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26 2O24–2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S To support those efforts, Pelzl was awarded a grant through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, or EQIP, that is funded by the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture, or USDA. In 2022, her goal was to clear two acres; in 2024, an additional 1.7 acres will need to be cleared in order for Pelzl to receive the full grant. Pelzl said she has appreciated a group of volunteers who have helped clear some of the invasives and shown interest in seeing the farm’s development. “Spending time on the farm gives people the opportunity to peek through a keyhole into what’s going to happen,” Pelzl said. “That’s really exciting to me. That, and the incredible transformation that has hap - pened in the woods.” Pelzl has been clearing space on her property with the intention of creating a silvopasture, which the USDA defines as the integration of grazing pasture with wooded areas. Pelzl said her flock of chickens — just under 180 birds — will help with the removal of invasive species as the chickens move and graze. “That will allow me to establish a native ground cover and native understory,” Pelzl said. “What’s growing back now is spicebush and native viburnum, native dog - wood, and blue ash trees.” Speaking of chickens, after receiving permission from the Yellow Springs Planning Commission, Pelzl has been increasing her flock, culling roosters and determining best practices for her laying hens. “Something that I want to offer to the community is meat from older, retired laying hens,” Pelzl said. “There’s old recipes that use old hens as stock because they have older bones with deeper flavor.” Doing so, Pelzl said, will offer an alternative to the Cornish cross, the breed of chicken typically found in stores. Pelzl said she is ▲ Village of Yellow Springs meter reader Rose Pelzl dropped off bags of flour and sugar to Terry Graham as part of the Village’s annual distribution of the staples to local widows and widowers. The holiday gift was originally stipulated in the will of 19th century local philanthropist Wheeling Gaunt when he donated the land that is now Gaunt Park to the Village. P H O T O : M E G A N B A C H M A N YellowSpringsProperties.com 4486 Indian Ripple Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45440 Sam Eckenrode Lic #SAL.2004018652 937 . 470 . 1867 Realtor ® /Associate Partner CBH International Sterling Society Antioch College alumna and Yellow Springs resident Realtor ® with 19 years sales experience. Locally based, globally connected— let our connections work for you!