Published on February 13, 2019 • Last updated on June 7th, 2022

Kirchoff Family Farm

Location: Wilson County
Region: Blackland Prairie and South Texas Brush Country
Size: 200 acres
Ownership: Owned by Kirchoff Family Farm, LLC with a conservation easement held by NPAT

Find a map to Kirchoff Prairie, plus contact information Download

Site Description

This conservation easement provides public access to a farm restored to Blackland prairie and its natural communities. The Kirchoff Family’s “Farm to Native Prairie” philosophy is a working example of how landowners can restore native prairies, following many decades of row crop farming and cattle ranching. You will appreciate the Kirchoff Family’s explanation of just ‘how it works.’ They are carrying out their plan to create a financially self-sustaining prairie in honor of their parents’ conservation ethic, preserved in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy.

Kirchoff Family Farm features three geologic formations—Leona Formation, Wellborn Formation, and Cadell Formation— and five soil mapping units—Coy clay loam, Buchel clay, Saspamco fine sandy loam, and Loire and Divot soils. The property supports reestablished grasslands in the fields that were previously utilized for agriculture then reseeded as well as a dense, woody plant community commonly found in South Texas.

Two natural riparian areas exhibit Tamaulipan floodplain habitat containing few invasive species.

Habitats are being preserved for butterflies, pollinators, neotropical songbirds, and grassland birds. Sprague’s pipit has been identified on the property and is a candidate for endangered species.