Bird and Bee Farm LLC
2022 TEEA Winner - Agriculture
Bird and Bee Farm is a 100-acre conservation project which is returning to its natural setting as a post oak savanna prairie that supports native plants and wildlife, including upland birds and pollinators. To support this project, customers can purchase started pullets, Guinea fowl, and native Rio Grande wild turkeys. Their popularity provides a unique opportunity to bring families from all over Texas to the property to learn how Bird and Bee Farm is improving the environment.
In October 2017, Bird and Bee Farm partnered with the Pastures for Upland Birds Program and Private Land Program (Texas Parks and Wildlife) to oversee the establishment of the native prairie lands. So far the program has converted 67 acres of bermudagrass pasture to a mixture of 39 species of native grasses and wildflowers. In 2018, meetings with El Camino Real Master Naturalists led to the creation of a 10,000 square foot Monarch Butterfly Waystation. In June 2020, 30 breeding pairs of native bobwhite quail were released, with a second release in July 2021.
Soil management, erosion control, native plants for pollinators and wildlife, repurposing litter to amend the soil, eliminating the need for pesticides and fertilizers, reusing cardboard as weed barriers, and repurposing antique equipment are just a few of the conservation efforts that Bird and Bee Farm tries to teach all who visit.