Urban farmers can now get cost-share and technical support to boost beneficial insect habitat on their farms through Practical Farmers of Iowa’s and Xerces Society’s beneficial insects cost-share. Sign-ups are now open and available until funding runs out.
“Urban specialty crop farmers face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to adding conservation practices,” says Grace Yi, PFI’s habitat viability manager. “This program supports urban farmers by helping them create habitats for beneficial insects, which can increase natural predation and pollination on their farms.”
Through this program, PFI funds native plants and the associated costs of establishing native insectary strips or beetle banks. Xerces Society provides technical support and helps develop a habitat plan.
Beneficial insects, such as ground beetles, lacewings, parasitoid wasps and more, are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems on farms, which in turn helps farmers provide valuable produce and products to their communities. Diverse on-farm habitat also provides resiliency, beautification and supports other wildlife species.
“My best piece of advice is to find a program like this one that can help you get those beneficial plants and insects onto your farm,” says Tricia Engelbrecht, a program participant. “Providing habitat is essential to healthy farms.”
To qualify, farmers must:
- Grow specialty crops on an urban or suburban farm in Iowa
- Be eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and be willing to register their farm with USDA
- Plant a small portion of their urban farm with native plants
For questions, contact Grace Yi at (515) 232-5661 or grace.yi@practicalfarmers.org.
Funding for this project is made possible by Ceres Trust, USDA-IA NRCS and Xerces Society.
