DH and I spent yesterday @ Shady Oak Butterfly Farm and we had a blast! Shady Oak is a working family farm that raises and wrangles butterflies! Having grown up in rural PA where people farmed cattle, pigs, etc, it was a interesting to see traditional farming of an untraditional livestock. Edith and her family are wonderfully friendly hosts and so knowledgeable and passionate about butterflies! My DH came too and had a great time at the seminar and also talking to Edith's DH & partner Stephen who handles building issues, transport, Lab quality control, and many other behind the scenes and profoundly necessary tasks of a farm.. They work together with humor and respect that is visible. If you bring your DH, he definitely won't be left out. Other family members also help to run the business office and retail stotre. Even the grandchildren help by feeding the livestock.A terrific Sonny's (popular vote) lunch was provided and at the end of the day we had the opportunity to buy livestock, supplies, and plants.
The seminar covered a broad range of topics from basics butterfly life cycle to chemistry, biology, and infection control practices. Attendees ranged from a PTA Mom to an entomologist and Edith did a great job of addressing everyone's learning needs. What I found most helpful was to have all the bits and pieces of information we glean from here and there tied together in a cohesive presentation with the opportunity to ask questions and get research based clarification. We had the opportunity to look at butterfly diseases through a microscope.This exercise and the associated discussion helped to clarify how our handling of plants and caterpillars affects our caterpillars health. We learned how to harvest and clean butterfly eggs to raise and how that cuts down on diseases. She maintains a close relationship with the UF butterfly people and was generous with contact info for other resources.
The retail shop and nursery are well stocked with books, supplies, gifts, and plants. When we were there they even had Luna cats! Staff is friendly and helpful so it is quite easy to leave with lots of bags and lighter pockets
I'd definitely go to another seminar @ Shady Oak- it was worth the cost and we had a great time.
Maggie
Report on Shady Oak Butterfly Farming seminar
Very interesting report, Maggie. Thanks for posting it. Here's the link if anyone wants to follow-up http://butterfliesetc.com/index.php
I do not know much about butterfly farming and why they are in the business...I suppose some zoos and wildlife preserves may need to order some for their exhibits? Or do natural resource agencies need to resupply parks and natural areas during restorations...? Or perhaps butterfly farms like this in business to supply weddings and other celebration releases?
Mmmm....just wondering....
Good to know you found the seminar worth the effort and that you learned a lot. Thanks again. t.
Maggie - Sounds like the event was awesome! Wish it was closer to me! Do let us know some of the information you got during the seminar. I would be very interested to hear more! :-)
Mostly they supply weddings, funerals, etc. I believe. They also supply university research projects. People can order caterpillars and chrysalids to have the opportunity to raise them. Edith started raising them because a predator killed a caterpillar right in front of her and she wanted to even things out. I raise them to replace those that have been lost to urbanization. Besides, I never tire of the process of egg>pupa>adult>egg.
I've read different articles on B'fly releases. Initially, some of the stories sound barbaric. Once I was in the class though, I learned that some of the issues presented in the previous article could have been related to not letting the butterflies warm up and thus ending up with floppy B'flies. I don't know. I wasn't there. I do know that it's not all black and white so I shall withhold judgment..
Maggie
Ahhhh, love that business. I've ordered larval host plants from them twice. Am extremely pleased with the plants. I get their newsletter and sure wish I lived closer to Florida. I'd love to attend a seminar as well as just see the place.
Anyone in Texas up for a road trip? Just kidding...it's 1,000 from Edinburg, Texas to Brooker, Florida!!!
~ Cat