Pollinating insects play a vital role in Pennsylvania agriculture, and George Greig, Secretary of the PA Department of Agriculture, helped break ground on a pollinator –friendly garden at PDA’s headquarters in Harrisburg in celebration of ‘Pollinator Week’ June 20-26. The garden, which will be planted near an existing water retention garden, will be a habitat for pollinators like bees, beetles, flies, moths and butterflies.
Farmers depend on the work of these insects to pollinate 80 percent of the world’s crops, valued at more than $76 million each year in PA. In recent years, pollinator populations have declined for a number of reasons, from the loss of suitable habitat to pathogens and pesticides.
Pennsylvanians can and should play a role in pollinator protection by becoming backyard or small-scale beekeepers, planting pollinator-friendly gardens or increasing the use of native plants in gardenscapes. With your help, pollinators can continue to set fruit and produce seeds for the future!
Find out how you can help bees and other pollinators thrive by certifying your garden as pollinator friendly. To learn more about this program run by Penn State Master Gardeners visit our website at http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/public-outreach/cert/Cert-steps-main Or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu And look for updates on local efforts as they ramp up later this year.
Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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