Project Overview
Commodities
- Fruits: berries (blueberries), berries (other)
- Animals: bees
Practices
- Crop Production: pollination
- Education and Training: farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research
Proposal abstract:
The mason bee (Osmia) industry remains small compared to
other managed bee industries (i.e. honey bees, bumble bees, and
alfalfa leafcutting bees). A major limiting factor of industry
growth is slow bee propagation and having only a small set of
target crops (primarily orchard crops). By expanding the number
of managed mason bee species targeting specific crops that would
benefit from diversified pollination (e.g. berry crops), we can
open new crop markets for bee producers, and help alleviate
pollination deficits for growers. Managed bee population growth
also needs to be more sustainable. One primary issue facing the
industry is unintended negative consequences on wild bee
populations through extractive harvesting of mason bees from wild
populations. We need to develop more sustainable ways of
propagating bees, either on farms or in other landscapes, that
reduce impacts to wild populations. Here, we will test management
strategies for bee propagation of two newly managed
Osmia species targeted for berry crop pollination
(O. ribifloris and O. bruneri). This will
include propagation efforts along an urban-wildland gradient
through collaboration with community members, and propagation on
commercial berry farms. With the aim of building up already
managed populations, instead of harvesting from wild bee
populations. Outcomes of this work include sustainable bee
management recommendations for bee producers and early testing of
two newly managed bee species for berry crop pollination.
Project objectives from proposal:
Research Objective 1: Develop strategies for farming
Osmia ribifloris and O. bruneri to increase
propagation while reducing extractive pressures on local bee
populations.
Research Objective 2: Test the use of O. ribifloris
and O. bruneri as managed pollinators at commercial berry
farms.
Education Objective 1: Develop a community outreach
program to both increase community member involvement in bee
propagation strategies and community education about solitary
bees.
Education Objective 2: Facilitate Farmer-to-Farmer
educational outreach days to educate peers about the use of
Osmia bees for crop pollination.
Education Objective 3: Create technical publications on
the use of Osmia ribifloris and O. bruneri for crop
pollination, and best management practices.
Education Objective 4: Create hands on video
demonstrations of Osmia management techniques, available
for free online.