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Long summer days bring rapid growth for crops, beneficial insects and the pests they seek. This month, we showcase the nature-based solutions to pest management at Honig Vineyard, where we co-hosted a recent field day. We also highlight farm diversity efforts of a pomegranate grower we worked with to install a hedgerow and release our newest video resource about management of strawberry pests. We thank staff member Jen Paludi for her contributions to WFA, plus share two new studies about beneficial bees and butterflies and a literature review about climate smart agriculture. Finally, we share an online regenerative agriculture opportunity from Bioneers and ask you to join our Wild Sustainers Club! Enjoy this month’s News from the Wild! Honig Vineyard Field Day: Bringing Biodiversity to the Vineyard Diversifying a Pomegranate Farm Habitat & Trap Cropping for Managing Strawberry Pests Bumblebee Nests are Overheating to Fatal Levels, Study Finds New Songbird Habitat Study Unlocks Benefits for the Monarch Butterfly CAFF Literature Review: Understanding the Science Behind Climate Smart Agriculture Online Regenerative Agriculture Course: Nourishing the Soil, Healing the Planet |
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Honig Vineyard Field Day: Bringing Biodiversity to the Vineyardby Chris Benz Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems such as forests and coral reefs. Biodiversity is being reduced by climate change as temperatures warm and habitats disappear. Modern agriculture with its practice of monoculture—large plantings of a single crop—has played a role in habitat loss, but this is starting to change in the Napa Valley as growers explore ways to bring nature back to the vineyard. These new practices were on display at a field day at Honig Vineyard & Winery in Rutherford on May 30, organized by Wild Farm Alliance. As a national group the Alliance provides resources to help farmers farm in ways that are compatible with preservation of a broad range of native plants and animals. Jo Ann Baumgartner, Executive Director, described the group’s laudable goals for U.S. farms by 2050: plant 500,000 miles of hedgerows, install one million nest boxes or bird perches, and restore 100,000 miles of riparian habitat.
Diversifying a Pomegranate FarmMatt Trask, owner of Dogtown Farm, has been growing pomegranates on five acres of land in Capay, California for about 14 years. Over that time, he’s done a lot of experimenting, starting with the pomegranates themselves. When he first started farming, he didn’t know what would grow well in the Capay Valley and tried a variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers. The pomegranates thrived and eventually became his primary crop. Matt says his goal has always been to improve the property as much as he can. “While I’m here on this earth, let’s make the little five-acre plot as sound environmentally and ecologically as I can.” Wild Farm Alliance's Nick Filannino helped Matt apply for the Healthy Soils Program and he was eventually funded for a hedgerow and cover crops. WFA then worked with Matt to select the plant species for his hedgerow and to install them. Read More and See the Hedgerow Plant List
Habitat & Trap Cropping for Managing Strawberry PestsJavier Zamora, owner of JSM Organics farm, integrates and is surrounded by habitat that supports many species of insects, birds and other wildlife. Javier says that farming with Mother Nature is one of the best ways to grow food because it helps you deal with the pests that can be a problem with strawberries or veggies. Our newest Research in Action video features Javier discussing the benefits of habitat on his farm alongside researcher Diego Nieto of Driscoll's, Inc. Diego shares his research on the use of alfalfa trap crops for lygus bug management in strawberry crops.
Thank You, Jen!This month, WFA said farewell to Program Associate Jen Paludi. Jen provided programmatic support for WFA, organizing field days and working with California farmers to create conservation plans. We thank Jen for her work and time with WFA. Her vibrant energy and enthusiasm for creating wild and resilient ecosystems will be missed. We wish Jen well in her next adventures.
Bumblebee Nests are Overheating to Fatal Levels, Study FindsBy Betsy Reed More frequent heatwaves mean bees are unable to thermoregulate their hives. Bumblebee nests may be overheating, killing off broods and placing one of the Earth’s critical pollinators in decline as temperatures rise, new research has found. Around the world, many species of Bombus, or bumblebee, have suffered population declines due to global heating, the research said. Bumblebee colonies are known for their ability to thermoregulate: in hot conditions, worker bees gather to beat their wings and fan the hive, cooling it down. But as the climate crisis pushes average temperatures up and generates heatwaves, bumblebees will struggle to keep their homes habitable.
New Songbird Habitat Study Unlocks Benefits for the Monarch ButterflyA new study assessed the degree to which monarchs benefited from warbler breeding habitat management and looked to understand what characteristics were most beneficial for monarchs in warbler sites. USDA has released management strategies that will benefit both of these beneficial species.
CAFF Literature Review: Understanding the Science Behind Climate Smart AgricultureA recently released literature review by Community Alliance with Family Farmers & University of California, Davis explores the intrinsic link between climate and agriculture. The review scientifically validates practices recognized for their ability to contribute to climate mitigation via increased soil organic matter (SOM); adaptation via improved cropping systems; and resilience and resistance via improved soil health and ecosystem function.
Online Regenerative Agriculture Course: Nourishing the Soil, Healing the PlanetBioneers offers a new regenerative agriculture course about the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture. The course features 24 experts from diverse backgrounds who offer insights into how regenerative agriculture can transform our food systems and heal the environment. Included is a WFA video about hedgerows we created with our partner Sam Earnshaw of Hedgerows Unlimited.
Join the Wild Sustainers Club and Get a WFA JournalToday, WFA kicks off our summer Wild Sustainers Club campaign! Wild Sustainers provide a critical source of reliable income to support wild farm programming. Join as a monthly donor for as little as $10 a month and get a WFA lined journal. They make handy field notebooks for monitoring nest boxes, scouting for pests, or bird watching. Already a member of the Wild Sustainers Club? If you’ve been giving for a full year or more, email Ashley and she’ll happily send you a journal, too! |
