3. Provide permanent habitat for nesting through features such as hedgerows, natural brush, buffer strips, or bare ground. Attempt to have at least 1% perennial habitat. 4. O ffer clean water for bees if not inhibited by government mandated water restrictions. 5. Utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in effort to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals.
4. W hen asked for “Existing Certifications” select “California Almond Stewardship Platform.” Upload the CASP Assessment Progress Report PDF for your orchard in “Existing Audit Files.” 5. Complete all questions within “Bee Forage and Habitat” regarding your forage, nesting, and water features provided for the bees. Photo uploads will be required for verification. Files can be uploaded by dragging files into the appropriate locations or by selecting multiple photos at one time. No application will be approved without: a. Uploaded Pictures of your Bee Forage b. U ploaded Pictures of your Water Sources c. Uploaded Pictures of your Nesting Habitat d. Permanent Habitat Acreage (includes habitat features such as nesting locations, hedgerows, permanent vegetation not including crops. This permanent habitat acreage does not include cover crops). e. Total Habitat Acreage (includes all habitat features temporary or permanent. This does not include crops). 6. U pload your Farm Maps. See best practices for photos and maps to submit for map requirements.
6. Pay the annual certification fee.
7. Complete the compliance form every three years (audited by the Agriculture and Pollinators Task Force).
Additional considerations: 1. Orchard Locations:
a. If orchards are within a two-mile radius of the habitat and are under the same management conditions, they will qualify under the same BFF certification. All land/habitat features within this radius must be owned/managed by the same entity. b. If the orchards are outside a two-mile radius, then one must apply for a separate BFF certification (and pay a separate fee for each certification). 2. Pollinator Partnership requires six weeks to review BFF applications, so all materials must be submitted by March 12, 2025 for review to receive certification by April 30, 2025 ( Blue Diamond submission deadline). 3. M onitor contact email. If there are questions regarding your applications, Bee Friendly Farming will reach out for clarification. 4. If no response is received within six weeks of submission, your application may be denied. Already submitted your CASP self-assessment and are Bee Friendly Farming eligible? Follow these steps… 1. Visit pollinator.org/bff-cert/apply to create an account to begin and apply. If you already have an account, select “Continue an Existing Application” and login. 2. O nce an account has been made, select “Add A Farm” on your BFF Certified Profile for new farm applications. 3. C omplete the “About Your Farm” section. Please provide the best phone number and email address where you can be reached. The Bee Friendly Farming Team will use this information to gather any additional information required to award certification.
7. Complete “Confirmation and Payment” section.
Pollinator Partnership currently has funding support for Bee Friendly Farming practices through the California Ag-Land Network for Pollinators. This Regional Conservation Partnership Program, funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Services, and in partnership with Blue Diamond Growers, the Almond Board of California, and others, is available to farmers in ten counties in California. Growers can receive incentive payments for practices like cover crops, hedgerows, and IPM programs. To learn more about the program, please see here pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/RCPP-Outreach-1.24.pdf.
Cody Wilson Agricultural Specialist Pollinator Partnership
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NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2024
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