James River Soil Conservation District

06/05/2026

Challenge #5 of the Less Lawn More Life campaign is out and it is great! It's all about invasive species and learning how to control them if needed.
To sign up → lesslawnmorelife.com

06/03/2026

We are behind a little bit - but the Week #4 Less Lawn More Life Challenge is out there - have you checked them out yet?
This week's ACTION: Add a keystone
Add one keystone native tree or shrub to your yard (even a container plant counts!) to create the food web birds and pollinators depend on.

This week's HOST: Andrew Conboy ()
ISA-certified arborist, urban forester, and founder of the Community Canopy Project, an ecological restoration nonprofit in the Philadelphia area. Content creator with 190K followers educating about native plants, trees, and urban ecology.
To sign up → lesslawnmorelife.com And share this with someone who's ready to see a little less lawn and a lot more life!

06/02/2026

Tomorrow is the day - tree sale! Trees are sold on first come, first serve basis - DO NOT call the office - we will not be there and will not be taking messages. Staff will be at the tree shed - 117 West Main, Ellendale. Cash or check - no billing. Most trees are $3/pc and are 12-18 inches. Also would be helpful to bring a garbage bag or bucket for your trees. Hours are 9 am to 3 pm. Spread the word!

05/27/2026

If you are on a waitlist for a particular species, we will be reaching out to you Monday to see if your order can be filled. Species list coming next week!

05/23/2026

Week 3 Challenge: Plant Some Natives
Have you been keeping up with the Less Lawn More Life program? If not, it's super easy - start at Week 1 and you will catch up in no time! Last week we picked a spot. This week, we fill it.
This week's challenge is hosted by Rebecca McMackin, ecological horticulturist and TED speaker. Watch her video below, then follow three simple steps:
1. Find the right plants.
2. Source them. Check a local native plant nursery or ask your neighbors! Rebecca once found pussytoes in a neighbor's lawn and had American Lady butterfly caterpillars on them the very first year.
3. Get them in the ground. Aim for one plant per square foot, and tuck smaller ones like violets in between. You can plant right into turf (just mow first).
Enjoy and stayed tuned for Week 4 info!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DaDiIlaXXIuk%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiUQkKY5TkllK-OoB1x32eJivVE23SkWe_xeezngs8EC6M4xew7lxXOdSXYT_aem_ZpFi-ueHkfhIHng33vx4nw&h=AUApKqvFHFrK8gfCSgOB29FFFp09nYE96-RTuCLCZoJh0G9sA643A_QAIoRFplBCoB3JDHGU_hXOW0l4bRk7g3dmu_e-PHIRXTZIFgcScAXpxcliuWm_BB9y1CdIClmONBSS&__tn__=%2CmH-R&c[0]=AUAM6CClTqtxlfLGF7a2rrO8-Wt3rq_60Y3CvsFS9fgdYR3GSLvt33TmJXV3VQ8la5krMaFEimiMB9YBQ_gFMh504WgxaNkW-WeUsooq4r04NjBypSuzQUlfPm2skU00TWiPzSPLtys0hU1cTlR6pO0EfqRU6crajmn9n-7EUBsf&c[1]=AUAM6CClTqtxlfLGF7a2rrO8-Wt3rq_60Y3CvsFS9fgdYR3GSLvt33TmJXV3VQ8la5krMaFEimiMB9YBQ_gFMh504WgxaNkW-WeUsooq4r04NjBypSuzQUlfPm2skU00TWiPzSPLtys0hU1cTlR6pO0EfqRU6crajmn9n-7EUBsf

This week, ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin walks you through the most important step in the challenge: getting native plants in the ground.Rebecca...

05/20/2026

Our neighboring SCD, the Wild Rice SCD, will be holding a Grazing Logic event in June focused on virtual fencing. Dickey County will be holding one as well in September, focusing on cover crops, livestock, and soil health. Feel free to join one or both! These are amazing events that feature practical information and great speakers!

05/15/2026

Spring is busy - we know - but have you checked out the Less Lawn More Life resources yet? Week 2 in underway - the video is out (under 2 minutes) with the new challenge. Trust us, the challenges are small and easy but the impact can be huge! Join anytime at LessLawnMoreLife.com and work through their program - it's free - it's one email a week! Wildr Places

05/13/2026

Do you have a young person in your operation who is hungry to learn the business side of ranching? 👇
We're talking about the 18 to 25 year olds. The ones already putting in the work, asking good questions, and showing signs that they're in this for the long haul. The ones who could be running this operation someday.

Ranching for Profit for Young Adults is a 3-day intensive designed specifically for the next generation of ranch and farm business owners. It's the same principles that have transformed operations across North America, built for where young adults are right now.
📅
June 22–24, 2026 | Buffalo, WY
We still have seats available and would love to fill them with the right young people. If someone comes to mind: a son, daughter, employee, or neighbor kid who's ready to think differently about the future of agriculture; tag them below or share this post their way.
🤠
Sometimes the best thing you can do for the next generation is put the right tools in their hands early.
👉 ranchingforprofit.com/rfp-session/young-adults-buffalo-wy/

05/07/2026

Here is more info on the kick-off event - starts tonight at 6 pm Central time....

05/06/2026

🌿JOIN THE MOVEMENT: LESS LAWN MORE LIFE 🌿
What if your backyard (or balcony!) was full of birds, butterflies, and life, and getting there took just one small action a week?
This spring we’re joining the FREE Less Lawn More Life Challenge, a 12-week program that guides you through turning your outdoor space into a thriving habitat. No experience needed. No lawn required. Balcony gardens, small plots, and rural acres all count.
The kickoff is a free live virtual event on May 7th at 7pm ET featuring a keynote from Robin Wall Kimmerer, botanist, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, and one of the most celebrated voices weaving together indigenous wisdom and plant science.
Every participant starts with a free Wildr Score, a 5-minute ecological health assessment of their outdoor space. Take it at the start of the challenge. Take it again at the end. Most people are surprised by how much changes.
Sign up → lesslawnmorelife.com And share this with someone who's ready to see a little less lawn and a lot more life!

Be part of a growing movement to transform lawns into life. Join the free 12-week Less Lawn More Life challenge and create a healthier, joyful yard.