Hello
Hi, I'm Carl. I steward a small piece of land about 10 minutes west of Carrboro, NC in Orange County. Dog Fennel Farm is named for its most prolific crop, a native pioneer species that can be seen erupting from the worst soil, in the bleakest conditions, with seemingly no pests or diseases. When you see a frilly frond of something growing out of a crack in pavement in the middle of the summer, it's probably dog fennel. I admire it, and I curse it.
The mission at Dog Fennel Farm is to grow trees and plants that support people and wildlife. It's a part-time side project / passion project for now, with a vision to keep growing and being a resource for the much-needed and expanding movement to repopulate our landscapes with ecologically responsible species.
I look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached at 919-442-8467 or carl@dogfennelfarm.com
How I got here
This passion project was born out of a love for wildness, fascination with nature, and as a direct answer to the realities of mass extinction, climate change, and food insecurity. Growing trees and plants that sustain people and wildlife is my mission.
I have degrees in Earth Science, Geography, and Spanish. Since 2003 I've been in the geospatial data industry with a focus on utility systems. Before that I worked as a park ranger, wildland firefighter, publisher and photographer.
Here are some books that have made an impact on how I see the world, in no particular order:
Song of the Dodo by David Quammen
Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan
Through A Window by Jane Goodall
50 Years at Gombe by Jane Goodall
The Control of Nature by John McFee
Space Chronicles by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka
The Forager's Harvest by Samuel Thayer
Nature's Garden by Samuel Thayer
Incredible Wild Edibles by Samuel Thayer
Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy
The Scavenger's Guide to Haute Cusine by Steven Rinella
Contact
Nursery is open by appointment outside of select sale dates.
919-442-8467