O'loughlin Farm

The O'Loughlin Farms and garden is a private research station tracking onsite precipitation, testing slug biocontrol, and studying beetle predation and Northwestern garter and ringneck populations. Michael is an active OSU Master Gardener as well. 

Owned by

Michael and Dan O’Loughlin

Crops

Tall fescue seed

What are they doing for bees?

A grass seed farm is probably not what most people envision when they think of a bee-friendly landscape. However, Michael is passionate about supporting biodiversity through habitat improvements, judicious use of pesticides, and research. The O’Loughlin farm features long corridors of flowering tree species, flowering hedgerows, and blooming weeds along the field margins. Swatches of clover and phacelia and his large home garden, his “independence pollinator garden” makes for excellent habitat for all kinds of wildlife.

WHAT KIND OF BEES LIVE here?

Spend an afternoon at the O’loughlin’s phacelia patch and sunflowers, and you will meet a plethora of bees such as honey bees, bumble bees, mason bees, long-horned bees, leafcutter bees, and small carpenter bees. The farm is also home to raised mason bees and honey bees.

Meet the farmer

With a history of corn farming, Michael O’Loughlin and his brother Dan each inherited a farm about 20 years ago. The family now has a total of 200 acres some of which is operated by a separate farmer that leases the land. With farming in the family, Michael also makes use of his biology degree by conducting a variety of studies on his own land. His goal is to be able to educate other people so they can also become advocates.