A University of Kentucky (UK) entomology doctoral student, Bernadette Mach, has developed a list of bee-friendly trees and shrubs for the Ohio Valley region. The list can help homeowners, who desire to participate in bee conservation efforts, find the right plants for their yards. In the past 10 years, researchers estimate that pollinator populations have declined between 30 and 60 percent, depending on the pollinator. While much of the attention has focused on dwindling honeybee populations due to colony collapse disorder, native bee populations including bumblebees, mason bees and many other solitary bee species, are also on the decline. Mach started her research project in the summer of 2014. It is the first comprehensive study of its kind. The project has been supported by grants from the Bayer North American Bee Care Center, the Horticultural Research Institute, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and UK’s Office of the Vice President for Research.

The full list of bee-friendly trees and shrubs is titled, “Plants Bees Like Best," and is available online. 

Thank a Government Employee This Week

This is Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) — a week set aside to recognize the work done by government employees at local, state, and federal levels. There are nearly 22 million government employees in the United States.  Don't forget to say “thank you” to yours for what they do every day.

Ag Secretary Perdue Pledges USDA Support in Face of Heartland Flooding

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue pledged the full resources and support of the USDA in response to severe flooding occurring in many states across the center of the country.  Representatives of relevant USDA agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, the Office of Rural Development, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will be on the ground gathering information and assisting members of the agriculture community with their needs as they prepare to assess the damage. 

Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “The people of the American agriculture community are made of hardy stock and can withstand their fair share of hardship, but just the same, they should know that their USDA stands with them during this natural calamity. We have seen levee breaks and flooding in the wake of storms, some of which have caused the loss of life, and USDA is ready to assist in any way we can. We have USDA employees in every county in this nation, and our people will be visible as they work to support people battling the flooding.

As always, our thoughts and prayers are with our agriculture community, but our resources will be with them too.”

Popcorn Board Seeks Eligible Board Members

The Popcorn Board is a non-profit check-off organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors to raise awareness of popcorn as a versatile, whole-grain snack.

The Popcorn Board continually seeks eligible persons to serve and encourages participation by women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities from individual processor companies.

To request more information about serving on the Popcorn Board or its committees, please contact Genny Bertalmio at (312)821-0217.

Speak Up: Cover Crop Survey Seeks Farmer Participation

Cover crops can improve soil health, conserve resources and improve farm profitability. Now, your experience with what works and doesn't work can help shape the future of cover crop initiatives nationwide. Farmers who plant cover crops, used to plant cover crops, or have never tried cover crops are all encouraged to take this short survey, now in its fifth year. 

Please share this with your local farmers and producers.

The survey can be accessed here link. 

The number of survey questions they will be asked depends on their farm(s), but they can expect the survey to take five to 10 minutes in most cases, or slightly longer for somebody who is growing a wide variety of crops and using cover crops in various ways.

Data from these surveys are used to help guide policy, research, and education on cover crops nationwide.

For educational materials on cover crops, visit SARE's Cover Crops Topic Room.

The survey is being conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center, USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, and the American Seed Trade Association, with help from Penton Media through their Corn and Soybean Digest publication.

If you have issues with this survey or questions, please direct them to Chad Watts at the Conservation Technology Information Center at (765)494-9555.