There is more than one way to ostracize a ground squirrel
One advantage of planting a vineyard out in the sticks (and on a mountain) is that nature helps manage it. The trees provide habitat for beneficial birds and bugs, including this red-shouldered hawk who generously posed for a picture in Michael’s Vineyard yesterday afternoon.
When I pulled into the vineyard, the hawk flew gracefully from the pole we installed for him, and sat on the grapevine to get a better view. He was scouting for ground squirrels and other rodents that damage the vineyard. He solves our rodent problem so we don’t have to use man-made solutions.
This week, other volunteer crew in the vineyard include the sheep mowing the grass, and the turkeys cleaning up harmful bugs. Come by the ranch some time to watch the show!
Christian Ahlmann
4 thoughts on “There is more than one way to ostracize a ground squirrel”
Christian Ahlmann January 23, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Ursula, Thank you for the kind note. We actually do have plans to build accommodations at the ranch now! We are working with a company called Huttopia to build some cabins and fancy tents. If all goes well, we will begin building this year. Stay tuned! Christian
Reply ↓Peter Mitchell lynch October 28, 2016 at 12:15 am
Hello, I am enjoying your newsletter.
I am Mitch a coffee roaster, looking to move into your area next year. My wife and I lived in San Francisco for 20 years, moved to her home in ne Ohio after 911, to roast coffee and fresh pastries in an 1858 bank.
We will be looking to move back and would love to talk. May I send you some fresh roasted coffee?
mitch
I have only been to your little tasting house once and thought then how nice it would be to stay on your property. Following your stories about the vineyards and animals I have that sense of wanting to spend time there more than ever. Are you planning to have a B&B at the Ranch at all? Or is there one close-by?
Dying to enjoy your area for an extended stay some time,
Ursula Jarvis
↓Club Member