General

What Should Be Included in a Quality CRP Seed Mix

sunrise wild flowers

If you’re looking for a high-quality seed mix for your Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) project, there are a number of components that should be included to make a good mix. Unfortunately, not all CRP seed mixes are equal in terms of quality. This can lead to problems, especially for new CRP participants. With low-quality seed, you […]

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What Plants Do Pollinators Love?

What Plants Do Pollinators Love?

Butterflies, bees, moths, and other insects, in addition to animal pollinators like bats and birds, are essential for pollinating flowers and plants. These pollinating species transport pollen from flower to flower, encouraging fertilization and thereby producing fruits and seeds. But to reap the greatest benefit from these pollinators, you’ll want to make sure to carefully

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What Pollinators Work on Your Farm?

Hummingbird wild flower pollinator

If it weren’t for pollinators, the agricultural industry would collapse as we know it. Eighty percent of the world’s food and plant products require pollination, making agricultural crop pollination worth over $3 trillion dollars globally. Pollinating insects, birds, and mammals are critical for crop production, with over 150 crops in the US alone dependent on

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Plant of the month: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot

This signature purple flowered plant may be familiar to you by its wide use in teas and dried flower arrangements.  Wild Bergamot is also a resilient native plant that grows in almost any condition (except for the wettest of soils) and is a favorite among bees and butterflies. When selecting a seed mix containing wild

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Five Things to Consider When Designing a Good Seed Mix

farmer sowing seeds

A well-planned seed mix is essential to constructing a diverse and stable planting. Knowing the physical characteristics of the site is essential to choosing the most appropriate native plants for that site. A diverse planting normally includes a seed mix of annual, biennial, and perennial species. Cost and availability are two essential factors that come

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Plant of the month – Stiff Goldenrod
(Solidago Rigida)

Stiff Goldenrod Solidago Rigida

Commonly associated with hay fever, the Stiff Goldenrod actually doesn’t have wind-blown pollen and therefore isn’t the source of your sniffles! Instead, these hearty wildflowers are adaptable and a favorite of birds and butterflies. Plant characteristics A perennial plant, stiff goldenrod has green leaves, yellow blooms, and can grow between three and six feet tall.

Plant of the month – Stiff Goldenrod
(Solidago Rigida)
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Plant of the month – Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

Purple Prairie Clover

Known as a legume type of wildflower, Purple Prairie Clover is able to capture nitrogen from the air and uses its natural bacteria to fertilize the soil. The most widespread of the Prairie Clover, this plant is a favorite of pollinators including bees, butterflies and other insects. This native clover is a key component of

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The State of Monarch Butterflies and Why it Matters

The monarch butterfly is undoubtedly the most famous of its species in the US. This iconic pollinator can be found in any given state through the spring and summer. Or at least, it could.  Over the past 25 years, the population of the monarch butterfly has decreased by 80%. At this rate, the species could be extinct two decades from now. Though it

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