The Krautmanns
Mark and Jolly Krautmann
BEFORE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT, oak savanna and prairie once covered more than a million acres of the Willamette Valley. But with development, this ecoregion has dwindled to 2 percent of the historical savanna and prairie lands, threatening more than 175 of the native species.
Having built Heritage Seedlings nursery, Mark Krautmann, along with his wife, Jolly, felt they had the ability, and the responsibility, to protect these lands. So in 2001, the Krautmanns started growing and selling more than 85 native plants, resulting in $100,000 in annual sales. They worked with their 65 employees to restore native grasses and trees and hired a full time biologist to manage their lands. They partnered with local schools and community groups to monitor bird habitat. The result of their work: more than 200 acres of restored native habitat.
Now the Krautmanns are working to educate others that more than 20 percent of the original oak savanna and prairie landscape could be restored while maintaining the current economies and livelihoods of the Willamette Valley. The Krautmanns’ success is enhanced by partnerships with communities, nonprofits, and agencies like The Nature Conservancy and Northwest Farm Credit Services.
To learn more about Heritage Seedlings, go to: HeritageSeedlings.com.
To learn more about Northwest Farm Credit Services, go to: Farm-Credit.com.
More information also available on our Partners page – click the link below.
