Sharon Township farm to be featured on Conserved Farm Tour
Historical photo of Doll Farm in Sharon Township. Photo courtesy of Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission.
by Sara Swanson
What does a sixth-generation family farm have to do with wildlife habitat, clean water and the future of Washtenaw County’s landscape? Participants can explore that connection firsthand during the Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour on Saturday, October 10, from 9am to 12:30pm. This event will showcase two neighboring farms while highlighting the important role that farmland conservation plays in protecting the county’s agricultural heritage, natural resources and rural landscapes.
The tour begins at Doll Farm in Sylvan Township from 9am to 10:30am, where participants will learn about the farm’s poultry operation and tour its facilities. The group will then travel to Irwin Farm in Sharon Township from 11am to 12:30pm to learn about its conventional crop operation and explore the property.
In addition to visiting the farms, participants will have the opportunity to hike through natural landscapes that are otherwise unavailable to the public, including a prairie fen and tamarack swamp—increasingly rare ecosystems that provide important habitat for wildlife.
Ann Ziolkowski, Communications Manager for Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission states, “The tour will explore how protecting these two farms contributes to a larger vision of connected greenways that support wildlife, improve water quality and strengthen the connections between agricultural lands and natural areas. Participants will also learn about Washtenaw County’s rich agricultural heritage and the community’s efforts to protect these important landscapes as development pressure continues to grow.”
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Participants should wear appropriate footwear and be prepared for walking on natural terrain.
The event is free but registration is required. Register for the Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour at https://washtenawcd.org/ (click on “events” and scroll down to “Washtenaw Conserved Farm Tour“.
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