Birds | From page 10 National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, which houses the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes and the Smithsonian Center for Conservation Genomics, where Huysman analyzes the field samples she collects. Huysman is a research fellow at VWL and has a strong background in the topic, with degrees in animal science and natural resources from Cornell University and a master’s degree in natural resources and wildlife from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. So far, the results are promising: of the 173 boxes added to the eight farms, 79% were occupied, and these birds often return year after year to the same breeding grounds. CASE STUDY: KINLOCH FARM IN THE PLAINS At Kinloch Farm, a 3,000-acre, family-owned farm since 1960, Huysman’s project fits perfectly into the active conservation and regenerative farming methods that Kinloch has cultivated for many years. Regenerative farming is a practice that focuses on soil health, native plant and animal biodiversity, and clean water sources to build more resilient ecosystems and produce better yields. The approach helps minimize the need for fertilizers and pesticides. “We are always thinking of longevity,” says Farm & Conservation Director Mike Peterson. “We carefully plan what is going to keep this land beautiful and productive for decades, even centuries into the future.” Kinloch Farm raises certified, grass-fed beef and uses adaptive grazing practices to make a tasty product that has a high nutrient composition. Peterson’s team takes a data-driven approach to caring for the land and their livestock; they try different methods, evaluate the outcomes, and refine their actions accordingly. Kinloch maintains multiple partnerships and participates in various scientific projects that help drive the land management and conservation decisions that Peterson and his team make. Peterson plans to continue adding many more nest boxes to the farm after the study concludes this summer. The team is looking to continue a
virtuous cycle that will restore the land as close as possible to its natural state. If Huysman’s theory proves true, the potential benefits to the land, people, and animals abound. The ecosystem becomes more balanced, workers and animals are free from exposure to pesticides, and farmers save money — it’s a winning scenario for the entire system.
To view the 2025 study results for Kinloch Farm, visit kinlochfarm.com/conservation. You can visit the Kinloch Farm Store Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 4559 Old Tavern Road in The Plains, or buy Kinloch’s grass-fed beef and honey online at shop.kinlochfarm.com/products. ML
Left page: An eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) perched on a fence post on a farm in Front Royal, Virginia. Top: Field Technician Nick Garnhart sets up a nest box in a cattle pasture on Kinloch Farm. Left: A nest box at Kinloch Farm in The Plains, Virginia. Middle right: A GPS tag that will be deployed on an eastern bluebird. The GPS tags weigh about 1 gram, lighter than a paper clip. Bottom right: A tree swallow flying outside the nest box in Front Royal, Virginia.
APRIL 2026
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