Author Archives: Biologicalenrichment

Unknown's avatar

About Biologicalenrichment

I started a farm in the early 1980’s called Oikos Tree Crops. It was once a 13 acre pasture and overtime became a forest. Today I am dedicated more than ever to finding, preserving, creating and disseminating a wide variety of food plants. At my farm I explore new plants and healthy ways to raise them. I currently focus my attention on my seed repository while providing seeds and bring these new discoveries to the public at large. My farm is one of the oldest and most diverse maintained tree crop plantings in the U.S. using many plants from around the world as a form of global agroforestry applied at a local level. Every plant grown on my farm is grown from seeds. I use the tree crop philosophy as a means to expand the use of perennial, woody tree and shrub crops raised from seed without the use of chemical and high energy inputs.The two story agriculture is alive and well at Oikos Tree Crops. This blog highlights ecological enrichment as a means to improve human health and raise awareness of the possibilities of creating a healthy earth and a wealthy farmer. My story is told by describing my 50 years of farming and life experiences surrounding agriculture filled with my love of nature and my constant search for a greater diversity beyond the cultivar on a global stage.

Peach Nirvana: Peaches from Pits

The very first peach I had ever seen growing on a tree was from a backyard gardener next to my family home in central Michigan. Peaches were not common there because of the late frosts and cold winters. My neighbor … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration, Miracles of Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Peach Nirvana: Peaches from Pits

Regeneration of the Land

USING THE LAWS OF NATURE FOR MAKING DIVERSITY SPONTANEOUS My 13-acre nursery was a very tiny island amidst the retail oceans of the plant world. I wanted to expand it to larger proportions but that was not possible. I always … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Regeneration of the Land

Peaches From Pits

One of my local customers told me about a peach in his front yard that had a lot of fruit on that he did not want. It was horrible tasting he said and filled with worms. Perfect. I was very … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration, Miracles of Nature | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Peaches From Pits

Diversity Discovered: The Wild Goose Plum

North America is filled with wild plums.There is no shortage nor threat to the wild plum. They can be increased in number very easily. There are seeds available from many seed companies and individuals who love to find them as … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Diversity Discovered: The Wild Goose Plum

Canopy Closure: A Hickory Tree Makes That Happen

The first trees I planted outside of my nursery into the pasture were hickories. It was in the early 80’s that I acquired the property and began my nursery. The snap shot above tells the story. At that time, people … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Canopy Closure: A Hickory Tree Makes That Happen

Explorations of Diversity: The Sloe Plum is Not That Slow

Within the first decade of my tree farm  I planted many wild seedling fruits on my farm. Some of these are the wild crop relatives of sour cherry, sweet cherry, plums and apricots as well as species that are wild … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Explorations of Diversity: The Sloe Plum is Not That Slow

Structure and Function of Future Plants and Forests

One of the the great events of my family farm was the sand mining operations that left two large distinctively different ponds. In the process, it also created a completely different landscape. It was one we fully enjoyed as now … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Structure and Function of Future Plants and Forests

Diversity Explored: The European Chestnut

When I was first introduced to the European chestnut, I found it as a shrubby and stunted tree barely able to cope with Michigan’s cold winters. It was on top of a dune overlooking Lake Michigan near Grand Traverse Bay. … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration, Miracles of Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Diversity Explored: The European Chestnut

Explorations of Fruit Diversity: Black Mulberry

The range of any plant can vary tremendously from high to low elevations, across whole continents not to mention human introductions. With many woody plants, these are not entirely reflected in the selections available in the nursery marketplace. It was … Continue reading

Posted in Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Explorations of Fruit Diversity: Black Mulberry

‘Michigan’ Tree Collard: Annual To Perennial in Nature

If you were to grow broccoli or brussel sprouts you might discover by accident a few plants that resprout from the soil level the following spring. It’s a common experience. It is not a reliable means of propagation waiting to … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity Found, Ecology-Biodiversity-Integration | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘Michigan’ Tree Collard: Annual To Perennial in Nature