USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Takes Action to Help Bees
August 10, 2016
From: Garden Center Magazine
The money will fund research aimed at expanding nutritious forage and more
WASHINGTON, DC and COLUMBUS, OH— Over $2.8 million was awarded toward pollinator protection in ornamental horticulture through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). The funds will be distributed over a period of two years, with additional funds available over a total five year period, to a collaboration of researchers facilitated by Dr. Cristi Palmer, IR-4 Project.
According to a press release from AmericanHort, the research will further define pollinator attractiveness of landscape plants to help increase the supply of nutritious forage for bees and to identify key plants for targeted integrated pest management approaches to reduce pesticide risk to bees. Pesticide residue analysis will also be included.
A significant effort will be devoted to determine consumer preference of plant labeling, education and development of pollinator protective language. Bumblebees and native bees will be the focus, since managed honey bees are rarely, if ever, utilized in the green industry. The results will directly benefit nursery and greenhouse growers, the landscape industry, garden centers, and consumers.
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