Teaching The Ways Of Nature
"In Our Work, We will Learn And Teach The Ways Of Nature"
At TROO, we believe nature is the greatest teacher. Every part of our farm is a classroom—where soil, plants, animals, and people all work together in harmony. Our approach blends biodynamic principles, organic practices, and hands-on observation to create a healthy farm ecosystem that sustains itself year after year.
Perennial Flower Beds & Natural Pest Control
Instead of turning to chemicals, we invite nature to do the work. Our perennial flower beds attract beneficial insects and pollinators, while natural predators keep harmful pests in balance. This creates an environment where crops thrive the way nature intended.
Let's Dig A Little Deeper Into Our Perennial Beds
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed brings a splash of bright orange to our perennial beds while working hard for the land. It feeds bees and butterflies—especially monarchs—and its deep roots keep the soil strong through drought. Beautiful, resilient, and essential, it’s a pollinator’s best friend.
Pollinator Magnet – Butterfly weed attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that help ensure our orchard blossoms turn into fruit.
Monarch Ally – As a type of milkweed, it provides food and habitat for monarch butterflies, a species in decline across North America.
Low Maintenance, High Reward – Deep roots make butterfly weed drought-resistant, while also helping to prevent soil erosion and improve soil health.
Natural Pest Balance – By drawing in pollinators and beneficial insects, butterfly weed indirectly reduces the impact of harmful pests on our crops.
Echinacea
Known for its striking purple petals and sturdy cone-shaped centers, echinacea (or purple coneflower) is a staple in our perennial beds. This native wildflower is not only beautiful but also deeply beneficial to the ecosystem. Long celebrated in herbal traditions for its healing properties, echinacea continues to serve as a vital plant for both people and pollinators.
Pollinator Haven – Its nectar-rich blooms draw in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, keeping the pollination cycle strong throughout summer.
Long Bloom Season – Flowering for weeks on end, echinacea provides a steady food source when other plants fade.
Resilient Roots – With a deep taproot system, it improves soil health, prevents erosion, and stands strong in drought.
Wildlife Friendly – When the blooms dry, the seed heads feed goldfinches and other songbirds, extending its benefits beyond the growing season.
Prairie Parsley
Some plants may look modest, but their role in the ecosystem is anything but small. Prairie parsley, with its delicate umbels of yellow-green flowers, is one of those quiet workers in our perennial beds that brings strength and diversity to the farm.
Pollinator Support – Its clusters of blooms attract a wide variety of native bees, flies, and butterflies, ensuring steady pollination for the plants around it.
Predator Attraction – Prairie parsley is especially valuable for drawing in beneficial wasps and predatory insects that help keep harmful pests in check.
Soil Stability – With strong taproots, it anchors soil, prevents erosion, and contributes to a resilient perennial system.
Native Strength – Hardy and well-adapted to the region, it thrives without chemicals or extra care, showing the resilience of native species.
Rattlesnake Master
In our perennial beds, every plant has a purpose. Rattlesnake master, with its spiky blue-green leaves and globe-shaped blooms, is one of the unsung heroes of the pollinator world. Though its name is fierce, this native prairie plant is gentle on the land and essential for biodiversity.
Pollinator Powerhouse – Its unusual, thistle-like flowers draw in a wide range of pollinators—especially wasps, native bees, and butterflies—that help protect our orchard and crops.
Beneficial Insect Magnet – By attracting predatory wasps and other insect allies, rattlesnake master helps keep pest populations in check naturally.
Soil Builder – With deep prairie roots, it improves soil structure, prevents erosion, and adds resilience to our perennial beds.
Tough & Hardy – Naturally drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, it thrives without extra care, showing how native plants support sustainable farming.
Tansy
With its clusters of bright yellow button-like flowers, tansy brings a splash of color and a strong dose of natural protection to our perennial beds. Once prized in traditional medicine and folk gardens, tansy has long been known as a hardy companion plant that supports the balance of the farm.
Natural Pest Deterrent – Its strong scent helps repel harmful insects while still supporting pollinators that find value in its blooms.
Beneficial Insect Ally – Tansy attracts predators like ladybugs and lacewings that keep pest populations under control.
Soil Friend – As a perennial with deep roots, it helps stabilize the soil and contributes to a resilient growing system.
Low Maintenance – Hardy and drought-tolerant, it thrives with little care, making it a reliable partner in a diverse farm ecosystem.
Meet Our Beneficial Insect Friends
Asian Lady Beetle
Small but mighty, the Asian lady beetle is one of the most effective natural pest controllers in our fields and orchards. Recognizable by its spotted shell, this beetle is always on the hunt—feeding on insects that can damage crops and trees.
Natural Pest Control – A single beetle can eat dozens of aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied pests in a day, keeping harmful populations in check without chemicals.
Reduces Sprays – By relying on these beetles, we use fewer inputs and allow nature to balance itself.
Healthy Ecosystem – Lady beetles contribute to a thriving orchard by protecting young leaves, buds, and fruit from damage.
Education in Action – Watching these beetles at work is a simple way to see how beneficial bugs play a role in organic farming.
Bees
From buzzing among apple blossoms to weaving through our perennial beds, bees are at the heart of life on the farm. Their tireless work ensures that flowers turn into fruit, and their presence signals a healthy, thriving ecosystem.
Pollination Power – Bees are responsible for pollinating the majority of our orchard blossoms, directly impacting the size and quality of the harvest.
Biodiversity Boost – By pollinating wildflowers and cover crops, they support the broader ecosystem and create food sources for other wildlife.
Indicator of Health – Strong bee populations reflect clean soil, safe plants, and a balanced environment without harmful chemicals.
Teaching Moment – Bees show how every creature, no matter how small, plays a critical role in farming and in the cycle of life.
Butterflies
From orchard blossoms to wildflowers in our perennial beds, butterflies drift gracefully across the farm, carrying pollen wherever they go. Their beauty is undeniable, but their role in sustaining the land is even more important.
Pollination in Motion – As butterflies feed, they transfer pollen between flowers, helping fruit, herbs, and native plants flourish.
Support for Monarchs – Plants like butterfly weed and milkweed provide food and habitat for monarchs, a species in need of care.
Health Check – Butterflies thrive only in clean, balanced environments—making them a natural sign that our farm ecosystem is strong.
Inspiring Curiosity – Their colors and gentle movements spark wonder, especially for children, offering an easy way to teach pollination and migration.
Butterflies
From orchard blossoms to wildflowers in our perennial beds, butterflies drift gracefully across the farm, carrying pollen wherever they go. Their beauty is undeniable, but their role in sustaining the land is even more important.
Pollination in Motion – As butterflies feed, they transfer pollen between flowers, helping fruit, herbs, and native plants flourish.
Support for Monarchs – Plants like butterfly weed and milkweed provide food and habitat for monarchs, a species in need of care.
Health Check – Butterflies thrive only in clean, balanced environments—making them a natural sign that our farm ecosystem is strong.
Inspiring Curiosity – Their colors and gentle movements spark wonder, especially for children, offering an easy way to teach pollination and migration.
Butterflies
From orchard blossoms to wildflowers in our perennial beds, butterflies drift gracefully across the farm, carrying pollen wherever they go. Their beauty is undeniable, but their role in sustaining the land is even more important.
Pollination in Motion – As butterflies feed, they transfer pollen between flowers, helping fruit, herbs, and native plants flourish.
Support for Monarchs – Plants like butterfly weed and milkweed provide food and habitat for monarchs, a species in need of care.
Health Check – Butterflies thrive only in clean, balanced environments—making them a natural sign that our farm ecosystem is strong.
Inspiring Curiosity – Their colors and gentle movements spark wonder, especially for children, offering an easy way to teach pollination and migration.
Lace Wing
With their delicate, lacy wings and golden eyes, lacewings may look fragile, but they are fierce defenders of crops and orchards. Their larvae, often called “aphid lions,” are among the most effective natural pest controllers we rely on.
Aphid Control – Lacewing larvae devour aphids, mites, and other destructive pests, protecting tender leaves and fruit.
Chemical-Free Protection – By eating harmful insects, they reduce the need for sprays and keep the orchard naturally balanced.
Pollination Support – Adult lacewings also feed on nectar and pollen, adding to pollination efforts in perennial beds.
Education in Action – Lacewings show how even the smallest creatures can be mighty allies in organic farming.
Parasitic Wasp
Though rarely noticed, parasitic wasps are some of the hardest-working allies in our orchard. Tiny and unassuming, they lay their eggs inside or on pest insects, stopping damage before it begins.
Targeted Pest Control – These wasps naturally control pests like caterpillars, aphids, and beetle larvae by using them as hosts.
Safe & Specific – Unlike broad sprays, parasitic wasps only affect harmful insects, leaving pollinators and other beneficials unharmed.
Population Balance – By quietly reducing pest numbers, they help maintain a healthy balance in the orchard ecosystem.
Teaching Moment – They reveal the unseen ways nature keeps order, reminding us that every creature has a role to play.
Feed The Soil & The Soil Feeds You
We care for the soil as much as the crops. By adding green manure, animal manure, compost, and cover crops, we enrich the ground with organic matter, prevent erosion, and strengthen the living foundation of our farm. Each layer returns nutrients to the earth, building a healthier soil that sustains strong plants, flavorful harvests, and a thriving ecosystem. Healthy soil means healthy food.
Resistant Apple Varieties
Our orchard is home to 13 unique apple varieties originally developed at the University of Georgia. These apples are naturally resistant to scab and fungal diseases, meaning they flourish without chemical sprays. The result is fruit that’s better for the land, for you, and for generations to come.
Feed The Soil & The Soil Feeds You
We care for the soil as much as the crops. By adding green manure, animal manure, compost, and cover crops, we enrich the ground with organic matter, prevent erosion, and strengthen the living foundation of our farm. Each layer returns nutrients to the earth, building a healthier soil that sustains strong plants, flavorful harvests, and a thriving ecosystem. Healthy soil means healthy food.
Resistant Apple Varieties
Our orchard is home to 13 unique apple varieties originally developed at the University of Georgia. These apples are naturally resistant to scab and fungal diseases, meaning they flourish without chemical sprays. The result is fruit that’s better for the land, for you, and for generations to come.
Animals As Parners
Every animal has a job to do here:
Pigs rub up against trees, knocking insect larvae to the ground.
Chickens follow, eating up those insects before they can do harm.
Horses, affectionately called our “four-legged lawnmowers” by Faye, keep grasses trimmed while enriching the soil.
Cows graze across the orchard and pastures, nourishing the land with their manure while helping manage vegetation.
Together, our animals act as natural pest control, lawnmowers, and living tillers. As they graze and roam, they stomp and aerate the soil, doing the work of a tractor without the fuel. This not only keeps the ground healthy and alive, but also means less equipment use, less pollution, and a cleaner, safer environment for the plants, animals, and our TROO Crew.
TROO Learning Starts In Nature
We share these practices with visitors, students, and families because we believe farming is about more than food. It’s about understanding the rhythms of the natural world. At TROO, we’re not just growing produce; we’re growing knowledge, stewardship, and connection.
Join Us For A Tour
We welcome you to see these practices in action. Our private tours offer a closer look at our orchard, animals, and unique growing methods, while our educational tours are tailored for schools and groups, giving students a hands-on experience with farming and a free bag of apples to take home. Both options include tastings of our fresh-pressed cider and homemade jams and jellies. Because we believe the best way to learn is through all the senses.
Educational Tours
Perfect for schools and learning groups, our educational tours offer students a hands-on look at organic, biodynamic farming in action. From perennial beds to pigs, chickens, cows, and horses, kids discover how every part of the farm works together. Each student also receives a free bag of apples to take home.
Private Tours
Step off the beaten path and experience the farm at your own pace. Our 30-minute private tours take you through the orchard, flower beds, and animal pastures with plenty of time for questions. Tours include a complimentary tasting of fresh-pressed cider and homemade jams and jellies. The only cost is a $50 patronage at The Farm Market.