Apple Harvest at Arbor Day Farm: A Preview

on Aug 31 by Erik Olson in Apples, General, Orchard, Trees tagged with no comments

Here in the orchards at Arbor Day Farm, September signals the true start of the apple picking season. A few early varieties (like Paulared) were ready by late summer, but September is when a majority of apples really turn the corner from almost ready to primetime for picking.

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Bring Your Kids to Work Day — Arbor Day Farm Edition

on Aug 18 by Amy S. in Arbor Day, General, Nature, Orchard tagged Arbor Day Farm, Lied Lodge, trees with no comments

Yesterday was our very first Bring Your Kids to Work Day here at Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm. Twenty-four wide-eyed youngsters came to work with their parent and got an up-close and personal look at a day in the work life of mom or dad.

It rained on us a bit, but that didn’t put a damper on the fun. And let’s face it — Arbor Day Farm is the complete opposite of most people’s work environment, with all that green space and fresh air, and all those trees…

We put together this short video highlighting Bring Your Kids to Work Day 2010; kids say it best, don’t they? Enjoy.

Watch the Video — “Bring Your Kids to Work” Day, Arbor Day Farm Edition

A Tree House Proposal

on Aug 03 by Lied Lodge Blog in Engagement Proposals, Nature, Tree House, Trees, Weddings tagged Arbor Day Farm, Lied Lodge, treehouse proposal, unique engagement ideas with 6 comments

 

It all started on a cold winter day in December with a little movie called “Swiss Family Robinson.”  This 1960 Disney Classic would spawn my ingenious idea that would later unfold at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, NE.  As I sat on the couch with my girlfriend Melanie that day, I was informed multiple times how amazing the tree house in the movie was.  Being an interior designer, Melanie deeply admired the craftsmanship of that tree house, noting the clever design by the Robinson family.  She pointed out the awesomeness of it every chance she could.  By the end of the movie, I had no doubt that she genuinely wished she could live in a tree house.  As the credits rolled, I had my “Ah-hah!” moment.  That was it.  The engagement idea I had been searching for. 

I knew then and there that I had to propose in a tree house.

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The Greenhouse Report: Meet the Staff

on Jul 13 by Adam Howard in General, Greenhouse, Hazelnuts, Trees tagged Arbor Day Farm, greenhouse, tree nursery, tree seedling with 1 comment

It takes a dedicated team to grow hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings every year, as we do here in the greenhouse operations at Arbor Day Farm.  

Granted, we’re a small team of just three individuals, but it’s inspiring to think about the future forests that literally pass right through our hands every season.  It’s rewarding work.  We share ideas, we listen to one another, we solve new challenges, and everyone’s opinion is regarded  in the decision making process. This team approach is ingrained in the culture of our unique nursery setting.   

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It’s More Than a Tree House…

on Jun 25 by Amy S. in General, Tree House tagged Arbor Day Farm, family memories, tree house with no comments

For many children, a backyard tree house is a place where imaginations run wild, where top secrets are shared, and where summer days seemingly last forever.

For Stross Newcom — who was born without the capacity to walk — a custom-built tree house remains the centerpiece of memories that last a lifetime.

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Slow Down & Enjoy the Simple Things

on Jun 17 by Tina Layman in General, Nature tagged family, Lied Lodge, Nature, simplicity with 4 comments

‘Kids, wait a minute – stop everything……please ….. just take a moment – would ya just LOOK at that tree!!?’ 

That’s the conversation I have had so many times with my children. As a mother of four, I find myself developing a reputation and not even realizing it. My children’s friends know me as that weird mom who makes us stop just to see the sunset, or just to see the colors of the distant trees. 

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From the Lied Lodge Kitchen: Layered Strawberry Dessert

on Jun 11 by Chad Borner in Recipes tagged fruit, Kimmel Orchard, Lied Lodge, strawberry recipes, summer with no comments

The strawberry season is in full swing, and here in the Lied Lodge kitchen we’re finding lots of tasty ways to serve this summer fruit. All of our berries come fresh-picked from the fields at Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard in Nebraska City, so they’ve traveled about two miles by the time they make their way to your plate. Local food tastes better!

Today I’ll share a recipe for Layered Strawberry Dessert — it’s a classic. White cake, strawberries, sauce, and whipped cream. And if you don’t want to slave in a hot kitchen during these hot summer days, I’ve included some shortcuts to help speed things along for you. Enjoy!

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Asparagus Recipes from the Lied Lodge Kitchen

on May 13 by Chad Borner in Recipes tagged Arbor Day Farm, asparagus recipes, fresh asparagus, Lied Lodge with no comments

A restaurant nestled in the middle of 260-acre Arbor Day Farm definitely has its benefits.
The benefit du jour: loads of fresh asparagus, fresh from our own backyard.

With anywhere from 30-80 pounds of perfectly crisp-yet-tender Arbor Day Farm asparagus being harvested and brought to the kitchen two or three days per week, the culinary team here at Lied Lodge is finding all kinds of great ways to prepare this seasonal treat for our guests.

Today I’ll share a recipe for Bacon Chicken Asparagus Wraps with Orzo Pasta Salad. 

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Out of the Cubicle, and Into the Fresh Air

on May 07 by Jennifer Phillips in General, Nature tagged Arbor Day Farm, cubicle, fitness, fresh air, Lied Lodge, nature meetings, nature walk with no comments

Not all of us are fortunate to work at a place that has acres of forests, rolling hills, streambeds, wooden bridges, and wildlife — all right out the back door.

But as a Conference Planning Manager for Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, I get to surround myself with these natural elements every day. I know, I know… this is not the typical workplace setting. Many of you reading this right now trudge along in traffic to get to the office, circle endlessly in parking garages looking for a space, lug your stuff through the concrete jungle before sitting down in your cubicle for a solid eight hours and usually more. I feel your pain, and I sympathize.

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Earth Day, Arbor Day, Any Day – Plant Trees!

on Apr 22 by Robert Smith in Arbor Day, General, Nature tagged Arbor Day, Earth Day, tree care, tree tips with 4 comments

Of all the months in the calendar, April shines with at least two designated days reminding and encouraging all of us to do our part for the planet: Earth Day and Arbor Day.

And there are countless ways to do our part, from big investments in our home or landscaping, to small changes in our everyday habits. Thousands of people all around the world will participate in trash pick-ups, they’ll commit to reusable bags and water bottles, the’ll take public transportation or get in on a carpool, or maybe plant some trees in their yard or community.

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