Our current farming system is hurting pollinators.

Big agriculture is taking over large pieces of our world. When land is planted in a monoculture of corn, wheat, or soy from horizon to horizon, there is no habitat left. In the past small farms had brushy hedge rows and a variety of crops that still allowed some space for insects to live. Farms benefit from a healthy ecosystem of insects including pollinators and predators that keep pest insects under control. Industrial agriculture has become toxic to insects, using neonicotinoid insecticides to eliminate all insects in the area. Healthy insect populations feed birds and many other species who rely on them as their protein source.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system for farmers to control pests without killing everything. It involves getting to know their field and spotting pest populations before they can get out of control. Farmers can encourage predator insects like wasps by providing flowers along fence rows. Planting many smaller fields of different crops also provides more habitat for beneficial insects and less area for one pest to cause damage. You can encourage your local farmers to use IPM. Ask about their pest management practices at the farmer’s market.

Shopping at the farmers market is a great way to find the best pollinator friendly produce. Small farmers are more likely to grow organic, a variety of crops, and have wildflower hedgerows, all practices that benefit pollinators. Buying local can help influence the farmers in your area to protect pollinators. Participating in a CSA (community supported agriculture) can allow you to form a close relationship with a local farmer who will listen to concerns about protecting insects. There is probably a CSA near you that will deliver a sustainable box of food to your house every week.

Local small organic farms that value wildlife is the direction we need to head into the future. Encourage farmers in your area to move in a sustainable direction by supporting them with your shopping choices and sharing your message about valuing our pollinators. Remind the next farmer you see that lady bugs eat aphids for free, but only if they have insecticide free habitat.