2013 Annual Report for ES11-108
Pollinator Conservation Short Course
Summary
The Pollinator Conservation Short Course is a first of its kind professional development initiative that is reaching more than 300 NRCS professionals, Soil and Water Conservation District staff, Certified Crop Advisors, FSA administrators, and Extension personnel in all Southern SARE states.
This Course provides real solutions to the decline of crop pollinators. Research demonstrates that native bees make a significant contribution to crop pollination—in some cases providing all pollination when enough habitat is available. A recent article in the prestigious journal Science (Garibaldi et al. 2013) clearly shows native bees make a significant contribution to crop pollination. The study has prompted a renewed call to maintain and manage pollinator diversity for long-term agricultural production. It further recommends integrating the management of both honey bees and wild pollinators through the conservation or restoration of pollinator habitat on farms, and more prudent use of insecticides.
Our Short Courses provide the exact training necessary to carry out these recommendations. For example, each Short Course provides an overview of pollinator biology, conservation practices that support pollinators, relevant habitat management guidelines, an overview of the latest research findings, and an overview of how to implement pollinator conservation programs authorized in the Farm Bill.
This is the first training to support Southern producers of bee-pollinated crops (blueberry, peach, citrus, cotton, cucumber, and watermelon). A recent NRCS survey documented that farmers want to conserve pollinators but need technical assistance to do so. This course helps create that expertise.
The Xerces Society is the oldest pollinator conservation organization in the U.S. and is ideally positioned to carry out this project, having already conducted this training in many other states with the support of farmers, local researchers, and habitat restoration specialists.
Objectives/Performance Targets
The Pollinator Conservation Short Course is being offered over two years, with six Courses conducted in the first year, seven in the second year, and follow-up evaluations and ongoing support offered beyond project completion (using leveraged funds). Under this schedule, earlier Courses will help us to continually refine curriculum for future events. This two-year timeline also provides ample time to focus on promotional efforts to maximize attendance for all events.
Accomplishments/Milestones
From April 2013 – March 2014, we conducted thirteen Short Courses at locations in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The primary audiences at these events were staff from the NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Cooperative Extension, as well as individual farmers, researchers, educators (from community organizations), conservationists, and beekeepers.
Using leveraged funds to support this project, we were able to hold multiple courses in some states. This leveraged support represents a major expansion of SARE’s original investment and has significantly increased our capacity to reach many more Southern SARE stakeholders.
For all the Short Courses, Xerces staff Nancy Adamson presented core programs on the importance of pollinators and other beneficial insects that use pollinator habitat, basic bee/beneficial insect biology (for understanding habitat needs), habitat assessment, planning for habitat, and installation techniques. Guest speakers included NRCS staff highlighting Farm Bill programs and researchers or other professionals with expertise in habitat restoration, regional ecology, or native bees. Xerces staff Kelly Gill presented the habitat assessment program in Crossville, Tennessee.
ALABAMA
On July 30, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at Cullman Electric Cooperative in Cullman, Alabama.Fifty people were in attendance, including thirty-one staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included Extension agents and educators, farmers, US Forest Service biologists, master gardeners, and staff from conservation nonprofit organizations.
Guest speakers included Carol Denhof, understory coordinator with Longleaf Alliance who spoke about native plants ecology, and techniques for restoring pine understory habitat. Jeff Thurmond, wildlife biologist with Alabama NRCS highlighted USDA programs and practices for pollinator conservation.
The in-depth field-based habitat assessment took place at the North Alabama Horticultural Research Center where participants were able to view wildflower plantings, and observe native pollinators.
On August 1, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at Dorrill Farm in Troy, Alabama.Forty-three people were in attendance, including twenty-nine staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included Extension agents and educators, farmers, beekeepers, students, and nature reserve managers.
Guest speakers included Carol Denhof and Jeff Thurmond (see above) as well as Gary Weil, owner of Red Root Farm who spoke about pollinator conservation practices on his farm.
As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training and native wildflower and pollinator identification session. Another highlight was a tour of cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.
On January 14, 2014 we conducted a Short Course at the Jon Archer Agricultural center in Mobile, Alabama. This course preceded the annual Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) conference. Sixteen people were in attendance, including six staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included landowners, nonprofit conservation organization staff, cooperative extension agents, beekeepers, and university researchers and educators.
Guest speakers included Mark Hainds, research associate with Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, and research coordinator for Longleaf Alliance, who spoke about techniques for restoring pine understory habitat and Jeff Thurmond, wildlife biologist with Alabama NRCS.
As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training and a native wildflower and pollinator identification session.
GEORGIA
On February 21, 2014 we conducted a half-day Farming for Beneficial Insects workshop at the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension office in Brunswick, Georgia, as part of Georgia Organics’ Green Acres: Saving the Planet One Bite at a Time Conference. While this was not directly funded by Southern SARE, Southern SARE’s support in developing and providing the programming was broadly acknowledged.The program targeted attendees of the Georgia Organics meeting, which included NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District staff, farmers, educators, and community organizations supporting sustainable farming, local economies, and conservation. Twenty-two people were in attendance, including three staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Also in attendance were farmers, Extension staff, and educators.
The co-instructor for the course was Keren Giovengo, Program Manager of the Coastal Sustainable Communities and EcoScapes Conservation Landscaping Programs at the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service, Georgia Sea Grant College Program in Brunswick. She highlighted the extensive regionally focused resources available through Ecoscapes, while Nancy Adamson highlighted the benefits of pollinators, predators, and parasitoids supported with habitat plantings, including cover crops, on farms.
Participants visited the native plant demonstration garden at the site, which includes extensive signage (plant labels and ecological benefits of native plantings).
KENTUCKY
On June 26, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at Barren County Cooperative Extension in Glasgow, Kentucky. Twenty-nine people were in attendance, including twenty-five staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Also in attendance were university researchers and students, private land biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Extension agents, and nursery industry professionals.
Guest speakers included Casey Shrader, KY NRCS state biologist, who highlighted Farm Bill programs that support pollinators, and John Seymour, president of Roundstone Native Seed, who highlighted native seed collecting and native wildflower habitat establishment with seed.
Participants were able to visit a CRP CP42 (pollinator enhancement) planting in its second year of establishment to assess pollinator habitat.
On June 27, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort, Kentucky.Sixty-eight people were in attendance, including forty staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included private lands biologists from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, staff from nature preserves, Extension staff, students, landowners, and farmers.
Guest speakers included Casey Shrader and John Seymour (see above) and Tom Barnes, Extension professor with the University of Kentucky.
As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training and a native wildflower and pollinator identification session.
LOUISIANA
On April 16, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at the Center for Ecology and Environmental Technology in Lafayette, Louisiana.Thirty-three people were in attendance including fourteen staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Also in attendance were staff from local conservation nonprofits, beekeepers, and students and faculty from the University of Louisiana.
Guest speakers included Larry Allian, botanist with the United States Geological Service who spoke about “Native Bees in South Louisiana’s Native Landscape.” Chris Reid, botanist with the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program also spoke about “Native Plants that Support Pollinators.” John Pitre, wildlife biologist with NRCS addressed USDA programs and practices for pollinator conservation.
Participants were able to visit a restored native prairie for the field portion of the training to assess habitat features and view native bees. Staff from the Center for Ecology and Environmental Technology provided seed packets of Louisiana cultivars of native prairie plants.
On April 17, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at Louisiana Technical University in Ruston, Louisiana.Nineteen people were in attendance including fourteen staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Also in attendance were beekeepers and staff from the US Forest Service. Additionally, approximately 20 agronomy students joined the field segment of the course to learn about pollinator habitat and bees.
Guest speakers included Chris Reid and John Pitre (see above).
As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training and a native wildflower and pollinator identification session.
NORTH CAROLINA
On March 7, 2014 we conducted a Short Course at the University of North Carolina in Asheville, North Carolina, prior to the Organic Grower’s School, in collaboration with Bee City USA, a local not-for-profit promoting pollinator conservation.One hundred and eight people were in attendance, including seven staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included US Forest Service, GA Department of Natural Resources, naturalists, beekeepers, landscape architects, students, educators, farmers, and nonprofit conservation organization staff and members.
Debbie Roos, extension agent specializing in Sustainable and Organic Production, was a co-instructor for this course, presenting a program on pollinator gardens. Perry Wilkerson and Kara Cassels (NC NRCS) highlighted Farm Bill programs that support pollinator conservation.
Nancy Adamson and Debbie Roos lead in-depth discussions on the pollinator habitat assessment process, and pollinator plantings on small farms, and Bethany Beliveau of Natural Landscapes Nursery lead a discussion on the propagation of native plants.
TENNESSEE
On June 18, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at an NRCS/SWCD facility in Waverly, Tennessee.Seventy-five people were in attendance including sixty-one staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Staff from a local nature sanctuary, state wildlife agencies, and industry professionals were also in attendance.
Guest speakers included Matt Walker, TN NRCS state biologist, who highlighted Farm Bill programs that support pollinators, and John Seymour, owner of Roundstone Native Seeds who highlighted native seed collecting and native wildflower habitat establishment with seed. This program was taped by communication specialist with the TN NRCS and will be made available as a training resource for NRCS and the public.
Like other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training, and a native wildflower and pollinator identification session at this event.
On June 20, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at the Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville, Tennessee.Seventy-two people were in attendance including fifty-four staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District. Extension, beekeepers, and state wildlife agency staff were also in attendance.
Guest speakers included Matt Walker (see above), Michael Wilson with the University of Tennessee Bees and Beekeeping Extension program, who presented his research on crop pollination and habitat that supports pollinators, and Jeremy Hamlington of Roundstone Native Seeds. Like the previous Tennessee Course, this program was taped by communication specialist with the TN NRCS and will be made available as a training resource for NRCS and the public.
VIRGINIA
On September 18, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona, Virginia.Forty-nine people were in attendance, including twenty-seven staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included master naturalists, educators, farmers, and nonprofit conservation organization staff and members.
Guest speakers included Bob Glennon, private lands biologist for Southeast VA, who spoke about establishing pollinator habitat in Virginia and Virginia resources for habitat establishment including seed mixes and sources and establishment guides, and Justin Folks, private lands biologist for northwest Virginia, who highlighted Farm Bill programs that support pollinator conservation.
As part of this Course, we visited a wildlife habitat planting that was supported with financial assistance from NRCS, participants learned about the challenges overcome during site-preparation and plans for an adjacent farm field to be planted.
On September 19, 2013 we conducted a Short Course at Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Virginia.Thirty-four people were in attendance, including twenty staff from the NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Participants also included various educators, farmers, and nonprofit conservation organization staff and members.
Guest speakers included Bob Glennon (see above) and Andrew Rosenberger, private lands biologist for southwest Virginia, who highlighted Farm Bill programs that support pollinator conservation.
As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted a habitat assessment training and native wildflower and pollinator identification session. We toured a wildlife planting that was initially developed for quail habitat, but enhanced with forbs to provide pollinator habitat, discussed pre-restoration site-preparation, and potential long-term management challenges.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
We continue to experience great success with our existing outreach efforts and continue to find rapidly rising interest in the conservation of native pollinators. We believe the reason for this interest is due to the ongoing plight of managed and native pollinators, as well as the fact that bee conservation provides an accessible framework for achieving other conservation objectives (such as soil and water protection). To date, more than 850 people participated in the Short Course in the Southern SARE region—surpassing our total project target of 300 participants.
Specific feedback from Short Course participants is consistently and overwhelming positive. Examples of specific comments from this reporting period include:
“It was amazing! Everyone’s presentation was fantastic! And the facility was amazing.”
– Farmer/Beekeeper, Louisiana Short Course
“To gain a better understanding of pollinators – [my] objective was fulfilled. The books and handouts were outstanding!”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Tennessee Short Course
“Came in with no real expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of topics covered and the excellent take-away resources.”
– Tennessee Short Course
“I was hoping to learn something new about pollinators. I found this to be a VERY GOOD informational training. It fulfilled and exceeded what I thought I’d learn.”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Kentucky
“Really didn’t know what to expect but I was pleased with the training. Great job. Very informative.”
