By Rachel Sun
The pond at Jamin Smitchger’s farm in Viola, Idaho, is filled with the sound of birds and buzzing insects. As the sun beats down on an early summer afternoon, a red-winged blackbird flits between tall grasses at the water’s edge, chirping with increasing agitation as humans approach its home.
“So, this is the lifeblood of the farm,” Smitchger said, pointing at the water. “And over there is a little creek that flows into it.”
Smitchger built the pond to irrigate crops on his off-the-grid farm. In the process, he said, it’s also brought in more biodiversity.