Bee Friendly Farming

The Idea

Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) is a program that provides guidelines for farmers and growers interested in promoting pollinator health on their lands, while fostering awareness and support for native pollinators. As a good steward for sustainable agricultural practices, you should be recognized for your efforts and have the tools to continue your work, influencing others to follow your example.The Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) program works with farmers and beekeepers to improve the health of honey bees, When you certify your farm, ranch, orchard, or vineyard with the BFF program, you receive recognition and consumer support. Commercial beekeepers also benefit from bee-friendly plantings on fallow lands, which allow them to avoid trucking bees long distances in search of pasture. Farmers need to meet a number of criteria to become Bee Friendly Certified. A free planting guide specific to your ecoregion will provide guidance on how to reach these criteria.

There are currently 750 accredited members of Bee Friendly Farming across North America and the rest of the world and the goal is to reach 2,000 members over the coming two years. Any farm can work towards accreditation no matter what size, from small "farm to farmers market" sized farms to large industrial farms. Farms can be urban or rural.

Why it's important

Pollinators are an indispensable natural resource in agriculture and healthy ecosystems Unfortunately, most agricultural landscapes do not provide sufficient or balanced pollinator habitat. Intensive cultivation has eliminated plants that pollinators need. Farmers and beekeepers play a key role in the health and survival of pollinators. Sustainable farming promotes healthy populations of bees, native pollinators, and other beneficial insects. It really is a win-win!