Progress report for ENE22-175
Project Information
Problem or Opportunity and Justification: Apples, and other early spring, tree fruits, nuts, and berries, are high-value, pollinator-dependent crops in the Northeast. Production of early spring crops is entirely dependent on the availability of bee pollinators. In the Northeast, over 3000 family farms covering 62,707 acres with total annual sales of $690M rely on a stable supply of native and managed pollinators. While many growers in the Northeast rely on honey bees for pollination, our work over the past 20 years in New York has revealed that much of New York apple pollination is achieved by native, wild bees. Our studies have revealed a diverse fauna of over 120 wild bee species visiting flowering apple trees. Based on empirical studies, we have shown that wild bees are more effective pollinators (on a per visit basis) than honeybees. Analyses incorporating abundance and per-visit effectiveness indicate that the wild bee community contributes significant value to the production of high-value, tree-fruit in New York. Furthermore, surveys of over 600 apple growers in New York and Pennsylvania between 2009 and 2012 revealed an appreciation for the role of wild bees in apple pollination, but also revealed gaps in grower knowledge about how best to manage landscape and pesticide use, and how to quantify the abundance and effectiveness of the wild bee community.
Solution and Approach: We seek to address this knowledge gap by developing educational materials for agricultural service providers in the Northeast. We will develop educational modules focused on five topics: (1) wild bee biodiversity, ecology, and natural history in the eastern US (apple orchards in particular), (2) the economic value of wild and managed bees as agricultural pollinators, (3) habitat management for enhancing wild bee populations, (4) best management practices for pollinator-friendly pesticide use, and (5) the use of a smartphone-based monitoring tool for guiding pollinator management decisions on a local scale. We will provide information, PowerPoint presentations, videos, and in-person and virtual training to a team of at least 30 agricultural service providers in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. These materials will allow agricultural service providers to educate growers across the Northeast about the diversity, value, and management of wild pollinators. Our educational program will allow growers to diversify their “pollinator portfolio” so that eastern fruit tree pollination is less dependent on a single, managed pollinator, the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). Expanding and diversifying the “pollinator portfolio” of eastern fruit producers will help growers reduce the cost associated with pollination, will render eastern tree-fruit producers less dependent on the unpredictable and fluctuating availability of honey bee colonies, and will make tree fruit production more environmentally sustainable over the long term.
Thirty agricultural service providers will educate over 600 apple and other early spring flowering tree-fruit producers about five key aspects of pollinator biology and pollinator management: (1) bee biodiversity, ecology, and natural history, (2) the economic value of wild and managed bees, (3) habitat management for enhancing wild bee populations, (4) best management practices and updated guidelines for pollinator-friendly pesticide use, and (5) the use of a smartphone-based bee monitoring tool that guides pollinator management decisions.
Apples, and other early spring, tree fruits, nuts, and berries, are high-value, pollinator-dependent crops in the Northeast. Production of early spring crops is entirely dependent on the availability of bee pollinators. In the Northeast, over 62,000 acres with total annual sales of $690M rely on a stable supply of native and managed pollinators. While many growers in the Northeast rely on honey bees for pollination, our work over the past 20 years in New York has revealed that much of New York apple pollination is achieved by native, wild bees. WE seek to educate growers about the diversity of wild the northeast wild bee community, their importance in agriculture here in the northeast, their ecology so that they can better understand how their orchard and habitat management impact their wild bee community and how to assess their wild bee contribution to their orchards. Surveys of over 600 apple growers in New York and Pennsylvania between 2009 and 2012 revealed gaps in grower knowledge about how best to manage landscape and pesticide use, and how to quantify the abundance and effectiveness of the wild bee community. This project is addressing this knowledge gap by providing educational materials for agricultural service providers in the Northeast and training them on how to deliver it. The materials consist of five modules: (1) wild bee biodiversity, ecology, and natural history in the eastern US (apple orchards in particular), (2) the economic value of wild and managed bees as agricultural pollinators, (3) habitat management for enhancing wild bee populations, (4) best management practices for pollinator-friendly pesticide use, and (5) the use of a smartphone-based monitoring tool for guiding pollinator management decisions on a local scale. To th eeducators we will provide PowerPoint presentations, videos, and in-person and virtual training to a team of at least 30 agricultural service providers in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. These materials will allow agricultural service providers to educate growers across the Northeast about the diversity, value, and management of wild pollinators. Our educational program will allow growers to diversify their “pollinator portfolio” so that eastern fruit tree pollination is less dependent on a single, managed pollinator, the European honey bee (Apis mellifera).
