IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE BEE BOX
What is Bee Friendly Farming?
Pollinator Partnership is happy to be part of Blue Diamond’ s Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program (OSIP) for the third year. Blue Diamond ’s OSIP is based on documenting the high level of performance of their growers in farm sustainability including orchard management, environmental issues, and occupational health and safety practices. There are two tiers of OSIP that growers may participate in. The highest level, Triple Diamond, includes completing the California Almond Stewardship Platform assessment, taking a carbon footprint assessment, and achieving Bee Friendly Farming Certification.
Bee Friendly Farming Certified (BFF) is a certification program from the 501 (c) 3, award-winning non-profit Pollinator Partnership, whose 25-year history has allowed it to grow into the world’s largest non-profit focused exclusively on pollinator issues. BFF works with farmers to help protect, preserve, and promote pollinator health
through science-based Best Management Practices. BFF works with farmers to incorporate affordable, simple, science-based guidelines, like offering nutrition and habitats for bees and other pollinators, and through Integrated Pest Management strategies. Bee Friendly Farming Certified practices include cover cropping, hedgerow planting, buffer strips, and Integrated Pest Management, which provide numerous benefits to farmers and ecosystems. Farmers are supported through this process and can meet the certification criteria by using a combination of these practices. How Does a Farm Qualify? The criteria are straightforward and easy to understand for buyers and growers, but they may require an investment in the on-the-ground management of the orchards or farming operation. These growers must commit to the following science-supported practices: 1. Offer forage to provide good nutrition for bees on at least 3% of land. Forage can be temporary, including cover crops. 2. Provide bloom of different flowering plants throughout the growing season, especially in early spring and late autumn. There is no minimum land coverage for seasonal bloom. 3. O ffer clean water for bees if not inhibited by government-mandated water restrictions.
Longhorn bee, almond orchard. Photo credit: Miles Dakin, Pollinator Partnership
28
ALMOND FACTS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker