Insect pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are responsible for one out of every three mouthfuls of food. In the United States, honeybee pollination and other insect pollinators contributed to over $29 billion of crops. A recent study in North America by the National Academy of Sciences found that the status of honeybee and wild pollinator populations are on the decline. Some of that decline is due to habitat loss, degradation, disease, and insect parasites.

The Warren County Beekeepers Association and Warren County Extension Master Gardeners jointly sponsored the April educational class to the public on How to Create a Bee Friendly Landscape. The educational class took place at the Extension Office with local author and small business owner, Shannon Trimboli, as the featured speaker. During the meeting, Shannon discussed honeybees, native bees, and specific practices to create a bee friendly environment to a room filled of 60 excited homeowners, beekeepers, and gardeners. To go along with the meeting, the horticulture extension agent provided a bee friendly buffet filled of light refreshments that honeybees are responsible for pollinating such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

A post evaluation survey given at the end of the program revealed positive comments from all participants. Most participants noted that they enjoyed all the material presented during the presentation. One particular participant wrote that they enjoyed “learning new things that are important to the local community”. 

In a personal note to the agent, the featured speaker noted seeing several successes from the educational program as well. She has had an increase in visitors to her booth at the SOKY Marketplace and increased profitability with native plant sales and book sales. Shannon was first involved with Extension through the Market Ready training course and through her participation in the Social Media Marketing course. Sharing her expertise through speaking engagements was a suggestion given to her by the horticulture extension agent during her one on one coaching session.