Today, we are celebrating a major milestone—after months of planning, the invasive blackberry that had overtaken the land has finally been cleared. Since early summer, we had been preparing for this moment, coordinating with BPA and other stakeholders on the fate of this land. After plans had been set, we needed to wait until we were out of fire season to begin clearing. Now, with the overgrowth removed, we can finally see the land as a blank canvas, ready to be transformed into the thriving farm and ecological sanctuary we’ve envisioned.
For years, the land that will become Arcadia Refuge has sat largely unmanaged, aside from the access road leading to the powerlines. Over time, an invasive blackberry species took hold, transforming the landscape into a dense, thorny, impassable tangle. Before we could begin establishing a farm rooted in regenerative agriculture, we faced an unavoidable first step: clearing the blackberry.
We spent a great deal of time weighing our options. Our primary goal was to prepare the land in a way that aligned with our values—restoring soil health, encouraging biodiversity, and setting the foundation for a resilient ecosystem. One method we refused to consider, despite frequent recommendations, was using chemical herbicides. While it may have been the most convenient option, it runs counter to everything we believe in. Arcadia Refuge is about fostering life, not harming it. We also considered goats, which may become part of our long-term blackberry management plan in the future, but the timing simply wasn't right to employ goats on this massive of a scale.
Instead, BPA’s team stepped in with mechanical clearing, using a bobcat to remove the overgrowth in a single afternoon. As a nature lover, watching this process was difficult. Seeing the landscape so drastically altered in such a short time was a stark reminder of how fragile and easily transformed nature can be. The brambles, though invasive, had become a habitat—one that we were dismantling. Bunnies ran from the quickly vanishing brambles and took refuge in our yard and the park across the street. It wasn’t easy to witness. However, I am confident we are making a step in the right direction.
What looks like bare, disturbed earth now will soon be the foundation for something much greater. This is not destruction for the sake of control but rather a transition—a clearing to make way for the return of diverse, thriving life. By choosing regenerative methods moving forward, we can ensure that this space becomes not just productive but ecologically vibrant once again.
This is just the beginning of our journey. For the winter, the shredded blackberry bramble will serve as a thick mulch over the soil. The next steps involve soil rehabilitation, cover cropping, and careful planning to bring this land back into balance. As we move forward, we will do our best to honor this space, ensuring that every choice we make contributes to a healthier, more resilient landscape.
A blank canvas can be intimidating, even to a skillful artist. But with our mission and principals as guiding lights, it makes us excited to get to work.
Thank you for following along as we take these first steps. I hope that in time, Arcadia Refuge will stand as proof that we can restore and heal the land while growing food in a way that nurtures both people and nature.
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