National Corn Growers Association staffers recently participated in the annual meeting of the Honeybee Health Coalition. The effort is part of NCGA’s work to ensure corn growers' voices are represented in wide-ranging conversations on sustainability issues. Through its participation, NCGA ensures the coalition includes representation across a spectrum of stakeholders, including grower groups like NCGA, commercial beekeepers, input providers, specialty crop growers and more.
Even though corn production does not require pollination from bees, NCGA still engages with groups like the Honeybee Health Coalition to “create dialogue and foster a better understanding” of the similarities and differences in crop production around the country.
During the meeting, NCGA staff had the opportunity to lead a discussion on row crop production to allow others to better understand the decisions farmers make. NCGA says farmers can take small steps to support the health of honeybees. One such step is the planting of pollinator habitat on unused land on the farm, such as areas near farm buildings, or on marginal lands, like CRP group.