Agricultural Biodiversity on Western Farms
Conservation Practices Working for Farmers

A first-of-its-kind conference on the benefits of agricultural biodiversity in western farming systems and the practices that support it. For and by farmers, conservationists, agricultural support personnel and researchers.

How can predacious ground beetles, minute pirate bugs and native bees boost crop production and reduce pesticide use in western farming systems? What roles do hedgerows, managed field edges and beetle banks play in these diverse agricultural ecosystems? What practices are farmers using to increase agricultural biodiversity and how do they integrate them within their farm production plans?

The Functional Agricultural Biodiversity Work Group invites you to learn the answers to these and many other interesting FAB facts at the Agricultural Biodiversity on Western Farms. Conservation Practices Working for Farmers Conference. Renown hedgerow experts such a Sam Earnshaw from Hedgerows Unlimited and Rachael Long of UC Cooperative Extension will present the latest on hedgerow benefits and installation methods. Farmers from Washington, Oregon and Idaho will present a panel on their highly diverse farms and the practices they have implemented to make them so.

Conservationists from western Natural Resources Conservation Districts, Resource Conservation Districts, Soil and Water Conservation Districts in addition to national non-profits such as The Nature Conservancy and the National Center for Appropriate Technology will add their expertise on native plant selection and habitat installations. Entomologists will teach the identification, biology and ecology of beneficial insects, including native pollinators.

The conference agenda is designed using very dynamic, interactive format to allow participants plenty of time to interact with all the presenters and integrate the information they learn throughout the day. Come help us grow the network of practitioners keeping our agro-ecosystems healthy by attending the first Pacific Northwest conference on functional agricultural biodiversity. We look forward to meeting you there!

Registration is required. Contact Gwendolyn Ellen, gwendolyn@science.oregonstate.edu, 541-737-6272