Edge of the Farm Conservation Area

Edge of the Farm Conservation Area (EFCA) is a place where dreams are made. Dr. Hays Cummins was busy cutting through the jungle of honeysuckle that lurked behind his house when suddenly he found himself in a site fit for wetlands and prairies. He told his wife, Dr. Donna McCollum, about his idea and she saw her chance to practice what she preached as a Stream Ecologist and protect the riparian areas from tons of nutrient load from the farms surrounding their property.

In December 2007, EFCA was placed in a conservation easement with Three Valley Conservation Trust. With the aid of Pheasants Forever, JF New, and US Fish and Wildlife, EFCA was born. It currently contains 32 acres with five wetlands, 11 acres of prairies, and 21 acres of luscious woods. With the help of 100s of students from Hays' Restoration Ecology class and a service fraternity, most of EFCA is honeysuckle-free but there is still lots of work to be done, especially on the 9 acres that were added in January 2013.

Hays and Donna welcome visitors of all ages. Please contact them at mccollds@miamioh.edu or cumminrh@miamioh.edu before you come since this is a private residence and the only entrance is currently their driveway. Their dogs, Spidey and Cooper, will happily welcome you upon your arrival!