Eric Wolske
@currantjams.bsky.social
Tree crop agroecologist from Champaign. Interests: currants, booze crops, drones, and data.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
France plans to spend $150 million to rip out grape vines due to wine industry woes from increasing heat, drought, etc
Yet planting rows of trees around vines can drought- & heat-proof them while keeping production up w/o irrigation
I reported about this #agroforestry solution in southern France:
Yet planting rows of trees around vines can drought- & heat-proof them while keeping production up w/o irrigation
I reported about this #agroforestry solution in southern France:
Better wines among the pines: Agroforestry can climate-proof grapes, French researchers show
MONTPELLIER, France — As the world warms due to climate change, winemakers are struggling to maintain the quality of their product. But in the home of wine, agroforestry researchers are showing that g...
news.mongabay.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
France plans to spend $150 million to rip out grape vines due to wine industry woes from increasing heat, drought, etc
Yet planting rows of trees around vines can drought- & heat-proof them while keeping production up w/o irrigation
I reported about this #agroforestry solution in southern France:
Yet planting rows of trees around vines can drought- & heat-proof them while keeping production up w/o irrigation
I reported about this #agroforestry solution in southern France:
Reposted by Eric Wolske
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
October 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
Reposted by Eric Wolske
“I think we're still trying to fully understand — or better understand — what role drones play, especially in sustainable agriculture." -José Franco, Savanna Institute
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Farming from the air: Drones offer flexibility and problem solving
Aerial crop planting and treatment takes off across the Midwest.
www.kbia.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“I think we're still trying to fully understand — or better understand — what role drones play, especially in sustainable agriculture." -José Franco, Savanna Institute
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Learn how we're using drones to estimate yields and biomass in this story by @kbianews.bsky.social
www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Drought continues to expand/worsen across Illinois. The latest update shows widespread D2 severe drought across central Illinois, with D3 extreme drought across portions of east-central Illinois.
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Drought continues to expand/worsen across Illinois. The latest update shows widespread D2 severe drought across central Illinois, with D3 extreme drought across portions of east-central Illinois.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
CORN-ADO CHASING! It was another hot, sunny day with record heat in the Midwest, ripe for dust devils. During the harvest season when cornbelt dust devils fill with corn stalks, I call them corn-adoes! Got my drone into a few of them today.
October 4, 2025 at 1:29 AM
CORN-ADO CHASING! It was another hot, sunny day with record heat in the Midwest, ripe for dust devils. During the harvest season when cornbelt dust devils fill with corn stalks, I call them corn-adoes! Got my drone into a few of them today.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
A seed-dispersal masterclass from 50 yards of hedge
September 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
A seed-dispersal masterclass from 50 yards of hedge
Reposted by Eric Wolske
What the folks who are telling you how much daylight we're losing these days don't want you to know is that in just 11 weeks the days start getting longer again.
October 1, 2025 at 1:38 PM
What the folks who are telling you how much daylight we're losing these days don't want you to know is that in just 11 weeks the days start getting longer again.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Reposted by Eric Wolske
A point that we apparently need to be more clear about in agriculture: uniformity in a planting means it's less labor-intensive to maintain and harvest. Yes, a large field of one crop looks unnatural, but it can be harvested with a crew of 5-6 people (or fewer!) rather than needing the whole town.
April 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A point that we apparently need to be more clear about in agriculture: uniformity in a planting means it's less labor-intensive to maintain and harvest. Yes, a large field of one crop looks unnatural, but it can be harvested with a crew of 5-6 people (or fewer!) rather than needing the whole town.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
"It’s a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by more trees than people." - Yo Yo Ma.
Antonio Stradivarius made Yo Yo Ma's cello* in 1712 using spruce from the Val di Fiemme forest in Italy. This important tonewood forest is now threatened by climate change.
*not the cello in the picture.
Antonio Stradivarius made Yo Yo Ma's cello* in 1712 using spruce from the Val di Fiemme forest in Italy. This important tonewood forest is now threatened by climate change.
*not the cello in the picture.
April 4, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"It’s a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by more trees than people." - Yo Yo Ma.
Antonio Stradivarius made Yo Yo Ma's cello* in 1712 using spruce from the Val di Fiemme forest in Italy. This important tonewood forest is now threatened by climate change.
*not the cello in the picture.
Antonio Stradivarius made Yo Yo Ma's cello* in 1712 using spruce from the Val di Fiemme forest in Italy. This important tonewood forest is now threatened by climate change.
