Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
Minnesota farmers need practical, affordable strategies to manage pests that threaten crop yield, livestock health, and profitability. Wild Farm Alliance (WFA) and three farmer partners-managing produce and pasture-based livestock-will demonstrate an innovative approach: using nest boxes to attract cavity-nesting birds such as Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, which naturally remove pests. Over 24 months, we will: 1) co-design site plans using NRCS specifications; 2) build and install 30 nest boxes; 3) monitor nesting activity; 4) record parental feeding visits to estimate pest-removal services and 5) take fly counts on livestock. We will also 6) develop farmer-friendly resources: a) two short videos on nest box installation and monitoring, b) three farmer profiles showcasing successful implementations, c) one farmer-friendly monitoring datasheet, and d) one field day to share results in person. Expected outcomes include measurable pest-removal rates, reduced pest pressures, improved livestock comfort, healthier crops, greater bird abundance and reduced pesticide reliance. Farmer partners, compensated for their time, will help lead planning, installation, monitoring, and outreach. Project findings will be shared widely through the field day, WFA's website, partner networks, and NCR-SARE channels. This project will provide a scalable model for integrating birds as a natural pest-control strategy across Minnesota farms.
Project objectives from proposal:
Objective 1: Demonstrate Birds As Pest Control Allies. Build, co-install, and monitor 30 nest boxes on three farms; take fly counts on livestock; and track parental feeding visits to determine avian pest control services.
Objective 2: Produce Tools. Create two how-to videos, three farmer profiles, a nest box monitoring datasheet, host one field day and conduct outreach through WFA and partner networks.
Objective 3: Evaluate Impact. Measure farmer knowledge, attitudes, and interest in adopting additional conservation practices; assess field day participants' learning; and track outreach metrics including video views, email engagement, and event attendance.