Empowering Agricultural Professionals with Knowledge and Resources About Practices that Support Biodiversity While Benefiting the Farm

Commodities

• Agronomic: hops
• Fruits: grapes
• Vegetables: tomatoes

Practices

• Education and Training: workshop
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity
• Pest Management: integrated pest management

Agriculture professionals, and sustainable farmers they serve, are prospering from WFA’s education about beneficial birds and insects. These animals provide a gateway to whole farm stewardship due to their pest control services and their dependence on water-filtering and carbon-storing habitat. Building on our efforts and incorporating Salmon Safe’s water quality expertise, we will expand our reach to agricultural professionals in California’s San Joaquin Valley and in the Interior Columbia Basin of Oregon, Washington and Idaho; areas where producers have less access to experts with sustainable agriculture knowledge. Growers adopt best management practices when they have access to quality information (Baumgart-Getz et al. 2012) and technical support (Garbach et al. 2017). This project’s robust, technical information will train ag profession­­­­als the on latest research, tools and resources that support conservation biological control while also protecting water quality and fostering climate resilience.

By guiding farmers to implement strategies embedded in our Farmland Flyways (installing nest boxes and perches), Farmland Wildways (planting native habitat in patches and hedgerows), and Farmland Waterways (conserving and restoring connected riparian habitat), agricultural professionals will achieve crucial agroecological and conservation targets. As a result, farmers will benefit from a decrease in pests and pesticide use. Wild nature itself—the birds, insects, salmon and other aquatic life—will also reap the benefits of diversifying farms.

Ag professionals will be educated through 4 field days (one in each state), 4 producer/researcher profiles and 4 interactive webinars. The profiles will likely be with the producers who host field days, and with researchers whose work is related to the farm’s sustainability practices. The webinars will cover beneficial insect and bird habitat, water quality and climate resilience. Post-training evaluations will measure impact, and the profiles, recorded webinars and related WFA resources will be available for professionals to refer to when working with producers.

1. By August 2026, at least 300 agricultural professionals in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho will deepen their expertise in biodiversity conservation practices by attending one of four field days. These events will empower them with the latest research, actionable strategies, and practical tools to guide farmers toward sustainable practices that reduce pesticide use, integrate natural avian and insect predators, protect water resources, and enhance farm climate resilience. By strengthening these professionals’ capacity, this project will support sustainable production, conservation, and climate adaptation across the region.
2. By September 2026, over 400 agricultural professionals in the four states will participate in a series of four expert-led webinars, which will provide practical, cost-effective insights and resources on biodiversity conservation. The webinars will equip professionals with evidence-based strategies to guide farmers in reducing pesticide use, improving water quality, and bolstering climate resilience. This expanded access to resources will extend best practices to a larger network, amplifying the impact on regional sustainability.
3. By December 2026, more than 750 agricultural professionals will gain insights into real-world biodiversity conservation practices through four in-depth profiles. These profiles will highlight innovative practices implemented by farmers along with researchers who will discuss how these practices provide benefits for pest control, water quality and climate resilience. By showcasing regional success stories, these profiles will inspire and empower professionals to advocate for and assist with broader implementation across farms, fostering a collaborative network for conservation in the West.