UC studies flowering hedgerows' ability to attract pollinators

Farmers usually bring in white-boxed beehives to pollinate their blueberries, almonds, avocados and other plants. However, since honeybees are expensive and colonies in decline, one UC Berkeley researcher is assessing whether lining fields with flowering shrubs and bushes will naturally attract a sufficient number of pollinators to the farm, according to a story in the Sacramento Bee.

Claire Kremen, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley, said the hedgerows can include a variety of plants with an eye toward providing pollinators with nectar from early spring until fall.

Research by farm advisors and farmers have already demonstrated the usefulness of on-farm hedgerows.

More than 20 years ago, Rachael Long, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Yolo County, was inspired by a visit to John Anderson's aptly named Hedgerow Farms in Winters.

"Jeepers, not only do we enhance biodiversity, but we can change our landscape to favor beneficial insects," she recalled thinking.

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