New study shows urban growers rely on accessible educational resources to adopt pollinator-friendly farming practices

A recent study conducted by entomologists at Michigan State University has found that the adoption of pollinator-friendly farming practices by urban growers is primarily driven by access to educational resources, labor, and other farming support, rather than factors such as demographics or the pollination requirements of their crops.

The findings, published in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, highlight the importance of educational resources in influencing the decisions of urban farmers to implement pollinator management strategies. The study surveyed 74 urban growers and analyzed how various factors, including grower demographics, perceptions, motivations, and resource accessibility, impacted the adoption of common pollinator management strategies and overall crop richness on their farms.

The researchers discovered that factors such as access to labor, funding, and land had a stronger influence on the implementation of pollinator-supportive practices than the growers' demographics, including age, gender, income, education level, and agricultural experience. The study also revealed that the importance of pollination for the crops grown was not always matched by the implementation of pollinator management practices.

Furthermore, the most commonly used educational resources by urban growers were hard-copy books and field guides, conversations with fellow growers and farmers, online Extension articles, and resources provided by nonprofit organizations. The research suggests that online materials may be more effective in delivering information for supporting some pollinator management practices.

These findings are particularly valuable for extension educators working with urban growers, as they provide insights into the preferred and frequently used educational resources, which can help guide the delivery of effective pollinator management training and support.