Description
Pollinators such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats and insects play a crucial role in the production of most fruits and vegetables. They also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils and support wildlife. Studies show that pollinator populations are in decline because of a loss of feeding and nesting habitats, pollution and the misuse of pesticides. In this 6-week course, learn how to protect our agricultural economy and food supply with the Master Pollinator Steward program.
Session topics include an insect overview, plant-pollinator relationships, honey bees, native bees and other pollinators, and pollinators in nature and agriculture. This course qualifies as Advanced Training for Extension Master Gardeners and Missouri Master Naturalists.
Where: Lecture presentations are via Zoom with other sites in Missouri, field trips/lab sessions are local and in-person. If more than one person from a site is registered, I would encourage you to meet at your county MU Extension center to participate in the classes. We will meet in the basement meeting room of the Extension office in Kirksville for anyone wanting to watch the classes with others, and have discussion afterwards.
Course overview:
April 6 - Insects overview
April 13 - Plant-pollinator interactions
April 20 - Honey bees
April 27 - Native bees and other pollinators
May 4 - Pollinators in nature and agriculture, part 1
May 11 - Pollinators in nature and agriculture, part 2
Audience: Beekeepers, folks considering beekeeping, folks who want to help bees without keeping bees
Facilitator: Tamra Reall (reallt@missouri.edu)
Registration:
Missouri: Adair and surrounding counties with specialist Jennifer Schutter, https://extension.missouri.edu/events/missouri-master-pollinator-steward-1677018320
Missouri: Boone and Cole counties with specialist Dhruba Dhakal, https://extension.missouri.edu/events/master-pollinator-steward-cole-and-boone-counties
Missouri: Johnson County with specialist Kathi Mecham, https://extension.missouri.edu/events/missouri-master-pollinator-steward-johnson-county
Missouri: Kansas City area: Clay, Jackson, Platte counties with specialist Tamra Reall, https://extension.missouri.edu/events/master-pollinator-steward-jackson-clay-and-platte-counties
Not from Missouri or your county isn’t listed? Register here: https://bit.ly/MPS-2023