Hudson Valley Farm Hub



000Scholarship Application _____________________________________________________Farming with Beneficial Insects: Conservation Biological Control Short CourseCo-hosted by Xerces Society and Hudson Valley Farm HubWednesday, November 9th9:00 a.m. To 4:30 p.m.Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461 with Beneficial Insects: Conservation Biological Control Short CourseBeneficial insects contribute to natural pest suppression and?potentially save $4.5 billion annually?in pesticide costs. Yet the contribution of insects that prey upon or parasitize crop pests is largely overlooked. Conservation biological control is a science-based pest management strategy that seeks to integrate beneficial insects back into cropping systems for natural pest control, ultimately reducing and in some cases eliminating the need for insecticides. This strategy is based upon ongoing research that continues to demonstrate a link between the conservation of natural habitat and reduced pest problems on farms, orchards, and gardens.In response to growing interest in promoting beneficial insects for their pest control services on farms, the Xerces Society has authored the book?Farming With Native Beneficial Insects?and developed the Conservation Biological Control Short Course to educate farmers, agriculture employees, natural resource specialists, land managers, and conservation organization staff.SHORT COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVESThis workshop will cover:?The importance of beneficial insects - predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests.Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).How to identify beneficial insects and distinguish them from other insects.How to recognize the habitat needs of beneficial insects and identify habitat deficiencies.The design and implementation of habitat improvements, including site preparation, insectary strip plantings, hedgerows, beetle banks, and more.The current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on beneficial insects and mitigate exposure to insecticides.How to access USDA conservation programs for financial and technical support.Agricultural best practices like timing cover crops to flower at different times of year, crop rotation planning, use of parasitic wasps for insect management and choosing?equipment and sprays that do the least harm to insects.?Participants will receive the Xerces Society's Conservation Biological Control Toolkit which includes?habitat installation guidelines and other relevant publications, and the Xerces' book,?Farming with Native Beneficial Insects.We encourage applications from people of color, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.Name: _______________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________City: ________________________________________________________________Phone: ______________________________________________________________Email: _______________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________State/Region: _________________________________________________________Zip: _____________Are you currently working on a farm? If so, what is the name and location of the farm and what does the farm produce?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________If you are not a farmer, are you working in the field of agriculture? In what capacity are you involved in agriculture? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Why are you interested in attending the short course? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________How do you anticipate using the information you gain in this short course? How might you apply or share your knowledge with others?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Please return this application by email to profarmer@.For any questions please call Sara Katz at (845) 331-1187. ................
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