[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Native pollinator workshop now available[/title][fusion_text]Thursday, September 3rd 2015
Farmers and others interested in learning how diversifying a farm landscape can create habitat for native pollinators while also generating new farm income should attend a field day hosted by Noreen Thomas at her farm near Moorhead on Saturday, September 12. In 2014, Thomas received a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Demonstration Grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to conduct a three year demonstration on her farm. For her project, she planted a variety of flowers and herbs to provide pollinator habitat and constructed different types of housing to appeal to native pollinators. Thomas also turns some of the dried herbs and flowers into value-added products like teas and bouquets. “There are more than 400 kinds of native bees in Minnesota. They do not provide honey but work more effectively at pollinating trees and veggies than honeybees do,” said Thomas. Thomas farms with her husband, Lee and son, Thomas on 1,200 acres; certified organic since 2002. The family grows soybeans, small grains, and hay, and raises Icelandic sheep and chickens. They also grow fruit and vegetables for sale to local markets and restaurants and offer tours to school groups and the public. The field day will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will feature tours, demonstrations, activities, and lunch. The event is free; please register at www.eventbrite.com (search words “native bees”) to assist with the lunch count. While children are welcome, pets are not. Please leave dogs at home.
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