Henderson Pollinator Action Group

Pollinators have been a hot topic for several years and rightfully so.  According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard working animals help pollinate over 75% of all flowering plants and over 75% of our crops. In the United States, pollination by honey bees directly or indirectly contributed to over $19 billion of crop production.  All other insects contribute an estimated $10 billion.

A recent study of the status of pollinators in North America by the National Academy of Sciences found populations of Honey Bees and other wild pollinators, are declining.  In particular, the monarch butterfly which relies on milkweed to reproduce, has seen a large decrease in numbers.  Pest control products are often blamed for the reduction or loss of pollinators.

In an effort to increase awareness, several local farmers teamed up with the Henderson County Extension Service to form the Henderson County Pollinator working group.  22 attendees at the first meeting included several local farmers, representatives from local crop production supply stores, regional reps from Bayer Environmental Science, utility company reps, and members from the high school environmental club.

Conversations revolved around the key question: what can we do in Henderson to help support our pollinators?  We have a lot of literature outlining what a homeowner can do but row crop farms with large acreage haven’t been included mostly.  Great ideas were gathered from the group; specifically regarding CRP or set aside ground, cutting pastures later in the year to allow for Monarch return migration, and public right of way management.

As a result, in the summer of 2020, three pollinator plots were established on 1-9 acre plots.  Participants all agreed that they would manage their farms with pollinators in mind and would likely adopt the suggested management strategies of managing pastures and easements.   

In 2021, the group teamed up to introduce specific pollinator plants to the Audubon Park Wetland area.  Working closely with Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture, annual and perennial plants were selected and planted over several acres of lowland areas.  Several community members were involved not only with the planting, but with education regarding pollinator friendly plants.