*not the cello in the picture.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Why do #agroforestry? Additional income, higher yields, healthier livestock, more abundant wildlife, reduced labor, improved quality of life, and opportunities for leaving a legacy are just some of the reasons why these experienced farmers are incorporating trees and woody shrubs into their farms.
April 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Why do #agroforestry? Additional income, higher yields, healthier livestock, more abundant wildlife, reduced labor, improved quality of life, and opportunities for leaving a legacy are just some of the reasons why these experienced farmers are incorporating trees and woody shrubs into their farms.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
High winds are blowing dust and debris from empty fields across east-west roads in central Illinois today. This is a little corridor on Monticello Road along the Champaign-Pitt County border.
March 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
High winds are blowing dust and debris from empty fields across east-west roads in central Illinois today. This is a little corridor on Monticello Road along the Champaign-Pitt County border.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos, is an abundant Bluegrass tree with stem thorns - the thornless ornamental is from wild trees found in Wisconsin. The species name triacanthos refers to the 3-branched young thorns. The legumes contain sweet gum, hence the name honeylocust (Thanks Questella).
March 27, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Honeylocust, Gleditsia triacanthos, is an abundant Bluegrass tree with stem thorns - the thornless ornamental is from wild trees found in Wisconsin. The species name triacanthos refers to the 3-branched young thorns. The legumes contain sweet gum, hence the name honeylocust (Thanks Questella).
Reposted by Eric Wolske
“ Some say we search for meaning in natural patterns because we want to find it there. Fair enough. But, sometimes we find meaning just the same. And maybe finding meaning is the whole point.”
lennywellswords.com/2025/03/27/o...
lennywellswords.com/2025/03/27/o...
On The Meaning of Nature’s Patterns and Orchard Design
“Everyone wishes a measure of mystery in their life that they have done nothing in particular to deserve.”—-Jim Harrison How much do you think we, as human beings, really know or are capable …
lennywellswords.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:20 AM
“ Some say we search for meaning in natural patterns because we want to find it there. Fair enough. But, sometimes we find meaning just the same. And maybe finding meaning is the whole point.”
lennywellswords.com/2025/03/27/o...
lennywellswords.com/2025/03/27/o...
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Lots and lots of dust being wrapped into the surface low over the Midwest today.
Once again being sourced from the Southern High Plains of New Mexico and west Texas, sucked into the region by strong southwesterly flow feeding into the rapidly intensifying storm system.
Once again being sourced from the Southern High Plains of New Mexico and west Texas, sucked into the region by strong southwesterly flow feeding into the rapidly intensifying storm system.
March 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Lots and lots of dust being wrapped into the surface low over the Midwest today.
Once again being sourced from the Southern High Plains of New Mexico and west Texas, sucked into the region by strong southwesterly flow feeding into the rapidly intensifying storm system.
Once again being sourced from the Southern High Plains of New Mexico and west Texas, sucked into the region by strong southwesterly flow feeding into the rapidly intensifying storm system.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Oh hey here's a relevant thing to post: I am going to be talking about persimmons and persimmon breeding at the Michigan Nut and Fruit Growers spring meeting next month! They're also doing a scion swap and an auction to benefit the club.
Michigan Nut and Fruit Growers Association (MNFGA)
Exploring nuts, tree fruits, and uncommon fruits in Michigan
michigannut.org
March 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Oh hey here's a relevant thing to post: I am going to be talking about persimmons and persimmon breeding at the Michigan Nut and Fruit Growers spring meeting next month! They're also doing a scion swap and an auction to benefit the club.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Research scientist Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social demonstrates how elderberry juice can be used as a pH indicator.
You can learn more about #elderberry, a native, nutrient-rich fruit, and other deep-rooted perennial crops at www.savannainstitute.org/crops/
You can learn more about #elderberry, a native, nutrient-rich fruit, and other deep-rooted perennial crops at www.savannainstitute.org/crops/
March 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Research scientist Lily Hislop @currantlylily.bsky.social demonstrates how elderberry juice can be used as a pH indicator.
