Flora & Flerd 

Heralded by budding greenery and the arrival of new life, the Midwest’s growing season is officially underway. While daffodils and early spring ephemerals bloom in the Gardens, a growing conservation team, paw-sitively adorable love story, and native plant species bloom for the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture (MCRA) at Powell Gardens.  

Check out updates from the team below.

Growing the Conservation Team

The MCRA is happy to announce the addition of another apprentice who will participate in both animal care for conservation grazing initiatives and overall land restoration. 

Alongside human employees, the MCRA’s animal employees participated in a successful merger between the sheep flock and cattle herd. This department, now affectionally known as the “flerd” (flock + herd), will continue restoring soil health, clearing the land of invasive species, and revitalizing the grassland mosaic on display at Powell Gardens.  

Conservation grazing is an important aspect of the regenerative agriculture model. When used correctly, it can create a diverse wildlife habitat, especially for the fastest-declining bird species group—the grassland birds. The “flerd” and pigs are strategically rotated around the acres of Powell Gardens’ property not currently used by the botanical garden. This acreage is certified by the National Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Initiative.  

A Powell Gardens Meet Cute

The MCRA’s two guardian dogs, Nellie and Luke, experienced an enemies-to-lovers tale straight from the pages of a romance novel. While initially wary of each other, their first date became a resounding success. Their daily tasks now include long walks on patrol as they manage the “flerd”, frequent dinner dates, and plenty of snuggles.  

Guardian dogs are the unsung heroes of the MCRA’s regenerative agriculture model. They’re tasked with protecting livestock and ensuring they can peacefully complete their conservation tasks. This practice dates back thousands of years and continues to be an important agricultural partnership.  

Cultivating Native Plants & Trees

As part of the MCRA’s agroforestry initiative, several plantings of elderberry and persimmon trees alongside asparagus occurred in the land adjacent to the main entrance off Highway 50. Fruit- and nut-bearing trees need time to establish roots, mature, and feel confident in their environment before they start producing. Oftentimes, this can take months to years depending on weather and pollination cycles. For example, the elderberry trees are expected to produce their eponymous fruits in about two years.  

In addition to these plantings, native trees, flowers, and grass seeds for plugs and pots are busy growing in Powell Gardens’ production greenhouses until they’re ready for planting. These plants will be used to add diversity to the various habitats on the Powell Gardens property as well as to other projects around the Kansas City metro.    

Double the Impact

Funded by the Matthew Zell Family Foundation, the MCRA, in partnership with Good Oak, will continue clearing invasive species and creating healthy savanna habitats across the Powell Gardens property. As woody invasive species are removed, native grass and wildflower seeding will begin, building a habitat for wildlife and additional foraging for the animals.  

For more information about how you can double your impact on regenerative agriculture, visit powellgardens.org/midwest-center and click “Donate”. This dollar-for-dollar match is made possible by the Matthew Zell Family Foundation. 

Trailblazing with the National Audubon Society

The National Audubon Society requested the MCRA develop the National Audubon Society’s standards for bird-friendly sheep ranching. The MCRA, alongside Good Oak, are honored to receive this request as our initiatives are recognized as both a regional hub for education and regenerative agriculture models.   

The MCRA sheep are experts at munching on invasive species, such as sericea lespedeza. Each animal in the MCRA conservation grazing program plays a role in cutting back invasives to make way for native grasses and plants to flourish. The MCRA is an excellent model on how these animals and plants can coexist to rebuild natural habitats and our iconic Midwest landscape. 

Once the sheep guidelines are approved, ranches across the nation will have the ability to develop management plans that incorporate sheep into conservation grazing that promote healthy bird habitats.  

Looking Ahead

The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens will continue restoring our landscape using time-tested agricultural practices and educating future generations about sustainable land stewardship.  

In the future, Powell Gardens will launch the Regenerative Agriculture Learning Laboratory, utilizing our wide-open spaces for visitor education on the principles of regenerative agriculture with hands-on learning. 

Launching during Festival of Butterflies, step into the world of bees with a brand-new glass beehive in the Education Building. This installation was made possible by funding from KFC’s Kentucky Fried Wishes grant and is perfect for visitors to learn more about bees as crucial pollinators as well as see these industrious creatures in action.  

For more MCRA updates, check out Powell Gardens’ blog and follow us on social media!