is important to restore tallgrass prairie. And that’s what we’re doing at EcoSun farm.

On Friday, August 3rd, starting at 1:00, we are hosting a tour of EcoSun Prairie Farm. You’re invited to visit and learn what we do to restore and expand tallgrass prairie. We will present a variety of speakers, including marketing experts relevant to the products we produce to earn money at our grass farm.

EcoSun farm is located near Colman, South Dakota, about midway between Brookings and Sioux Falls.

To find the farm from Interstate 29, take Exit 114, the Flandreau exit. Travel west on 230^th Street for about 3.5 miles (2 miles past the junction with Highway 77) to 469^th Avenue. Signs will direct you the remainder of the way. Parking areas will be marked.

We hope to see you at EcoSun farm on Friday.

 One of the most noticeable features of EcoSun farm is the diverse natural sounds that fill the air.  Before we grassed down this land and restored its 30 ponds and sloughs this place was mostly quiet, and the function of what grew here –corn and soybeans- kept things that way.  But now the sounds of many birds, insects and amphibians can be almost deafening. It’s exactly how a healthy prairie should sound. There’s an almost magical musical soundtrack to the work and research that happens here. It’s hard not to stop doing what you’re doing and try to comprehend and identify the incredible variety of natural sounds you hear. Farm manager Craig Novotny has reported that the populations of amphibians on the farm are truly impressive. He was especially excited about the large number of frog species.  Other visitors excitedly talk about the bird life found on the farm. One species that is prospering is the Bobolink, and their healthy numbers on our prairie farm reflect a healthy landscape. A recent bird survey revealed what we already know: Bird life is abundant on the prairie farm.

Here’s an update on the upcoming prairie farm tour.  We will host this tour on August 3^rd, starting at 1 pm.  One of the featured discussion points of the tour will be how we are earning income on the prairie farm, including a look at the three primary income streams –hay, beef and seeds- that we pursue. 

We’ll include more information about the tour next week, including directions.

By Peter Carrels, EcoSun Marketing and Outreach Manager

 EcoSun Prairie Farm has multi-dimensional objectives, including profitability and sustainability of natural resources. The genuine pursuit of accomplishing these objectives is what makes our farm so special.  We are completely dedicated to protecting the natural characteristics of land and water resources while generating a reasonable income from growing, utilizing and harvesting plants that benefit our society. Ours is an ecological approach to agriculture. This is the foundation of our farming philosophy and our approach to stewardship. 

Sustainability is more than a catch-word or slogan at EcoSun Prairie Farms. Our team embraces the challenges of land restoration and growing useful plants that yield a profit, but with minimal environmental impacts.  Our exceptional products –including high-quality hay, seed, and lean, healthy beef- are the result of our belief that healthy land produces healthy food and a healthy future.

We do not envision our style of farming as one that remains relegated to a small niche.  Our goal is to continually prove our relevance and place in the farming community and to expand our idea to other farms in our region. We invite inquiries and welcome the chance to discuss what we’re doing.  On August 3, 2012 starting at 1:00 pm we host a tour of our farm.  We are located near Colman, South Dakota, and we would love to show you what we’re up to.  We’ll provide more information and directions soon. In the meantime, mark your calendar. We look forward to sharing our story with you.