You can learn more about #elderberry, a native, nutrient-rich fruit, and other deep-rooted perennial crops at www.savannainstitute.org/crops/
You can learn more about #elderberry, a native, nutrient-rich fruit, and other deep-rooted perennial crops at www.savannainstitute.org/crops/
Reposted by Eric Wolske
How a Little Village farm is reviving prairie land in Chicago: buff.ly/Oca8lpX
March 18, 2025 at 1:00 AM
How a Little Village farm is reviving prairie land in Chicago: buff.ly/Oca8lpX
Reposted by Eric Wolske
I just learned about this today! Windy City Farms, an urban farming project with multiple farms on the S & W side of Chicago are growing native plants for seeds! They train local folks & formerly incarcerated folks on how to garden to build skills to start their own growing efforts
How a Little Village farm is reviving prairie land in Chicago: buff.ly/Oca8lpX
March 18, 2025 at 1:20 AM
I just learned about this today! Windy City Farms, an urban farming project with multiple farms on the S & W side of Chicago are growing native plants for seeds! They train local folks & formerly incarcerated folks on how to garden to build skills to start their own growing efforts
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Is agroforestry increasing in the US? A new pub reviews the #agroforestry results of the 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture, finding an overall increase in farms reporting agroforestry practices.
Details at: doi.org/10.1007/s104...
Details at: doi.org/10.1007/s104...
March 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Is agroforestry increasing in the US? A new pub reviews the #agroforestry results of the 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture, finding an overall increase in farms reporting agroforestry practices.
Details at: doi.org/10.1007/s104...
Details at: doi.org/10.1007/s104...
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Totally agree with @davegoulson.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
here obviously.
A fabulous insect group with extraordinary skills, diversity, importance in our ecosystem and food, and also very beautiful.. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
here obviously.
A fabulous insect group with extraordinary skills, diversity, importance in our ecosystem and food, and also very beautiful.. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘About time they got some credit’: why hoverflies are an underappreciated insect
Prof Dave Goulson is one of the world’s foremost experts on insects. But there’s a special place in his heart for hoverflies, one of the prettiest flies around. Here he explains why we should nominate...
www.theguardian.com
March 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Totally agree with @davegoulson.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
here obviously.
A fabulous insect group with extraordinary skills, diversity, importance in our ecosystem and food, and also very beautiful.. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
here obviously.
A fabulous insect group with extraordinary skills, diversity, importance in our ecosystem and food, and also very beautiful.. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Agroforestry-an agricultural system. Trees provide diverse benefits, income, resilience,+ sustainability-agroforestry must follow sound agricultural principles: max farm income, enhance sustainability Good agroforestry isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about planning systems that work 4 farmers
February 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Agroforestry-an agricultural system. Trees provide diverse benefits, income, resilience,+ sustainability-agroforestry must follow sound agricultural principles: max farm income, enhance sustainability Good agroforestry isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about planning systems that work 4 farmers
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Where can #agroforestry adoption have the greatest impact in the US Midwest? University of Illinois researcher Sarah Castle and collaborators (including Savanna Institute researchers) are featured on @earthdotcom.bsky.social for agroforestry suitability mapping: www.earth.com/news/agrofor...
Agroforestry could transform farming in the Midwest
Agroforestry is reshaping Midwest farming with mapped strategies for sustainability, carbon storage, and profitability.
www.earth.com
February 24, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Where can #agroforestry adoption have the greatest impact in the US Midwest? University of Illinois researcher Sarah Castle and collaborators (including Savanna Institute researchers) are featured on @earthdotcom.bsky.social for agroforestry suitability mapping: www.earth.com/news/agrofor...
Reposted by Eric Wolske
“You are not authorized to access this page”. - the US government.
Climate Smart Commodities website going dark is very bad news for many good folks doing the work to advance resilient food systems in the USA.
Climate Smart Commodities website going dark is very bad news for many good folks doing the work to advance resilient food systems in the USA.
www.usda.gov
January 31, 2025 at 11:05 PM
“You are not authorized to access this page”. - the US government.
Climate Smart Commodities website going dark is very bad news for many good folks doing the work to advance resilient food systems in the USA.
Climate Smart Commodities website going dark is very bad news for many good folks doing the work to advance resilient food systems in the USA.
Reposted by Eric Wolske
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa! There’s a new native tree nursery that’s open for preorders. Apparently they’re working with agroforestry nonprofit @savannainstitute.bsky.social
www.canopynursery.com
www.canopynursery.com
January 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa! There’s a new native tree nursery that’s open for preorders. Apparently they’re working with agroforestry nonprofit @savannainstitute.bsky.social
www.canopynursery.com
www.canopynursery.com