Date: May 29th
Location: Zirkle Mattawa – 22034 Rd G SW, Mattawa, WA 99349
The Xerces Society and farm partners invite growers and agricultural professionals to attend an upcoming field day focused on pollinator habitat and farm resilience. Over the past few years, the Xerces Society and farm partners have installed and evaluated hedgerows, pollinator meadows, and cover crops across five states in collaboration with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
This field day will include
- How-tos of habitat installation and maintenance
- Hands-on observation and evaluation of pollinator and beneficial insect activity
- Integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM) and habitat protection guidance
- Research data and modeling results on the carbon sequestration and water-use benefits of pollinator habitat
- Information on Bee Better Certification
Speakers include
- Lisa Wasko-DeVetter, Washington State University – connecting hedgerow habitat to pollinators and IPPM in small fruit
- Paige Asberry, Zirkle Orchard Compliance Team – sharing experience with Bee Better Certification and how it fits with other certifications and markets
- Staff from Zirkle Fruit Company, the Xerces Society, and Columbia Basin Conservation District
Participants are encouraged to RSVP for lunch and visit LinkedIn and Facebook event pages for more information.
Event Schedule
- 9:00 AM – Welcome and introductions
- 9:20 AM – Habitat tour and technical sessions
- 10:20 AM – Bee Better Certification overview and grower perspectives
- 10:50 AM – Small fruit pollination presentation
- 11:20 AM – Field demonstration and IPPM discussion
- 12:00 PM – Closing remarks
- 12:10 PM – Lunch
Contact
Michael Trier
Inland Northwest Pollinator Habitat Specialist
Xerces Society
michael.trier@xerces.org
