Ag Opportunities Volume 18 Number 7 July 2007 Agroforestry: Sustaining Native Bee Habitat For Crop Pollination (from Center for Agroforestry, Agroforestry Note: #32) Over one hundred crop species in North America require a visit from an insect pollinator to be most productive. In the past, native bees and feral honey bees could meet the pollination needs of small orchards, tomato and pumpkin fields, and berry patches, because these farms were typically adjacent to areas of habitat that harbored important pollinators. Today, many farms are large and, at the same time, have less nearby habitat to support native pollinators. To ensure adequate pollination services, producers now rely on European honey bees. Research, however, shows that native bees can be important pollinators in agricultural fields as long as enough habitats are available. Whether growing a hedgerow or windbreak, managing a riparian buffer, or farming near forests, agroforestry practices can increase the overall diversity of plants and physical structure in a landscape and, as a result, provide habitat for native pollinators. This is especially true if consideration is given to the specific habitat needs of bees when designing an agroforestry project. For example, a wide variety of flowering trees and shrubs can be incorporated into a hedgerow, or a diverse understory of insect-pollinated plants can be used to augment a riparian buffer. Planting specific trees for timber can also provide habitat for pollinators; black locust and maple, for example, supply abundant flowers and are excellent hardwoods that can at some time be harvested. Another simple way to provide pollinator habitat is to leave snags (standing dead trees or branches) since many important native bee species nest in a snag’s old beetle tunnels. Agroforestry plantings have indirect benefits for crop pollination as well. For example, agroforestry practices help reduce winds, making it easier for pollinators to fly and visit flowers. Less wind creates slightly elevated temper atures around plantings, which increases the time that pollinators can be active. Finally, research shows that windbreaks and other linear plantings can serve as buffers to drifting pesticides, which helps protect pollinators from chemicals used in adjacent fields. European honey bees and native bees are the most important pollinators of insect-pollinated crops in the United States. Bees are superior – and frequently the only – crop pollinators because they transport pollen and typically visit flowers from a single plant species during each foraging trip, which ensures that the correct pollen is transferred from plant to plant. Bees also forage out from a central nest and therefore stay in the area around a crop when their nests are close at hand. These behaviors set bees apart from butterflies and other pollinators, which tend to drift across the landscape visiting a variety of flower species to gather nectar. This Agroforestry Note pertains to all bees, but emphasis is on providing habitat for native species, not the European honey bee. Given the demise of many managed honey bee colonies – from disease, parasitic mites, and Africanized bees – it is important to diversify the pollinators upon which many growers rely. Hundreds of species of native bees are available for crop pollination. These unmanaged bees provide a free and valuable service. Some native bee species, like mason and bumble bees, are active when conditions are too cold and wet for honey bees. In addition, native bees collectively are more versatile than honey bees. For example, some native species are able to buzz-pollinate flowers, which honey bees cannot do; this vibration releases pollen from deep inside the anthers of certain flowers. Plants, such as tomatoes, cranberries, and blueberries, produce larger and more abundant fruit when buzz pollinated. Finally, in some situations, like hybrid seed production, native bees may improve the efficiency of foraging honey bees by causing honey bees to move between rows of cultivars. Crop-pollinating native bees have three basic habitat needs: * First, they must have access to a diversity of plants with overlapping blooming times so that flowers are available to forage from early in the spring until late in the fall. And, because native bees come in a range of sizes, it is important to provide flowers of various sizes, shapes, and colors, in order to support a diverse community of bees. * Second, they need places to nest. Most native bees are solitary, and none build the wax or paper structures we associate with honey bees or wasps. Most bees nest in small warrens of tunnels and cells they construct underground. Others nest in narrow tunnels often left behind by beetle larvae in dead trees, and a few use the soft pith in some plants. Bumble bees – the most familiar social bee