Farming with Nature: Regenerative and Sustainable Horticulture!  

Can a farm entirely rely on beneficial insects and birds for pest control? How does a farm balance food and flower production with insect conservation?  What can you do to build habitat and diversify the plants, insects, and bird life in your green space? 

Join Renee Clayton, of Wild Scallions Farm, for a discussion of what regenerative farming looks like on a local vegetable, fruit, and cut-flower farm with a focus on insect conservation!   

Renee Clayton has been farming, along with her husband Matt, at Wild Scallions Farm for the last twenty years. Over that time, they have been working to create a stable farm ecosystem, build topsoil, and documenting insect life as a metric of farm diversity and health. You can find their flowers and produce every week at the Durham Farmers market. 

Wild Scallions Farm is located in southern Person County near the top of Mount Tirzah. Their 40 acre farm includes two acres of cultivated vegetable and flower plots, several berry patches, a small orchard, pasture raised laying hens, and retired dairy goats. Renee has observed 49 different species of bees on the property.   

Everything from their hillside farm is sustainably grown, mostly on small plots on the flattest spots. Wild Scallions Farm’s practices include: improving the soil by planting cover crops, rotating crops, providing habitat for beneficial insects and birds, using surface water for irrigation, and limiting tilling. They try to maximize compatibility of myriad fields; i.e., planting wet-loving plants like irises in perennially wet plots. They only apply natural soil amendments including compost, feather meal, and wood ashes. They control weeds and pests mainly by mulching, hoeing, and hand-picking those worms (which the chickens love). Three generations now help bring produce to market from our farm.   

Wild Scallions Farm

Durham Farmers Market

July 12 starting at 10 am in the Main Library Auditorium located at 300 North Roxboro Street in Durham.  

Due to high demand for Durham Grown: the Durham County Library Garden Club programs seating is first come first serve. Registration is encouraged in order to receive an email reminder about the event and cancellation link if you are unable to attend. Registration does not hold a seat or guarantee a seat.       

Parking is available in the library parking lot or at the North Queen Street Garage located at 115 North Queen Street which is directly across the street from the library behind the apartments under construction.   

Questions? Email mkoslofsky@dconc.gov