If you want more money, beauty, and farms, plant wildflowers

The environmental story is not as black-and-white as activists have made it seem. Adding just one strip of wildflowers to your farm or property this year can change everything.

As I finished reading one of the many environmental awareness books I purchased from a bookstore near my apartment last year, I stared out the window, feeling pessimistic - like all hope was lost. At least that’s what these books made me feel. Without dramatic, overreaching coordinated efforts, we’d all die soon.

I am not exaggerating when I say that’s what these people put into their books.

I stared out the window, thinking to myself, “Surely not all hope is lost. Right?” There have been so many points in history when all hope felt lost, and yet, the good guys soldiered on. They defied the odds. What the ‘experts’ claimed was impossible, indeed, became possible.

I don’t blame humans for erring on the side of pessimism when it comes to big picture problems. In fact, we biologically can’t help it - if we perceive something to be bad, our brains allocate more energy to it as a means of protection. It’s how we’ve survived for thousands of years.

But with something as big, complicated, and ever-changing as the environment, slapping one massive pessimistic viewpoint onto its outcome isn’t helping anyone. In fact, I’d argue it’s disenfranchising so many from trying. What’s the point, right? If we’re all going to be underwater by 2030, why do anything at all?

I have read enough books at this point to have my own perspective when it comes to this problem. And I am here to tell you it’s going to be a breath of fresh air because my perspective is a positive one. Allow me to explain.

The environment will be saved by tiny, mundane actions

I started losing trust in modern environmentalists when I read a chapter on ‘geoengineering’ last year. It’s the idea of using technology to purposely intervene in Mother Nature’s natural cycles, weather, and climate patterns to produce different outcomes. People are already doing this in the form of weather modification. I really lost it when I read about some scientists trying to find ways to rebound the sun’s light back into the atmosphere.

How could preventing sunlight from reaching our crops, humans, and animals go wrong?? (this is sarcasm)

Of course, I thought to myself, these hot-shots with millions upon millions of state funding behind them are complicating the solution here. If they told us it’s as simple as planting flowers and trees, they’d be out of jobs. Fear-mongering keeps their studies funded.

And no hate to scientists or science in general. I actually consider myself a scientist of some sorts, always conducting my own experiences on myself and my properties.

But I had a realization: the answer to saving the environment is more obvious than we realize. It’s simply living the way we did before the arrival of the Industrial Revolution.

In fact, it’s planting a patch of wildflowers at your property, or on your balcony, or on your roof. Some farms around the country have begun experimenting with planting strips of wildflowers on perimeters of their properties or fields. What they’ve discovered is astounding.

Wildflowers improve farming yields

The farmers discovered wildflowers attract beneficial pollinators. Once the pollinators drop in for a little wildflower snack, they linger at the farm, pollinating the crops more effectively. Additionally, the wildflowers lure pests away from the profitable crops as a distraction.

The benefits were immeasurable. The farmers also noticed:

• by luring pests away from their crops, they reduced their reliance on pesticides

• the wildflowers improved the health of their soil, resulting in larger yields

• the presence of the flowers increased the overall plant and animal biodiversity at the farm

• the flowers prevented erosion and flooding in the fields

• wildflowers displaced invasive species that sometimes attract pests

• and, the flowers themselves added beauty, color, and texture to the fabric of the farm

Don’t write-off ‘good-looks’ before you think about the implications of adding beauty to something. I think about this a lot. Modern city planning, architecture, and fashion are anything but beautiful - it’s dystopian, cheap, and devoid of color. It’s an assault on what it means to be human.

We’ve traded every color of the rainbow for an over-watered lawn of just one shade of green.

By adding beauty to the farms, not only does it make the quality of life for the farmer and workers better, but it makes the farm more appreciated by locals. If locals are more plugged into the farm and proud of it, they’re more likely to support it and shop at it.

And something else unexpectedly happens…

Flowers are beautiful to photograph. People want to be around them. They want to smell them. They want to eat a picnic next to them. They want to film them for their Instagram. They are willing to TRAVEL to experience the fields of flowers.

Once that happens, the farm can now engage in agrotourism.

Farms can supplement their yearly income by charging a fee allowing the public to walk their flower fields.

According to the USDA, in 2022, farms generated $1.26. billion from agrotourism, a 12.4% increase from 2017. It’s no secret that making it as a farmer in our country is challenging. Why not make that challenge a little easier by charging a one-time or monthly fee to visitors who want to bask in the beauty of your farm? Think smarter, not harder! This is one of those times where living with cellphones and technology might not be so bad - people WILL pay to experience the flowers for a social media photo.

The flower revolution

If you’re thinking to yourself: I am sold on this, Alex. But I have no money right now. I can’t afford to do this.

There are organizations way ahead of you. These are organizations that are actually taking action to save the planet. A simple Google search tells me that UDig NY, Find a Bee, Just Bee Honey, and seed banks can get you started. If none of that works, call your local USDA office (we have the Cornell Co-op in my state as well - you probably have an equivalent in your state). Ask about getting started with this. They WILL help you. I know this because I have called these offices many times!

One packet of wildflower seeds can change everything. You can find many for less than $2-$5 in local garden stores or on Amazon as well. I also give out free wildflower seeds at my farm stand to help with this movement. My farm stand will be back open by April 1, 2025 (if not sooner - stay tuned for updates).

I would love nothing more for you to tag me in your wildflower process, whether it’s on here, Instagram, Youtube, you name it.

You can bet I am going to be outside every single day, starting in March, planting as many wildflowers as my little fingers can muster - with no tractor. We can do this. Wildflowers are the gateway to changing everything. From there, add a tree or two (trees are one of the most effective ways to lower the global temperature). But, I understand this can seem daunting, so let’s start with flowers for this year.

Imagine a world where on your drive to work, you pass dozens of wildflower strips, patches, and fields, your eyes feasting on so many different colors, hues, and textures, with sweet smells wafting in and out of your vehicle as you roll down the window.

We CAN have this!

If you’re considering farming, homesteading, or urban farming, throw some wildflowers into the mix. They will change the game for you in so many ways.

I cover starting a farm with no idea what I am doing, making money as a first-gen farmer, land loans, conservationism, working with the USDA, Amish culture, and more here. There is so much to come - follow along!