Educational Approach
Engagement: Our project focuses on educating agricultural service providers and, ultimately, the tree fruit, nut, and berry producers of the northeast about the biology, ecology, and importance of wild bees as crop pollinators including how to monitor and manage their native and managed pollinator community for sustainable pollination. We started with an experienced team of agricultural service providers and are expanding our contact list through their contacts with extension professionals across the Northeast. Agricultural service providers are enrolling through direct email and through the 'subscribe' link on the Northeast Pollinator Partnership website. During and after projectwe will sustain interest in the program through blog posts via the Northeast Pollinator Partnership website.
Learning: We are developing and have just started delivering trainings focused on five topics: (1) the diversity, biology and ecology of eastern North America’s wild (native) bees, (2) the habitat, host plant, and nesting (ecological) requirements of wild bees, (3) the effectiveness of wild bees as crop pollinators, and (4) best management practices for controlling orchard pests and diseases while simultaneously protecting native/wild pollinator populations. We will provide service providers with downloadable presentations, printed materials, and videos for use in their outreach and education programs. We will also (5) train service providers in the use of tools for monitoring wild and managed bee abundance, which are already available via the Northeast Pollinator Partnership website.
Educational modules:
- Diversity of bees in the northeast – In this module we will provide information on the biology, life history, sociality, floral associations, nesting habits, and status of the bees of the Northeast, especially those that play a key role in crop pollination. This first module would be foundation-building and would lay the groundwork for the subsequent modules.
- Habitat management for wild bees – In this module we will provide information on the key habitat requirements for wild bees, including floral resources, nesting resources, and soil requirements. These elements will be used to enhance ecological conditions and develop best management practices for wild bee populations in pollinator-dependent crop landscapes.
- Balancing effective pest-management while simultaneously protecting wild pollinators – In this module we will provide up-to-date information on best management practices for herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide use in eastern tree fruit, nut, and berry farms. Our goal will be to present the best advice possible to allow growers to simultaneously control crop pests as well as protect pollinator populations in and around agricultural habitats. Staff at Cornell’s Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP), a key partner in this project, will review pesticide recommendations for accuracy and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Quantifying the economic value of wild pollinators – In this module we will provide a framework for examining the economic contribution of wild and managed bees to crop pollination based on data gathered from our work on orchard pollinators over the past 15 years. We will discuss factors used to quantify pollinator importance (pollinator abundance x per-visit effectiveness) and we will introduce how one measures these variables in the field. We will also discuss how landscape context and management practices impact the abundance of wild and managed pollinators.
- Using the NEPP bee monitoring smartphone app – In this module, we will introduce how to use the NEPP pollinator monitoring app, which is available for free download via the NEPP website. This monitoring tool will be useful for growers, extension professionals, and crop consultants who wish to assess the abundance of wild and managed pollinators in orchards in order to better understand their pollinator needs. Agricultural service providers will be trained in the use of the NEPP pollinator monitoring app and will be able to train interested growers, extension professionals and crop consultants in its use. (This is ongoin if the public accesses our Northeast Pollinator Partneship website)
Evaluation: We will evaluate the program modules in two ways. First, we will conduct surveys of agricultural service providers through our “Verification tool for service providers” form. Service providers will provide us with feedback on grower participation in each program, including how many growers were in attendance, duration of the program, and topics of grower interest. Second, we will conduct pre- and post-presentation surveys of growers using our “Grower survey” forms. These forms will allow us to assess knowledge prior to the extension presentations as well as how grower perceptions were changed by the extension presentations. Finally, we will follow up with subsequent surveys of participating growers to assess how our program has changed their pollinator management practices. Regular meetings with our advisory committee and with the broader community of agricultural service providers will allow us to continually update educational materials and course content.
Milestones
Maria VanDyke (supported on the grant) and Bryan Danforth (Project PI) will be involved in all milestones outlined below.
Engagement -- Recruit service providers to the program (2 months) – In the first two months of the project, we propose to use our current group of engaged agricultural service providers to identify and recruit additional service providers to the program. We will use existing networks, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State IPM, and Northeast IPM, to spread the word about our program and to recruit additional agricultural service providers. Service providers will enlist in the program via the Northeast Pollinator Partnership website which will provide us with a regular means of communicating with group participants via monthly blog posts and email messaging.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 50
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 0
Proposed completion date: May 3, 2022
Status (as of January 2023): Due to the ongoing nature of finding new agricultural service providers this Milestone will continue to be ongoing through the development of the last module (Module 5); "In Progress".
Accomplishments: In addition to the Service Providers that supported our proposal we have gained 17 additional service providers through direct emails and through our subsribe link on our webbsite (NEPP) simply through the annoncement that we will have the Education Modules accessible that will teach them about wild bees and teach them how to share this information with their growers through power points, handouts, and instruction.
