Educational chestnut orchard at Ridgeview Farm in Highland County, OH.
The Arc of Appalachia’s Land Restoration trail at Ridgeview Farm in Highland County, Ohio offers visitors a look at how biodiversity can indeed be brought back to an abandoned farm. Interpretive panels along the trail discuss techniques used by the Arc in its decades-long stewardship efforts at Ridgeview, with a stop at the farm’s educational Chestnut Orchard. The orchard was established four years ago with three species of native chestnuts, including potentially blight-resistant B3F3 hybrids. Already two species are bearing fruit!
To advance its educational and interpretive goals for Ridgeview Farm, The American Chestnut Foundation awarded the Arc a $900 grant to install a new kiosk to teach visitors about chestnut diversity, loss, and restoration. The trail is open to the public from April through October, 9:00AM to sunset. More information and trail maps may be acquired at the Appalachian Forest Museum or by becoming an Arc of Appalachia member. For more information, visit arcofappalachia.org or call (937) 365-1935.