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​Farming with Beneficial Insects

• Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Xerces Society and Hudson Valley Farm Hub Presents this Conservation Biological Control Short Course at The Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge.  For all details, visit this event posting.  

This class is geared toward farmers, NRCS, SWCD, Cooperative Extension, and state department of agriculture employees, as well as crop consultants, natural resource specialists, and non-governmental conservation organization staff.

Topics include:

• The importance of beneficial insects – predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests.
• An overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).
• How to identify beneficial insects and distinguish them from other insects.
• How to recognize the habitat needs of beneficial insects and identify habitat deficiencies.
• The design and implementation of habitat improvements, including site preparation, insectary strip plantings, hedgerows, beetle banks, and more.
• The current best management practices that minimize land use impacts on beneficial insects and mitigate exposure to insecticides.
• How to access USDA conservation programs for financial and technical support.
• Agricultural best practices such as timing cover crops to flower at different times of year, crop rotation planning, using parasitic wasps for insect management and choosing equipment and sprays that do the least harm to insects.     

For all details, visit this event posting, and for more information contact Jillian Vento, The Xerces Society, 503-232-6639 or email pollinators@xerces.org.

Last updated October 26, 2016