Native Pollinators in Agriculture Field Day - Orange County

Aug 29, 2012
Growers and their collaborators will be interested in an important, informative, timely, and free workshop - the Native Pollinators in Agriculture Field Day, coming up on Tuesday, September 11.  It will be held at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, CA from 8 am until 2:15 pm. Lunch is included.
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP DUE TO THE LIMITED SPACE ON THE BUS AND TO ASSIST WITH FOOD ORDERING
 
As you know, specialty crop agriculture in California is highly dependent on pollinators, both managed and native to assure a bountiful supply of tree fruits and nuts, citrus, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, and almost any berry you can think of. This is a valuable opportunity to hear about activities nationally and in California to enhance native pollinators, and to address the health of managed bees.  Participants will hear directly from California farmers and California researchers. 

Agenda: The field day will start with coffee and a welcome at the Orange County Great Park.  Travel by bus to the Orchard Hills Avocado Grove to see native pollinators in action.  Introduced to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Plant Project, learn about why native pollinators matter and get an update on colony collapse disorder.

 Return to the Orange County Great Park for a tour of the farm and food lab. Lunch will feature pollinator-dependent foods. The afternoon program will feature an overview of the Native Pollinators in Agriculture Project, the benefits that native pollinators contribute to California agriculture, and a panel discussion of growers’ experiences with native pollinators.

There is no cost to attend. Coffee and lunch will be provided free of charge on the tour.

Detailed agenda:

8:00 a.m. Coffee and Registration

8:30 a.m. Welcome and Filed Day Objectives 
   Rudy Rice- Chairman, Native Pollinators in Agriculture Project 
   AG Kawamura- Co-Chair, Solutions from the Land Project

9:00 a.m. Orchard Hills Avocado Grove 
  Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Plant Project 
                           - Michael O'Connell, Executive Director, IRC     

Why Pollinators Matter 
                - Mace Vaughan, Pollination Program Director, Xerces Society 
 
 Colony Collapse Disorder Update 
                - Eric Mussen, UC Davis Apiculturist

10:30 a.m. Orange County Great Park 
   Tour Farm & Food Lab and Great Park Farm

12:00 a.m. Lunch (featuring pollinator dependent foods!)

12:45 p.m. Field Day Program 
                                    Overview of NPIA Project 
                                        - Ray Beck, NASCA  
       - Ernie Shea, Project Coordinator, NPIA Project

Native Pollinator Contributions to California Agriculture 
   - Dr. Neal Williams 
        Assistant Professor of Entomology 
        UC Davis

Grower Experiences with Native Pollinators  
    (panel discussion with three growers)  

2:15 p.m. Adjourn

Rudy Rice, Chair    AG Kawamura, Chair

Native Pollinators in Agriculture Project Solutions from the Land Project
 
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP DUE TO THE LIMITED SPACE ON THE BUS AND TO ASSIST WITH FOOD ORDERING
To register for the workshop, please contact Rachel Martin at rmartin@agpollinators.org or at 
 410-252-7079.  For more information please visit http://agpollinators.org 
 
By Cheryl A. Wilen
Author - Area Integrated Pest Management Advisor - Emeritus
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