group native to the United States – require small cavities, either in tree boles, underground, or under clumps of fallen grass. Often, they move into old rodent burrows. Whether underground or in snags, most solitary bees spend most of the year maturing in their nest (brood) cells. In these cells, they are vulnerable to mechanical nest disturbances such as deep soil tillage or tree removal. Bumble bees are different. Because their nests are started anew each spring by overwintering queens, bumble bees need both cavities to raise their young as well as undisturbed duff for queens to burrow and hibernate through the winter. * Finally, bees need protection from most pesticides. Insecticides are primarily broad-spectrum and are therefore deadly to bees. Furthermore, indiscriminate herbicide use can remove many of the flowers that bees need for food. Many agroforestry practices naturally provide habitat for bees. For example, riparian forest buffers, hedgerows, and windbreaks probably already include bee-pollinated plants, stable untilled areas for ground nests, snags and pithy stems for tunnelnesting solitary bees, and cover for bumble bee colonies. Understory plantings, like those found in forest farming or silvopasture, also may provide forage or stable ground with patchy bare areas. Certain trees – such as black locust, maple, black cherry, horse chestnut, yellow (tulip) poplar, persimmon, and basswood – incorporated into any agroforestry practice can be fantastic sources of pollen and nectar, as well as produce a harvestable wood product. Also, keep in mind that other places – outside of those areas in agroforestry – may be providing these same habitat needs for crop pollinators. These areas might include fallow fields; natural areas; gardens; edges of ponds, ditches, fields, and roads; and temporary bee pastures (e.g., where inexpensive seed – like alfalfa, canola, or clover – has been planted specifically for bees or wildlife). Observing pollinators and their habitat on a farm can be instructive. Try to identify plants that support the most bees. Observe flowers during sunny times of the day and watch for bumble bees and other insects. Also, look for bumble bee nests or inground nests of solitary bees. To find these sites, search for holes in the ground or bees flying low as if looking for something besides flowers. Once you know where bees are living and foraging, try to protect these resources from damaging disturbance and pesticides. For example, avoid tilling the surface during bloom and only till deeply when it is absolutely necessary; never apply insecticides to plants in flower; consider establishing a fifty-foot perimeter buffer of unsprayed crop area; apply herbicides in the most targeted way possible (e.g., spot spraying), and leave snags whenever they do not pose a hazard. To enhance habitat for native bee communities, increase the diversity and abundance of flowering plants growing on a site and add nesting habitat. Consider pollinator needs when choosing trees for windbreaks, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, forest farming, or alley cropping operations. Other options include overseeding silvopasture with legumes or other flowering plants, or adding berry-producing shrubs to riparian forest buffers, windbreaks or hedgerows. Enhancing any agroforestry practice by erecting bee blocks, or removing vegetation from small patches of sunny, south-facing, welldrained soil will increase the likelihood of bees. These techniques will help increase the diversity and abundance of crop pollinators, and will likely help crop pollination. One or more of these techniques can be incorporated easily into many existing agroforestry practices. They also provide habitat for wildlife and other beneficial insects, such as predators and parasites of pests. Finally, enhancing pollinator habitat is an opportunity to educate landowners and community residents about the value of this habitat for the ecosystem and for the bottom line. To view the full publication with pictures go to: http://www.unl.edu/nac/agroforestrynotes/an32g06.pdf ********************************************************************** *** In Print/On-Line *** *Growing Black Walnuts for Nut Production* The focus of this guide is toward planting, managing and harvesting top-quality black walnut nuts for sales at the retail or wholesale level from an orchard practice, similar to pecan and other nut trees. Available online at: http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/agroforestry/af1011.pdf *Tax Considerations for the Establishment of Agroforestry Practices* Agroforestry tax advantages can also be derived from four areas: 1) reforestation, 2) business investment, 3) conservation tax laws, and 4) long-term capital gains. Available online at: http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/agroforestry/af1004.pdf *Guide to Raising Meat Goats* Missouri farmer-rancher Maggie Sayer. This is an essential handbook covering planning for profitability, breed selection, understanding goat behavior, nutrition, disease prevention, shelter requirements, fencing options, transportation and handling, all types of marketing options and br eeding. Available from Back40Books, 866.596.9982. Two technical reports related to farmers’ markets were published this past spring. The first, Enhancing the Success of Farmers’ Markets is an executive summary of a large research project on Oregon’s farmers’ markets. Find it at: http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/TechReport22.pdf. The second report deals in depth with the issue of farmers’ markets that fail. Find it at: http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/techrepo rts/TechReport25.pdf. (Oregon Small Farm News, Vol 2 No 2) Wildlife Forms a series of publications created during 2006 and 2007 by the MO Dept of Conservation, USDA NRCS and MU Extension worked cooperatively to develop this series of 21 “wildlife habitat management technical fact sheets” that provide information on specific practices that can be conducted to enhance habitats for a variety of wildlife species. The complete list of these publications can currently be accessed through the Missouri NRCS website at: http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/forms/wildlife.html *Raising Fish in Farm Buildings* If you have a hog barn, poultry house or calf barn sitting empty, you could put it back into a profit- making enterprise by making some modifications to the buildings and learning some farming skills straight from the future. Laura Tiu of Ohio State University Extension Service and the Ohio Center for Aquaculture Development has been compiling information regarding raising fish in the confines of existing farm buildings. This DVD contains PowerPoint slides, 3 farmer interviews and an audience participation question and answer section. Call 866-596-9982, $24.95. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) librarians have added several new components to the online Sustainable Agriculture Tools and Guides which at long last answer your deepest questions and ponderings: What is Sustainable Agriculture? Where are the best sustainable agriculture research and information sources? How can I find sustainable agriculture people and organizations? Where can I explore educational and career opportunities? Who will fund my sustainable agriculture research project? Where can I find sustainable agriculture events and calendars? Don’t be shy, dig in! http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/agnic/susag.shtml *Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management* “This guide was developed to provide a useful and scientifically accurate reference for organic farmers and agricultural professionals searching for information on best practices, available materials and perhaps most importantly, the efficacy of materials that are permitted for use in organic systems.” Available free on the web at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/resourceguide/ *Weed ‘em and Reap* Tackling the organic farmers’ most challenging task—managing weeds—Oregon State Univ produced a 2-DVD set that “showcases tools and reduced tillage strategies for non-chemical weed management.” Features grow- ers and researchers “describing fieldtested methods for managing weeds without the use of chemicals.” Price is $19.95 each or $37.95 for the set, plus $4 shipping. Find out more from the website: http://hort.oregonstate.edu/WeedEmandReap/ ********************************************************************** *** IN THE NEWS *** Small Minority Producer Grant Program — The Rural Business- Cooperative Service announces the availability of approximately $1.1 million competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2007 for cooperatives and associations of cooperatives to assist small, minority agricultural producers. USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs hereby requests proposals from eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives interested in a competitively awarded grant. The cooperatives and associations of cooperatives will use the grant money to fund technical assistance to small, minority agricultural producers in rural areas. The maximum award per grant is $175,000. Proposals are due July 30, 2007. www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/ Farm Aid Grant Program — The mission of Farm Aid is to keep farmers on their land and to bring together family farmers, citizens, and consumers to restore family farm-centered agriculture. The Farm Aid grant pro gram supports organizations that work to maintain a family farm system of agriculture and that promote solutions to the challenges