Pollinator Habitat for Great Lakes Region Farms and Orchards

IN-PERSON TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND OTHER PRODUCERS AS WELL AS CROP AND PESTICIDE ADVISORS!

Establishing and maintaining pollinator habitat within the agricultural landscape can result in win-win outcomes for both agricultural producers and the pollinators that are vital to sustaining our food supply and natural ecosystems. Pollinator Partnership invites members of the agricultural community to participate in this upcoming in-person workshop to increase knowledge of practices that both support pollinator conservation and benefit the health of agricultural lands!

Continuing Education Credits (CEC) will be available for MDARD Pesticide Applicator Certification. The seminar is geared towards farmers that will be creating pollinator friendly habitat to support bees and other pollinators as well as agricultural best practices for pollinator safe pesticide use. CEC Categories: 1A (field crops), 1B (vegetable crops), and 1C (fruit crops) and private core (which is for farmers growing agricultural commodities).

MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance) Phase 1 accreditation will also be offered. Any farmer interested in MAEAP verification can use this workshop/field day to learn about this environmental topic of pollinator support that will improve the environmental performance of their farming systems.

Through this full-day course, attendees will increase their awareness of Midwestern pollinator species, their habitat requirements, and their economic importance. Attendees will build knowledge of the multiple benefits gained from creating pollinator and beneficial insect habitat within the agricultural landscape, including in non-pollinator dependent croplands. Participants will learn about the technical aspects of successfully creating and managing different installation types and implementing Integrated Pest Management practices. Registrants will also participate in a guided field tour and have the opportunity to talk with farm and land managers who have integrated habitat into their management schemes, as well as to see habitat installations in action.

Featuring talks by:

1) Rufus Issacs - Department of Entomology, Michigan State University

• Research in his lab continues to develop components of Integrated Crop Pollination systems within a holistic view of farm management for pollination. Research also supports pest management in Michigan berry crops through development of monitoring, biocontrol, and cultural control tactics that can be integrated with selective insecticides within IPM programs coupled with longer-term studies to understand the ecology and behavior of arthropod pests and their natural enemies.

2) Dr. Meghan Milbrath - Department of Entomology, Michigan State University

• Dr. Meghan Milbrath is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, and the coordinator of the MSU Pollinator Initiative. She studies and teaches about the health of honey bees and other pollinators. Meghan received a degree in biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN; a MPH from Tulane University, and her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan. She was a postdoctoral researcher studying honey bee diseases at Michigan State University and Swedish Agricultural University in Ultuna Sweden. She is passionate about pollinator nutrition and teaches about planting for pollinators around the state.

3) Connie Crancer - Project Wingspan Michigan State Coordinator and NRCS Pollinator Liaison

• Connie is a Michigan resident who attained a BS Horticulture at Michigan State University and MS Terrestrial Ecology at the University of Michigan. She retired from the University of MI Botanical Gardens and Arboretum after 26 yrs leaving as their Native Plant Specialist on the Natural Areas Team and worked on various restoration and native plant establishment projects. She was Pollinator Partnership’s (P2) Michigan Project Wingspan State Coordinator and is currently P2’s Michigan NRCS Pollinator Liaison. She lives and works on an active farm that focuses on sustainable farming practices for pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Come prepared for the full-day workshop:

1) Bring a 'brown bag' lunch with you. Lunch will not be provided.

2) Bring personal water bottles, hats, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and be dressed for local weather conditions for the afternoon walking field tour.

3) We recommend bringing notebooks and pens/pencils for the classroom sessions.

Thank you!