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

Greenwood County Veterans Center
106 Main St. N
Greenwood, SC  29646

June 26th, 2018
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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

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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*

• 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 South Carolina

• Overview of current issues and conservation biological control research in South 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 South Carolina

• USDA Conservation Programs and Practices supporting pollinators, other beneficial insects, and & other wildlife in South 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 with Farm Bill Programs. She teaches about native bees, other wildlife, and native plants that are vital to our natural and cultivated landscapes. Nancy received her Ph.D. in entomology from Virginia Tech where she studied native bee crop pollinators.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Ann Barklow, Horticulturist, Arborist, & IPM Consultant, City of Greenwood
Ann supports pollinator, songbird, and monarch conservation, and sustainability while helping to manage the city's Festival of Flowers topiaries, landscape design, and greenhouse production.

Sudie Daves Thomas, Acting State Biologist/Wildlife Biologist, SC Natural Resources Conservation Service
Sudie procides technical support and trainiung for SC NRCS staff and clients on wildlife habitat improvement and management, wetland restoration, native plants, and rare species.  She works with many partner groups such as SC's Exotic Pest Plant Council, Native Plant Society, and Partners for the Restoration of Native Plant Communities.

David Jenkins, Forest Health Coordinator at the South Carolina Forestry Commission
David works with landowners to identify practices that improve forest health and educates the public about pests and diseases that impact South Carolina's forests.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia studying the nest architecture of cavity-nesting bees and wasps.

Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, Assistant Professor, Vegetable and Strawberry Entomology, Clemson Coastal Research Education Center, Charleston
Rebecca works with annual specialty crop growers in South Carolina to sustainably manage their insect problems.  Her research program focuses on biological control, mite management, and soil health impacts on insects.  She received her Ph.D. from Washington State University studying biological control of mite pests in apples.

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