Hedgerows at Sierra Orchards
- The California Agroforestry Network
- May 21
- 2 min read
In this video we visit Sierra Orchards in Winters, California, to learn about how they're using hedgerows around their walnut orchards to enhance biodiversity and improve integrated pest management.
Located along Putah Creek, Sierra Orchards maintains more than a mile of established hedgerows planted 15–20 years ago, composed of diverse native species including coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), California wild rose (Rosa californica), deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens), and Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). While hedgerows require ongoing management including irrigation, pruning, and long-term planning, the operation treats them as working farm infrastructure rather than non-productive space. Although some growers remain concerned about losing production acreage, Sierra Orchards has found that hedgerows directly support integrated pest management (IPM) by providing habitat and food sources for beneficial predator and parasitoid insects that provide pest control in the orchard. Increased habitat for predatory birds like hawks and owls has also provided strong rodent control benefits. Together, these practices support long-term orchard productivity while improving biodiversity and overall ecosystem health.
Watch the full virtual case study at www.calagroforestry.org
Learn more about Sierra Orchards at www.sierraorchards.com
0:00-0:32 Introduction 0:32-0:47 Plant Species 0:48-1:21 Challenges of Hedgerows 1:45 Benefits of Hedgerows 2:40 What does Regenerative Agriculture mean to you? This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number G239-24-WA512 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under project number SPOY246745. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.