facing rural communities. Farm Aid grants are awarded in the following categories: Farm Resources, Farm Action, Food Systems, and Farm Policy. Grants range from $1,000-$40,000, with most being from $3,000-$7,500. Proposals are due Aug 31, 2007. Call 1- 800-FARM-AID. The Organic Trade Association has launched www.howtogoorganic.com. This web site is for producers and processors transitioning to organic. The web site is designed as a clearinghouse of North American resources for farmers and businesses interested in becoming organic or in creating new organic enterprises. The web site’s regional directories showcase transition resources unique to specific regions and states. Resource listings in the North American directory can be searched by topic and subtopic, by type of resource, or by state. The site also features profiles of farmers and businesses that have successfully become certified organic or that are working through the process. (Weekly Harvest Newsletter - May 30, 2007) Farmers’ Markets are an essential part of Missouri’s agricultural economy, providing an outlet for Missouri farmers to sell their produce to consumers across the state. A Look at Missouri Farmers’ Markets blog-site, offered by the MO Dept of Ag, has been created for both consumers and marketers. This site features an insight look of the markets including photos, area market news and events and ways other markets across the state are marketing their local farmers’ market. The site will also serve as a place for marketers to go to find complete farmers’ market resources. Check out the new addition to the department’s Web site at www.mda.mo.gov. 2007 Census of Agriculture - All agricultural operations, large or small, are important to U.S. agriculture but it is often difficult for the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to reach the smaller producers. This is unfortunate because census data are used by local communities, businesses, government agencies and others to make critical decisions about the future of farming and rural America. You could help improve the Census data in several ways by encouraging farmers and ranchers to sign up to receive a Census Data Form. People can sign up by calling 1.800.892.1660 between 8am and 4:30 pm MT, or online at www.nass.usda.gov/counts by encouraging recipients to complete and return the Data Forms to NASS by early February 2008. Please note: NASS will ‘finalize’ the mailing list in early August so sign up time is limited. After that, special arrangements may be made for minority outreach groups. For more information contact Cedrick Reddick at 202.720.3441 or cedric_reddick@nass.usda.gov Post cards for census promotion or data collection activity are available by contacting Cedrick Reddick ********************************************************************** *** ON THE CALENDAR *** July 10-12 — Grant Writing II, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. July 12 — Twilight Horticulture Tour, Lawrence County, MO. Call 417-466-3102, http://extension.missouri.edu/greene/TWILIGHT%20GARDEN%20TOUR07.pdf July 19 - Missouri Exchange Online Marketplace Workshop, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-3234. July 21 - MO Christmas Tree Assn Summer Meeting, Festus, MO. Call 573/243-5501. July 23-25 — Greenhouse Management Short Course, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-9631 or e-mail trinkleind@missouri.edu July 28 — Goat Cheesemaking Workshop, Langston Univ, OK. Call 405-466-6103. July 29-31 - Missouri Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Summer Tour, Perryville, MO. Call 573-751-8467. July 31-Aug 3 — 13th Annual Aquaculture Recirculating Systems Short Course, Ithaca, NY. http://www.bee.cornell.edu/outreach/aquaculture/short-course/. Aug 9-11 — Red Cedar–Challenge or Opportunity Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. Aug 9-19 - MO State Fair, Sedalia, MO. Aug 10 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402-472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu Aug 14 - Grant Writing III, Springfield, MO. Call 417-732-6485. Aug 17 - From Recipe to Reality Seminar, Chicago, IL. Call 402-472-2819. Aug 18 - Canine Care Workshop, Kirksville, MO. Call 573-751-4570. Aug 23-24 - Grazing School, Mexico, MO. Call 573-581-3231. Aug 25 - Canine Care Workshop, Springfield, MO. Call 573-751-4570. Sept 5 - Missouri Cut Flowers: From Field to Market, Mountain Grove, MO. Call 417-547.7533. Sept 6 — TomatoFest, Bradford Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. Sept 7-9 — State Master Gardener Conference, Kirksville, MO. http://extension.missouri.edu/adair/MGConf/index.shtml Sept 11-12 — Cultured Dairy Products Short Course, Wisconsin. Call 608-263-1672. Sept 22-23 — Annual Ozark Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Expo, Columbia, MO. www.ozarkre.org Oct 12-14 — 28th