Turkey Hill Brook Farm is a small “habitat” farm in the Worcester Hills (88 Wire Village Road in Spencer) that has been landscaped for wildlife and sustainability since 2004. Invasive plants have been strictly controlled, conventional exotic landscaping plants have gradually been replaced with site-appropriate natives, and local native plant communities have been encouraged to make a return.
The farm features several very different habitats (open meadow, woods, pond and stream), each supporting a diversity of adapted plants along with their co-evolved wildlife species. Other areas used for horses, chickens, food production, recreation, and a small native plant nursery are managed with as few outside inputs as possible, with an emphasis on function, aesthetics, and wildlife support. Enjoy an Ecological Landscape Alliance two-hour tour of this peaceful farm on Saturday, July 23 beginning at 10 am, and feel free to bring a picnic to eat lunch afterwards. The site is hilly, so wear good walking shoes.
Ellen W. Sousa owns Turkey Hill Brook Farm, a native plant nursery and habitat farm in Spencer, Massachusetts and is the author of The Green Garden: A New England Guide to Planning, Planting & Maintaining the Eco-friendly Habitat Garden. She provides coaching and design services to clients to guide them in the design and construction of landscapes that support pollinators and biodiversity. Ms. Sousa is also an overseer and instructor for New England Wild Flower Society. $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/wildlife-haven-at-turkey-hill-brook-farm/#sthash.vnH3tmEn.dpuf
