Capability Farm

04/24/2026

04/24/2026

Migrating willets were spotted on Capability Farm yesterday. This is a new sighting on the farm! These migratory shorebirds typically stay further west. Spring and all its wonders have arrived!

02/28/2026

3 people. Perfect weather conditions. Great land management with breaks and water features. ~50 acres in the controlled burn today.

And deafening spring peepers!

10/06/2025

Thanks to Southeastern Indiana REMC for this feature! There is something new to enjoy every day on the farm.

09/14/2025

A Bob-white quail with a bevy of hatchlings popped out from a field on Capability Farm in mid-August. This shows why it’s important not to mow too early. What a cool sight!

05/16/2025

Sometimes you are so proud that words are hard to choose. These two, my parents, are visionaries. Respected professionals in their primary fields, they didn’t slow down during retirement. They lovingly nurtured and transformed this land.

But this isn’t just land, it’s our home. It is the anchor of our family. It is the core memories of cattle, horses, hayfields, crops and now the explosion of insects, birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians. It is the topic of phone calls and texts. First hummingbird! Six monarchs hatched today! Looks like the weather will be good to burn this weekend! Amazing group of birders from around the world visited today! We’re going to add another frog pond!

All because of the vision of 2 people.

03/09/2025

The weather in February didn’t cooperate, but we can’t complain about today’s prescribed burn of approximately 40 acres. Added bonus, Meredith was home to help. Martin houses are also up and ready for the spring.

03/02/2025

A welcome sign of spring! A spotted salamander under a thin sheet of ice this morning.

06/10/2024

Up to seven fritillary butterflies at a time were enjoying this orange butterfly w**d on a beautiful sunny morning on Capability Farm.

03/01/2024

Leap Year Day – a good time for a short post about what’s happening at Capability Farm.
Morning chilly at 24 degrees but beautiful sunshine. Good day for some early spring chores on the farm. Ellen and I planted a forb (wildflower) mixture on a barren eighth acre spot and are anxious to watch the area come to life. Also planted a few small areas of white clover near the shelters and food plots which will be excellent wildlife food and good for the pollinators.

We numbered the recently cleaned out bluebird nesting boxes – we have 20 – and are already noticing bluebirds checking out the possibilities.

Cautiously approaching a small pond east of the house we heard spring peepers calling in the middle of the day as we looked for wood ducks usually seen there. Approximately 10 wood ducks flushed; they are very skittish and quickly fly if they detect movement. Wood duck are beautiful - the males being resplendent in their breeding plumage right now.

Each day brings new joy as spring awakens with new sights following the winter rest.