By Alice McFarlane

Syngenta and Cavendish Farms create pollinator habitats

Jun 21, 2024 | 2:06 PM

Two large pollinator habitats on Prince Edward Island (PEI) have been created to promote bee health and demonstrate how habitat creation enhances biodiversity on farms and contributes to sustainable agriculture.

Syngenta Canada partnered with Cavendish Farms to expand the “The Bee Project”, a global biodiversity initiative that focuses on research and partnerships to promote the health and well-being of bees and other pollinators.

In July 2023, two 10-acre Operation Pollinator plots were planted at the Cavendish Farms Research Centre in New Annan and its Freetown site with pollinator-friendly seed, including multiple types of clover, birdsfoot trefoil, groundbreaker radish, phacelia, and timothy.

The diverse mix ensures a season-long food source for pollinators as the plants flower from spring through fall. Farms provide great potential to create essential habitat and food sources for a range of bees and other pollinating insects.

Cavendish Farms president Robert K. Irving said creating pollinator plots can help improve crop yields.

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“It’s a great example of how we are working with our growing partners on PEI to try new and innovative ways to care for the soil and support sustainable agriculture,” he said.

Building on the success of the 2023 initiative, Cavendish Farms plans to plant additional acres of habitat on the Island this year.

This is the second Operation Pollinator initiative that Syngenta has supported in PEI. In 2021 and 2022, Syngenta partnered with the PEI Potato Board to engage farmers to increase biodiversity by planting pollinator-friendly seed mixes on lower productivity land.

Participants received commercial seed, agronomic advice, and financial assistance to help offset site establishment costs. In total, 52 acres were planted.

Erin McGregor, stewardship and policy manager with Syngenta Canada, said partnering with companies like Cavendish Farms and organizations like the PEI Potato Board is critical to the success of Operation Pollinator.

“Its mandate to support activities that enhance biodiversity, habitat and other practical initiatives can contribute to healthy pollinator populations,” McGregor said. “We appreciate the shared commitment of industry and farmers to enhance biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture.”

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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