Engagement -- Develop platform for sharing educational materials (1 month) -- In the first three months of the project, we propose to develop a platform for sharing educational materials with our group of agricultural service providers. This platform will allow us to share documents, PowerPoint presentations, videos, lectures, and other training materials with the project participants. Cornell Box is a likely platform for hosting project materials. We will continue to engage in recruiting agricultural service providers to the program.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 0
Proposed completion date: June 1, 2022
Status: "In Progress" While we have completed the development of the platform that we share materials with the ag services providers that have signed-up so far, we envision dissemination of these materials on additional platforms as a comprehensive 5-part series. The final comprehensive series package will not be available until we fully completed all of the Modules. Additional platforms include Extension Foundation and Cornell Video on Demand with links from our NEPP website.
Accomplishments: We have identified our main sharing platform to be Cornell Box of which Cornell Digital is embedded. When the entire series is complete we will upload it to the Extension Foundation website to be distributed far borader than our 10 state collaboration. Continuous uploading to this platform will occur over the duration of the project. Only ag service providers that have signed up through our website or by direct email will have access to the Cornell Box until the the completion of Module 4. Please contact Maria for access priveleges through direct email with the SUBJECT HEADING: 'Wild Bee Trainer Education'.
Learning -- Develop and deliver module 1 -- Diversity and Ecology of bees in NY and the northeast (6 months) – Service providers and growers will learn about the biology, life history, sociality, floral associations, nesting habits, and status of the bees of the northeast, especially those that play a key role in the pollination of tree fruits, nuts, and berries. This first model would be foundation-building and would lay the groundwork for the subsequent modules. Maria VanDyke will give presentations to grower groups as well as to our group of agricultural service providers. PowerPoint presentations, informational materials, and video presentations will be posted on the project Box platform for sharing with all project participants (this applies to all learning modules below).
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30 (Currently have about 20)
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: "Not yet disseminated" will happen later in funding period.
Proposed completion date: Jan. 15, 2023
At this point we have only shared the video and ppt with those of the Advisory committee but we hLink to Webpage and Module 1
Status: 'In Progress" - Deliverables are complete however we expect alterations to the video and possibly the powerpoint throughout the funding window because each module intertwines with other modules and the Advisory Council may decide to add new process information to this first Module which sets the baseline knowledge for the rest of the Modules. therefore we are designating this Milestone as 'In Progress'.
Accomplishments: For this milestone we have commpleted and shared through a Cornell Box platform link a 1) powerpoint and 2) a video of how to give the presentation, that educators can use to deliver their own presentation on the diversity and ecology of wild bee species in agriculture. The idea is that the educator watches the video of Maria giving the presentation in a very comprehensive manner then they can download the powerpoint and use the slides they feel are most relevnat for the goal of their education event and then present the slides with the knowledge our video has bestowed upon th eeducator. The idea is that the comprehensive video of Maria giving the presentation will give the educator extra knowledge that will help them answer questions that their grower may bring up. Goal: Educate the educator on the diversity of wild bee species in agriculture in the northeast and the life history and ecological traits that are important to understnd when considering habitat needs and why and how pesticides impact wild bees in the landscape. There are also assessmet forms that the educators must have their audience fill out as well as a form that the educator needs to fill out that shares the number of growers adn/or landowners they reached with their educations event (i.e. on farm discussion, lunchtime oresentation, conference, one-on-one consultation, workshop, etc...). Deliverables: 1) PPT, 2) Video of Presentation, 3)audience evaluation form, 4) educator/ag service provider evaluation form.
SARE Module1_ Wild Bee Diversity and Life History_011523
Learning -- Develop and deliver module 2 -- Habitat management for wild bees (6 months) – In this module, service providers will learn about the key habitat requirements for wild bees, including floral resources, nesting resources, and soil requirements all within a life history framework. These elements will be used to develop best management practices for managing orchards and surrounding landscapes for wild bee conservation.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: goal 150 (by end of funding cycle)
Proposed completion date: July 1, 2023
Status: "In Progress"
Accomplishments: Rough Draft of powerpoint about Habitat needs of wild bee species in agriculture and how to manage your habitat with access to resources.
