13 "Winter is Coming - Our Farm - 40 Years" by Tina Duemler (*framed)

ARTIST STATEMENT: 

"This is a painting of our farm done en plein air. After nearly 40 years of using conservation practices to encourage wildlife habitat, we can see the results. The grassland/CRP/pollinator practices over the years have provided homes to the redwing blackbirds, blackbirds and many kinds of hawks, sparrows, and the occasional bobolink and eagle. Several species of owls and woodpeckers live in the wooded areas surrounding the grass fields. Meadowlarks and dickcissels are happy here. Pheasants and turkeys nest here as well. Cranes visit the area creating a ruckus in the early mornings. I am not a birder, but I can truly appreciate the increase in bird varieties

and numbers since we've been on the farm. We feel the birds are an indicator of the habitat quality and it seems to be  improving.

With the help of our local conservation groups and organizations, we continue to improve and learn about quality, erosion control and pollinator habitat. It takes time and work, but we can see the changes over the years. That is good news."

**Link to the artist's website:

https://tduemlerart.com/