Annual Ozark Area Community Congress, Willow Springs, MO. Call 417-372-2479, www.ozarkareacommunitycongress.org Oct 13 — 5th Annual Chestnut Roast, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234. Oct 23-25 - Grazing School, Bois d’ Arc, MO. Call 417-831-5246 x 3) Oct 29 - From Recipe to Reality, Lincoln, NE. Call 402-472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu Nov 1-3 - National Small Farm Today Conference and Trade Show, Columbia, MO. Call 800-633-2535. Nov 2-3 - MO State Beekeepers Assn Fall Meeting, Hannibal, MO. www.mostatebeekeepers.org Nov 30-Dec 1 - Livestock Symposium, Kirksville, MO. http://missourilivestock.com/ University of Missouri Field Day Schedule July 10 — Turfgrass and Ornamental Field Day at South Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-4450. July 11 — Weed and Pest management Field Day at Bradford Farm, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. July 24-27 — Crop Injury and Diagnostic Clinic at Bradford Research Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. Aug 2 — Greenley Research Center Field Day, Novelty, MO. Call 660-739-4410. Aug 25 — Integrated Bobwhite Quail Management in Modern Agriculture at Bradford Research Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. Aug 28 — Graves-Chapple Farm Field Day, Rock Port, MO. Call 660-744-6231. Aug 31 — Delta Research Center Field Day, Portageville, MO. Call 573-379-5431. Sept 5 — Hundley-Whaley Center Field Day, Albany, MO. Call 660-726-5610. Sept 6 — Tomato Festival at Bradford Research Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. Sept 11 — FFA Field Day at Bradford Research Center, Columbia, MO. Call 573-884-7945. Sept 13 — Ag Education Day at Southwest Center, Mt Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148. Sept 14 — Southwest Center Field Day, Mt Vernon, MO. Call 417-466-2148. Sept 15 — South Farm Beef Research and Teaching Farm Field Day, Columbia, MO. Call 573-882-4450. Oct 4 — Ag Sciences Day at Wurdack Farm, Cook Station, MO. Call 573-882-4450. Oct 13 — Chestnut Roast at Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin, MO. Call 573-882-3234. Green Hills Farm Project Farm Walks Green Hills Farm Project welcomes all families to our open farm walks. Always bring your children! Please call ahead to advise the host family of the number attending and to get directions. The host family provides main meat course and drinks. Please bring lawn chairs and covered dish. Come on out and join us for a great time of fellowship and sharing on our farms! July 21st - Saturday, 5pm, Jordan & Anne Bentley, Brookfield, MO, 660.412.3399. Jordan and Anne should be in their new home by then. They grow broiler chickens, turkeys, and lambs. Flock management and marketing ideas. August 16th - 5pm, Tom & Paula Parker, Richmond, MO, 816.470.3276. Using MiG (management-intensive grazing) techniques, the Parker's are successfully managing animals and land to produce great-tasting beef, lamb, hogs, and poultry which is marketed locally. September 20th - 5pm, Allen & Tauna Powell, Laclede, MO, 660-963-2685. Soil, water, and grass management with the use of MiG and animal impact. Cattle, sheep, pastured hens. Web site sales of beef, lamb, eggs, soap, raw wool, sheep pelts, wool products including blankets, batting, roving, socks are coming! Tours to the seed cleaning operation are available if there is interest. www.mastersranch.com or atpowell@mcmsys.com October 20th - Saturday, 11am, Kerry & Barb Buchmayer, Purdin, MO 660.244.5858, Organic milk, butter, and eggs. Learn about managing soil and animals organically at Green Hills Harvest. Tours of the bottling plant available for those interested. www.ghharvest.com or ghharvest@juno.com November 15th - 4pm, Ben & Nancy Coleman, Callao, MO, 660.768.5743. Ben and family have been cattle ranching for years. Come and see their management practices; come early since it will be getting dark soon at this meeting. Heated outbuilding for meal and meeting. December - no meeting in December Growing Growers Workshops For more information 913-488-1270 or growers@ksu.edu July 9 - The Taste & Nutrition of Local Vegetables, location to be determined. Aug 13 - Starting a New Farm, Baldwin City, KS. Sept 9 - Pests, Diseases & Weeds, Independence, MO. Oct 1 - Integrating Meat and Dairy into Vegetables, Weston, MO. Oct 20 - Business Management for Small Farms, Kearney, MO. Nov 3 - TBD, Location to be determined MO Vegetable Growers Association Tours July — Northwest MO. Call 816-279-1691 or fowlert@missouri.edu Aug 7 — Northeast MO—Steve Salt’s Farm, near Kirksville as well as another farm or two in the area. Call 660-665-8966 or fowlert@missouri.edu Aug — East Central MO—two or three veggie farms within the Mississippi River Hills area that is keen on grape growing, wineries and agritourism. Call 573-883-3548 or keeleyk@missouri.edu