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Initiative Looks to Increase Pollinator Habitat07-16-15 | News

Initiative Looks to Increase Pollinator Habitat

Feed a Bee campaign partners can receive a pollinator seed mix from Ernst Seeds that includes wildflowers such as slender mountainmint, wild bergamot and purple coneflower.

Individuals and organizations that are willing to dedicate land to the establishment of suitable habitat for pollinators can get assistance from the Feed a Bee campaign, which will provide bulk seed compliments of Bayer CropScience and Ernst Conservation Seeds.

Those who become partners in the campaign will receive a pollinator seed mix from Ernst Seeds that includes wildflowers that bloom from spring to fall including slender mountainmint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). It is being advised that the seeds be planted according to USDA Pollinator Program guidelines at a rate of four pounds per acre.

"The collaboration with Ernst Seeds is an integral part of our Feed a Bee initiative," said Dr. Becky Langer-Curry, manager of the North American Bee Care Program. "Their participation in the campaign will help contribute to acres of bee forage that we're aiming to help establish across the U.S. this year.

Founded in 1964, Ernst Seeds sells over 400 species of native and naturalized seeds and live plant materials. Its production operations include more than 8,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania, additional farmland in Florida and cooperative growing relationships in Maryland, North Carolina and Oregon.

Bayer's initiative with Ernst Seeds is the most recent in a series of collaborations that Bayer is forging as part of this recently launched campaign that has a goal of growing 50 million flowers and providing additional forage acreage for bees in 2015.

States Andy Ernst, vice president of Ernst Conservation Seeds, "This ambitious initiative has already seen a remarkable response from groups and individuals who want to improve and increase native habitat for pollinators. With the program still in its early stages, we believe it has tremendous potential to benefit pollinators on a large scale nationwide."

More information can be found here.