Native Pollinator Habitat Program

White Feather Farm is proud to announce our Native Pollinator Habitat Program, an ecological restoration initiative supported by a grant from Partners for Climate Action. This comprehensive project aims to transform 1.16 acres of underutilized land across our 66-acre certified organic farm into thriving native pollinator habitats.

Running from March 2025 through November 2025, this initiative addresses the challenges of invasive species spread, soil compaction, and loss of native habitat through organic, low-plastic methodology. As a case study in sustainable habitat restoration, our approach demonstrates how agricultural spaces can support biodiversity while engaging visitors in ecological stewardship.

Project Sites

Our restoration work spans five distinct zones, each with unique challenges and restoration strategies:

  • (26,000 sq.ft.) A dynamic native pollinator meadow featuring plants of varied heights and bloom times will create a self-sustaining ecosystem on this large plot. Mowed paths and interpretive signage will guide visitors through the landscape, making it both an ecological resource and an outdoor classroom. The meadow will include native species suitable for cut flowers, herbal harvests, and natural dye production.


  • (6,250 sq.ft.) This inner fence line area will transform invasive mugwort and non-native grasses into a diverse pollinator blend that supports our orchard's productivity.


  • (4,500 sq.ft.) Along our front fence line, we'll replace invasive honeysuckle, non-native shrubs, and compacted lawn with pollinator islands featuring native herbaceous plants and pollinator-friendly shrubs that provide habitat and create a natural sound barrier.

  • (24,00 sq.ft.) This demonstration area will showcase how homeowners can convert conventional lawns into beautiful, low-maintenance native habitat. Using accessible tools and techniques, we'll replace non-native turf grass with native species including Viola, Fragaria, Carex pennsylvanica, and Sysyrhichium angustifolium.


  • (1,850 sq.ft.) This strategic border will demonstrate organic methods for suppressing invasive mugwort while creating a protective buffer for our adjacent marsh area with native pollinator plants.


  • (9,500 sq.ft.) This innovative integration of pollinator habitat with our beehives and rice paddies will showcase the synergy between ecological restoration and regenerative farming practices.barrier.

Research Focus

The Native Pollinator Habitat Program serves as a living laboratory for several research initiatives:

  1. Organic Mugwort Mitigation: Testing and documenting various organic methods for controlling this persistent invasive species.

  2. Biochar Application: Exploring the use of biochar as a climate-smart tool in invasive species management and soil carbon sequestration.

  3. Lawn-to-Pollinator Conversion Protocol: Developing and refining a step-by-step process that homeowners and small landholders can replicate.

  4. Native Perennials as Cut Flower Production: Assessing the economic viability of native pollinator plants as a sustainable source for cut flower operations.

  5. Pollinator Habitat Establishment Metrics: Documenting establishment success rates and ecological impact of various native plant communities.

Follow our progress through regular updates, photo documentation, and educational content as we transform these spaces from ecological challenges into biodiversity hotspots.

Project Team

This initiative is led by our experienced farm staff:

  • Celia Fay Brubaker (Farm Manager + Creative Director)

  • Kris Garnier (Lead Gardener & Flower Field Manager)

  • Marcos Stafne, PhD (Executive Director)

With support from technical consultants and our dedicated farm team.

Community Engagement

We invite our community to engage with this project through:

  • Volunteering opportunities

  • Educational workshops

  • Community science events

  • Documentation and storytelling initiatives

  • Farm tours featuring our restoration sites

For more information about getting involved with the Native Pollinator Habitat Program, please contact Executive Director, Marcos Stafne at:

marcos@whitefeatherfarm.org

The Native Pollinator Habitat Program is made possible through generous funding from Partners for Climate Action's Ecological Restoration Grant Fund.