Agraria_Journal_Summer_2022

42 AGRARIA JOURNAL 2022 NEW OFFICE SPACE FOR AGRARIA Agraria now has offices in two locations: on the farm and in Yellow Springs. It became clear last year that the farm alone could not accommodate our growing staff and expanded programming. We were bursting at the seams. Our newest office space solves that problem and also allows for continued growth. It is located on the second floor of the former Kettering building, which is owned by Antioch College. Agraria shares the building with WYSO public radio (91.3 FM), which has its studio and offices on the first floor. The new office space is home to Agraria’s administrative team as well as development, marketing, media, and event management teams. The Farm and Education teams as well as the office manager remain at the farm. RESEARCH Agraria is partnering once again on a sweet potato research project with Central State University researcher Marcus Nagle, assistant professor of horticulture. The research explores the ability of various sweet potato accessions provided by the USDA germplasm to survive and produce in colder climates. It also compares the performance of accessions in high tunnel v. outdoor plots. Sweet potatoes are a cash crop that is not commonly grown in Ohio because the climate is considered too cold. The goal of the research is to make recommendations about varieties that are suited to the regional climate and the feasibility of using high tunnels for sweet potato production. This will help expand the options for food crops available to farmers and gardeners in our region. Another CSU research project is starting to bear fruit on Agraria. Winecap mushrooms (King Stropharia Rugosoannulata) began fruiting in early May in beds installed by Agraria staff, volunteers, and CSU Extension educator Marc Amante in collaboration with assistant professor Craig Schluttenhofer, Ph.D. The project is exploring the use of hemp straw as a substrate for growing the mushrooms, which are edible and sought after by chefs and gourmands. As an added benefit they help support plant and soil health. The research will look at how long it takes to fruit, how long they last, viability, timing of yield, and productivity. Banatka, Caucus Rouge, Black Emmer, and Turkey Red. These are a few of the ancient heritage grains that will be harvested this year in Agraria’s perennial garden. They were planted last year in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance and Antioch College coop professor Beth Bridgeman. The project involves trials of different varieties of heritage grains with the goal of increasing heritage grain cultivation and availability in the region. The objective is also to preserve genetic diversity in grain crops by growing and sharing seeds, allowing genetically rich groups of ancient grains to continue to live, breathe, and grow in our changing climate. AMY HARPER Winecap mushrooms AMY HARPER Agraria staff, CSU researcher Marcus Nagle, and CSU student Titus Lockhart planted a new crop of sweet potatoes on Agraria. JACOBY CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT Trees came down early this spring all along Jacoby Creek and its tributaries, making way for the The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to begin the long-awaited stream and wetland restoration project on Agraria. Planning for the project began soon after the purchase of Agraria, in 2017. The major work of remeandering Jacoby Creek and restoring health to its tributaries began June 6 and will continue throughout the summer. All the trees taken down in the spring will be used in the restoration to create healthy habitat in the stream beds. Restoration and rehabilitation of the surrounding wetlands will take place at the same time. TNC contracted with Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC), a Dayton-based firm, to carry out the work. The restored area — 60 acres in all — with be planted with native trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses. That along with 20 acres of adjoining farmland is protected by a permanent conservation easement that will be monitored by the Tecumseh Land Trust, which partnered with Agraria and TNC on this project. AMY HARPER