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

Alabama Power Clanton Conference Center
Clanton, Alabama
August 9th, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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

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 (TBD) 
• Society of American Foresters (5 CFE credits)
• The Wildlife Society (5.5 contact hours)   

COURSE AGENDA

Welcome and Announcements 

Field Exercise - Assessing Baseline Farm Conditions for Beneficial Insects
     Chilton Research and Extension Center

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

Module 1 - Farming with Beneficial Insects: Conservation Biological Control (CBC)
     Alabama Power Clanton Conference Center

• Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management
• Status of beneficial insect conservation

Module 2 - Conservation Biocontrol Research in Alabama
     Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Entomologist, ACES 

Lunch - please bring your own (or travel to nearby venue) and a refillable water bottle

Module 3 - Common Beneficial Insect Groups

• Introduction to beneficial insects and the ecological services they provide
• Overview of beneficial insect groups (predators and parasitoids)
• Summary of beneficial insect biology and habitat needs

Module 4 - USDA Farm Bill Programs to Support Beneficial Insects 
     Jeff Thurmond, Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service

Module 5 - 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 6 - Designing and Restoring Habitat for Beneficial Insects

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

Module 7 – Q&A, additional resources, and course evaluations 
 

INSTRUCTOR

Nancy Lee Adamson, PhD, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, East Region, Xerces Society and USDA NRCS, East National Technology Support Center, Greensboro, NC
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 PhD in entomology from Virginia Tech where she studied native bee crop pollinators.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Ayanava Majumdar, PhD, Extension Entomologist, Commercial Horticulture Team Leader, State SARE and Small Farms Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Auburn, AL
Dr. Majumdar leads the integrated pest management (IPM) projects for vegetable and peanut crops statewide. He is editor of the Alabama IPM Communicator newsletter and has received numerous awards from the Southern Region IPM Center, the National Association of County Ag Agents, and the American Society of Horticultural Science for his impactful projects. 

Jeff Thurmond, Alabama NRCS State Wildlife Biologist, Auburn, AL
Jeff is a member of the Wildlife Society, a Registered Forester in Alabama, and a Certified Wildlife Biologist. A native of Watkinsville, Georgia, Jeff attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a dual degree in forest management and wildlife biology. He worked as a county forester with the Alabama Forestry Commission in Cleburne County and spent time as an Area Forester and an Area Wildlife Biologist with NRCS in Mississippi.