– Nature Preserve Manager, Kentucky
“[My expectations were] understanding the diversity of mix of pollinators and impact on crop production. THIS WAS GREAT! Lots of information I had no idea about, especially native bees.”
– Crop consultant/Farmer, Alabama Short Course
“To learn about the benefits of pollinators. Good Job! I’m leaving with a better understanding! Thank you!”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Alabama Short Course
“I was hoping for a detailed coverage of pollination practices. Definitely! Great workshop!”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Alabama Short Course
“It was exactly what I thought it would be. Yes, they [my expectations] were fulfilled. I really enjoyed the experience. Thank you!”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Alabama Short Course
“Information on topic was excellent – the best!”
– Farmer, Alabama Short Course
“Informative, Inspiring. Thank you.”
– Pollinator Garden Educator, Virginia Short Course
“[Expected] Additional information to interest farming community in pollinator habitat. Yes! Very much so. Thank you! Extremely well done course.”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Virginia Short Course
“I was excited to learn new things and connect with others… The workshop also included great materials and exceeded my expectations.”
– Educator/Environmental Consultant, Virginia
“Just [expected] to learn about pollinator habitat. Learned WAY more than I expected.”
– Landscape Designer, North Carolina
“I came wanting to learn more about pollinators and learned more than I could have imagined. Thank you so much, everything was incredibly helpful.”
– Farmer, North Carolina
“To increase my understanding in how to enhance pollination & beneficial insect habitat on our land. YES!!! This was an excellent workshop. Thank You! Really appreciate your inclusion of Debbie Roos.”
– Farmer, North Carolina Short Course
“I expected a life-changing course. It was pretty damn close. Fascinating.”
– Farmer/Student, North Carolina Short Course
Through this project, we continue to impact the way that farm educators incorporate pollinator conservation into their work. Specifically, based upon post event questionnaires for April 2013 – March 2014, 93% of agricultural support staff said that the Short Course changed how they would advise farmers on management practices to support pollinators. Among those reporting, 97% said they would incorporate pollinator conservation information into their own education and outreach programs.
While the Short Course specifically targets farm educators and farm agency staff, a number of farmers attended each event. Among them, 91% said that attending the Short Course changed how they would support pollinators on their farms. These farmers and landowners reported to collectively manage approximately 16,000 acres of land.
No major challenges arose during the reporting period. One factor that we have now addressed is our organizational capacity. Each Short Course that we conduct inevitably results in a flood of additional workshop requests, as well as follow-up inquiries for farm-specific technical support. We believe that this response reflects the quality of the training that we offer. To help meet these many requests for specific project support, we’ve added additional courses to select states.
Related to the larger than predicted demand for course enrollment, we have also worked to secure larger venues and to accommodate larger groups at each event than initially planned. In our proposal, we budgeted for a maximum of 30 participants at each event (based upon previous experience outside the Southern region). The actual number of registrants has far exceeded that anticipated target at most events, but we have worked to accommodate as many of these additional participants as possible with larger venues, multiple co-presenters who can help facilitate programs, and using funds leveraged from additional sources. This overwhelmingly positive response to our work has been the most validating endorsement of pollinator conservation possible.
A third challenge we’re beginning to face is the ability to fit in all the relevant material into the agenda for a seven-hour course. New research and technical guidance relevant to pollinator conservation continues to evolve, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to fit all the content into the Short Course agenda. In post-course evaluations, participants have requested an expansion of our current Short Course model to an in-depth, multi-day event that covers more detailed information on site preparation, plants, and habitat establishment, as well as more in-depth training on pollinator identification.
Finally, based upon extensive post-event feedback we see that there is now a growing and un-met demand for additional training on other beneficial insects, including predatory and parasitoid insects that can contribute to pest management. While we briefly touch on this concept in the Pollinator Conservation Short Course, it is clear that significantly more information is wanted by our participants. To meet this demand we are currently exploring the feasibility of providing additional future training that will expand upon that subject.
Reference
Garibaldi, L. A., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Winfree, R., Aizen, M. A., Bommarco, R., Cunningham, S. A., … & Klein, A. M. (2013). Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance. Science, 339(6127), 1608-1611.
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