Pollinators and Urban Farming: A Year of Learning and Growing

Imagine strolling through a city farm alive with the buzz of bees, the flutter of butterflies, and flowers and vegetables in full bloom. This isn't just a dream-it's a sustainable reality we can achieve by supporting native pollinators!

For the past year, I've had the incredible opportunity to work with the National Wildlife Federation's Mid-Atlantic Education & Engagement team as part of the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps. This experience has been nothing short of deeply fulfilling; I met so many wonderful people, gained invaluable knowledge, and planted more native plants than I can count.

Upon leaving the program, I was tasked with creating a capstone project that would leave a lasting legacy with my host site. I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the community that has given me so much, and I set out to create something that would provide lasting benefits and positive impacts for those who supported and inspired me.

A Buzz-Worthy Vision

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) in bloom in the Farmhouse Pollinator Garden at BLISS Meadows. Credit: Lindsey Walker for NWF

When I started thinking about what I wanted my capstone project to look like at the end of my Corps year, I knew I wanted to blend my two passions for writing and agriculture. I also wanted to support the Mid-Atlantic team's focus on creating native pollinator habitat on urban farms. My mission was clear: create a comprehensive resource guide for farmers eager to embrace native pollinators as partners in sustainable food production.

While many farmers understand the critical role pollinators play in sustainable food production, many rely primarily on honey bees, which are not native to North America. When it comes to working with native pollinators, many food producers don't know where to start. This guide is designed to change that, bridging the gap with practical and impactful information.

You can find the guide and additional resources here.

Collecting the Data

The first phase of the project was all about data collection. I delved into the ecological, economic, and social benefits of creating and supporting native pollinator habitats on urban farms and gardens. I learned that bees and other animal pollinators pollinate one-third of the food crops we depend on, and native bees alone pollinate a whopping 15 percent of fruit, nut, vegetable, and field crops in the U.S.

However, my data collection wasn't just about numbers and stats; I also conducted field studies and surveys to get the scoop on the specific needs and challenges faced by urban farmers. I even used our work installing native pollinator habitats on food-producing sites in Baltimore as a case study on how gardening for wildlife could be successfully replicated in other cities.

Spreading the Buzz

To engage the sustainable farming community, I had the privilege of presenting my findings at the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society (AFHVS) and the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) conference in Syracuse, NY. This year's theme, "Right to Food-Food as Commons," was particularly inspiring. It was exciting to illustrate how the right to healthy, sustainably grown food often goes hand in hand with the right to accessible green space.

Presenting a poster at the AFHVS & ASFS Conference in Syracuse, NY. Credit: Ciara O'Brien

The conference was buzzing with professionals and enthusiasts dedicated to fostering sustainable and inclusive agriculture practices and healthier food systems. Connecting with like-minded individuals was both inspiring and motivating, and it was wonderful to showcase my ideas and findings.

Although it is important to share this valuable information with the broader farming community, this guide is especially designed to address the unique needs faced by local, urban farmers in Baltimore. By focusing on their challenges, I aimed to empower them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their practices and support sustainable agriculture. The guide was distributed to local farming alliances and individual farmers, ensuring that it directly supports the local farming community.

Pollinators in the Spotlight

The freshly planted pollinator garden at Johnston Square Farm and Garden. Credit: Ciara O'Brien

My project contributes to the broader goal of achieving sustainable food systems, which pollinators play a vital role in. By supporting them, we support the health and productivity of urban agriculture as well as people.

Virtually all of the over 3,600 species of bees native to North America rely on pollen and nectar, making them efficient pollinators of food crops. For example, squash bees and bumblebees (like the American bumble bee, Bombus pensylvanicus) are vital for squash flower pollination. To attract these native pollinators, growers can plant butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), native sunflowers (Helianthusspp.), and tall coreopsis(Coreopsis tripteris).

Looking Ahead

I'm filled with hope and excitement for the future, and I'm optimistic that this past year's work is just the beginning. With continued effort and collaboration, we can make significant strides in promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit our communities and our planet.

Native pollinator gardens bring beauty to any space, but they truly shine on urban farms. Credit: Ciara O'Brien

If you or someone you know is an urban farmer, check out the resource here! It is packed with great information: articles, visuals, and case studies to help farmers navigate the process of creating pollinator habitats on their farms.

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