Learning -- Develop and deliver module 3 -- Quantifying the economic value of wild pollinators (6 months) – In this module, service providers will learn about the basic framework for quantifying the economic contribution of wild and managed bees. We will discuss how one quantifies pollinator importance (pollinator abundance x per-visit effectiveness) and we will discuss how one measures these variables in the field.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 150
Proposed completion date: Jan. 2, 2024
Learning -- Develop and deliver module 4 -- Balancing effective pest-management while simultaneously protecting wild pollinators (6 months) – In this module, service providers will learn the current best practices for herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide use in eastern tree fruits, nut, and berry farms. . Information will allow service providers to engage in conversations with growers on how best to simultaneously control pests as well as protect pollinator populations in and around farms, fields, and orchards. This module will include substantial feedback from growers about their experiences and challenges.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 150
Proposed completion date: July 3, 2024
Learning -- Develop and deliver module 5 -- Using the NEPP bee monitoring smartphone app (6 months) – In this module, agricultural service providers will learn how to use the NEPP pollinator monitoring app. This monitoring tool will be an essential tool for growers, extension professionals, and crop consultants who wish to assess the abundance of wild and managed pollinators in their orchards. Assessment of the current status of pollinator abundance is a key first step in developing an effective and sustainable pollinator management plan.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 150
Proposed completion date: Nov. 30, 2025
Status: "In Progress"
Accomplishments: Rough Draft of powert point needs feedback
Engagement and evaluation – Regular feedback at educational training events -- Throughout the duration of the project we will conduct surveys of both agricultural service providers and growers (via survey forms included in this proposal) in order to make changes to the program and adapt to both service provider need and grower interests. We will hold annual meetings via Zoom or in person to gather participant feedback and adjust our program modules.
Proposed realistic number of service providers who participate: 30
Proposed Number of farmers who participate: 600
Proposed completion date: Nov. 30, 2025
Milestone Activities and Participation Summary
Educational activities and events conducted by the project team:
Participants in the project’s educational activities:
Learning Outcomes
Performance Target Outcomes
Performance Target Outcomes - Service Providers
Target #1
SP's have agreed to share information during on farm consultation and also give presentations to their grower community once the in-person training has been completed. Module ! Wild native Bee Diversity and Ecology was just completed and training will begin intermittantly through Summer 2023 and then more intensely Fall '23/'24, Winter '23/'24, Spring '24/'25. Any education that has been done so far has been administered as 'drafts for feedback' but has cleary educated extension none the less.
15,000-30,000 acres
Growers in the northeast manage 10-200 acres of apple in general. This education series is focused on apple growers however we have included additional information for small fruit growers and educators.
- 2 Consultations
- 1 Our Cooperative Extension affiliate invited other extension educators to a brief training they had me give to get feedback on Module 1 and what needs to be added to Module 2.
SARE has helped us reach our first three milestones that prepare us to deliver education to extension and agricultural service providers. In the past 8 months we have engaged esxtension, grower consultants, and industry program managers who would like to work towards educating their grower community. Since the onstart we have at least 16 new contacts with many more saying they will engage once more of the modules are created and published. We used our existing networks, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, New York State IPM, and Northeast IPM to recruit additional agricultural service providers. These service providers have enlisted for the program via the Northeast Pollinator Partnership website which lets them add their information to our list serv which will be used to provide them with access to distributed materials via our institutional Cornell Box platform which can be shared with anyone who has a link.
And most recently we finished developing the first Module, Module 1 - which we expanded. Module 1 covers Wild Bee Diversity, and the Ecology and Life History of Bees in northeast agriculture (Early spring flowering crops: Apple and small fruits). Presented here was the final version however due to a lively post discussion we will update this further. Official training of agricutlure service providers will begin in Fall 2023 however distribution of online training has already begun.
Performance Target Outcomes - Farmers
Target #1
0
N/A
Additional Project Outcomes
Soon after we used our cross state instituional network to reach out to other agricultural service providers around the northeast we were contacted by the Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation corporate responsibility program of Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) Corporation to be a part of developing enhanced IPM protocols for Mott's apple growers with the goal of wild pollinator conservation in mind. This KDP grant has further lead us into a collaborative realationship with the IPM Institute of North America which has been a very exciting experience of informaiton sharing, where we are all benefiting from each others knowledge. This relationship will benefit Module 3 of this project titled Balancing effective pest-management while simultaneously protecting wild pollinators,
Additionally, the goals of this SARE project have been highly regarded by New York Ag and Markets (NYSDAM) team who is providing the capacity and nudges the growers to adopt best practices put forth by the New York Pollinator Protection Plan.
Because our first Module was only just completed we have had limited interface with a few extension educators/consultants that have watched the online recorded version of this Module. One extension agent for Applementioned how the knowedge helped enhance the feedback and biological knowledge they could give to their growers when conducting an on farm visit which led to a more engaging conversation with the grower. Another extension agent who works with grape growers who reviewed a draft of the Habitat Management Module which is currently under development was inspired to re-initiate habitat enhancement discussions with her growers using some of the simple actions that can be taken as well as the empirical research that supports it.
Not quite yet at this point. We are still tweaking our approach. We will be adjusting modules with increased storytelling including field visits that demonstrate 'how to'. Expect updates to materials.