b"Texas' only Harvestersof Native Little Bluestem PrairiesCritically imperiled grasslands FRESH MILKWEED SEED READY FOR 2024 MIGRATION100%P uren ativeS We work hard to prevent contamination of our seeds. When we receive that seal of approval, we lifes dormant energy know that our part to prevent spreading alien species across the land has been done. Long ago, we dedicated our work to restoringIntegrity of our seeds comes from the100% Pure Little Bluestem once dominated our tall grass prairies fromNatives Onlythat we grow. Its how we manage integrity in relationships between people, land, water and plants. Work and life have always beenweeds on our farm. It comes from closely Canada to Mexico. But almost everywhere that could be about connections of all kinds.For Wildlife Valuation, Little Bluestem qualifies as food and plowed has been plowed. Texas, the largest prairie state, hasevaluating the integrity of our conservancy prairie the least acres conserved. Besides a few refuges, current-dayharvest sites. Working on lands that have never habitat. The seeds are nutritious for goldfinch, quail, dove, and Pushin' over 40 years in this work. Sifting thru lifesbeen plowed requires a high level of mutual sightings still find it growing on thin, infertile, highly erodiblemany mammals. Excellent ground-nesting cover for prairie essence embedded in this thing called The Seedrespect, stewardship and a sharp eye on details of birds, mammals and larval food source for butterflies. soils.surviving harsh conditions with good land stewardshipthe smallest particles. Our equipment is kept clean Test. Tests are absolutely basic, essential rules, practices. Sadly, in many regions, 'Lil Blu' is almost gone.to protect these rare lands from contamination. We modern numerical measurements of quality andDpak $12 / 200 sq ft $27 / lbLittle Bluestem was once so important for forage, the USDA health. Seed Tests shine light onto the viability ofnever use our farm equipment, harvesters or seed For the Landscape, Little Bluestem can be grown from seed.Plant Materials Centers developed several 'improved' seeds.cleaning equipment to process alien species. Being a well-behaved 1 to 4' clump grass makes it ideal forselections called cultivars, mostly taken from northern and mid We know by heart the discipline required to make We test every lot of seed. western prairies decades ago. Agronomists targeted selections blue-green spring color. Later in the growing season, with noan honorable harvest.mowing and blessed mid-summer rains .seeds begin to form.with highest forage production. After years of refinement and By autumn, rich bronze stems with frost-white, fuzzy, dewprocessing of cultivars and certified seeds, many naturally glistened seeds sparkling at sunrise helps us to remember whyoccurring genetic adaptations are intentionally bred out to Comanches fought so hard for this land. Howling cold northerscontrol uniformity. eventually blow seeds to the winds.where ground nestingIf local adaptability to changing environmental conditions over quail, meadowlarks or grasshopper sparrows forage for food.time is important to you .consider planting diverse Native, For Ag producers, 'Lil Blu' greens up a month earlier thanNon-certified seeds. Usually the best adapted seeds are alien coastal bermuda and provides excellent grazing untilnatives harvested reasonably close to the planting site with no maturity. Native hay meadows are low-input. 'Lil Blu' doessupplemental breeding or trait selecting. How close? How everDpak $14 / 200 sq ft $29 / lbnot like petro-fertilizers. Good stewardship includes managedfar a buffalo can run. grazing, no late haying or short summer mowings, and a prescribed burn plan. Little Bluestem prairies can lastWhat is a Native Anyway?see centerfoldperpetually. 66n ativEa MEricanS EEd 800 728 404366n ativEa MEricanS EEd 800 728 4043"