Farming With Native Beneficial Insects
for Pest Control:
Conservation Biological Control Short Course

NRCS Goldsboro Field Office
3114 Wayne Memorial Drive
Goldsboro, NC  27534

August 29th, 2018
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Learn a science-based strategy that seeks to integrate beneficial insects for natural pest control!

Register Now!

Learn about supporting beneficial insects that provide pest control in this full-day short course. Conservation biological control is a science-based pest management strategy that seeks to integrate beneficial insects back into cropping systems for natural pest control, ultimately reducing and in some cases eliminating the need for pesticides. Join Xerces Society's Nancy Lee Adamson, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, and guest speakers as they overview conservation biological control and beneficial predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests. Participants will learn how common farm practices can impact beneficial insects and how to assess and create farm habitat for beneficial insects.

In response to growing interest in promoting beneficial insects for their pest control services on farms, the Xerces Society has authored the book Farming With Native Beneficial Insects and developed the Conservation Biological Control Short Course to educate farmers, agriculture employees, natural resource specialists, land managers, and conservation organization staff.

SHORT COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

This workshop will cover: 

• The importance of beneficial insects - predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests.
• Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Become familiar with the most common beneficial insect groups.
• How to recognize the habitat needs of beneficial insects and identify habitat deficiencies.
• The design and implementation of habitat improvements, including site preparation, insectary strip plantings, hedgerows, beetle banks, and more.
• The current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on beneficial insects and mitigate exposure to insecticides.
• How to access USDA conservation programs for financial and technical support.

Participants will receive the Xerces Society's Conservation Biological Control Toolkit which includes habitat installation guidelines and other relevant publications, and the Xerces' book, Farming with Native Beneficial Insects.

 *Continuing Education Credits Available*

• NC Pesticide Applicator (3 credits - DNOX)
• NRCS Conservation Planning (5 credits)
• Certified Crop Advisor (5.5 CEUs) 
• Society of American Foresters (5 CFE credits)
• The Wildlife Society (5.5 contact hours)   

COURSE AGENDA

Welcome and Announcements 

Module 1 - Farming with Beneficial Insects: Conservation Biological Control (CBC)

• Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management
• Status of beneficial insect conservation & summary of conservation biocontrol case studies

Module 2 - Common Beneficial Insect Groups

• Introduction to beneficial insects and the ecological services they provide
• Summary of beneficial insect biology and habitat needs
• Profiles of common predators and parasitoids and the insect pests they attack

Module 3 - Conservation Biocontrol Research in North Carolina

• Overview of current issues and conservation biological control research in North Carolina
• Highlights of agricultural, ecological, and forest related issues

Module 4 - Assessing Baseline Farm Conditions for Beneficial Insects

• Overview of habitat diversity values
• Introduction to the Beneficial Insect Habitat Assessment Guide to Inform CBC Planning

Module 5 USDA Farm Bill Programs Supporting Beneficial Insects & Other Wildlife in North Carolina

• USDA Conservation Programs and Practices supporting pollinators, other beneficial insects, and & other wildlife in North Carolina

Module 6 - Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects

• Overview of common farm practices and their impact on conservation biocontrol
• Mitigating potential negative impacts of farm practices on beneficial insects

Module 7 – Designing and Restoring Habitat for Beneficial Insects

• Conservation practices that support beneficial insects (beetle banks, buffers, windbreaks, cover crops, field borders, hedgerows, insectary strips, wildflower meadows, and more)
• Habitat conservation methods (site preparation, propagation, and maintenance)
• Farm case studies

Additional Resources and Wrap-Up

• Field session, questions, & evaluations

INSTRUCTOR

Nancy Lee Adamson - Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, the Xerces Society and USDA-NRCS
Nancy supports pollinator and other agriculturally beneficial insect conservation, teaching value of wildlife diversity and native plants. Nancy has a Ph.D. in entomology with a focus on bees important for crop pollination.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Brett M. Moule -State Biologist/Forestry Lead, NC Natural Resource Conservation Service, Raleigh, NC
Brett has 20 years of experience working in the southeast on private, state and federally managed lands.  Much of this time has been spent restoring longleaf pine ecosystems, Carolina Bays, and recovering threatened and endangered species.  Brett received his BS in Wildlife Biology, MS in Biology with aquatic emphasis, and his Ph.D. in forest resources studying alternative silviculture practices to prescribed burning.   

Debbie Roos - Extension Agent, Agriculture, NC Cooperative Extension, Chatham County Center, Pittsboro, NC
Debbie is responsible for programming in the areas of commercial vegetable production, organic production, pollinator conservation, alternative agricultural enterprises, forestry, and beekeeping. She created the award-winning Growing Small Farms website (www.growingsmallfarms.org), supports area farmer’s markets, and works statewide to strengthen local food systems. She has masters degrees in applied anthropology and horticulture, and served in the Peace Corps in Senegal.

Jim Slye - Forest Health Specialist (Eastern NC), NC Forest Service
Jim’s duties include diagnosis and control of insect and disease problems on forest and shade trees and cooperation with other state and federal agencies on control of invasive insect, disease, and plant organisms.

Register Now!