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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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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Orchards Report: The Apple Tree Bloom is Near

on Apr 08 by Erik Olson in General, Orchard tagged apple blossom, apple tree, Arbor Day Farm, blooming apple trees, orchards with 3 comments

It’s the million-dollar question that comes around every spring in the apple orchard: “When will the apple trees be in bloom?”

A few people in the orchards industry call this event “prom for apple trees” because every branch is all dressed up with flowers, creating quite a spectacle.

My best estimate for seeing pink and white blooms on trees at Arbor Day Farm this year is right around April 17-21, 2010.

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Wedding Trend: Signature Drinks for Your Special Day

on Apr 01 by Adessa Grundman in General, Weddings tagged Arbor Day Farm, Lied Lodge, Nebraska weddings, wedding trends with no comments

I talk to a lot of brides on a daily basis, and the trend of serving signature drinks at the wedding reception has been coming up for discussion more and more lately. A couple of weeks ago, Lied Lodge hosted a bridal show, and a few of the brides I spoke with there had signature wedding drinks on their minds, too.

And why not?

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