Consultation Services
The Xerces Society employs Pollinator Habitat Specialists across the country who are ready to assist you with meeting the Bee Better Certified standards. We can help farmers develop a Bee Better Certified Farm Plan, advise on pesticide practices, including mitigation and IPM planning, and provide step-by-step guidance on habitat creation and management. Our staff can also assist processors in supply chain analysis, farmer education and support habitat implementation projects on supply farms.
Farmers
We offer flexible packages that can focus on achieving your goals along the road to certification:
Habitat Planning & Management: Xerces staff can develop a step-by-step blueprint that will allow a farmer to create and manage habitat, or staff can directly assist with habitat planting and maintenance.
Pesticide Risk Assessment and IPPM practices: Xerces staff will evaluate the risk that your current pest management plan poses to pollinators and provide guidance on how to mitigate that risk. As a part of this process, Xerces staff can recommend non-pesticide management strategies, including protocols and record keeping procedures, to meet your management goals. Our goals are to help you meet the BBC standards and prevent or ameliorate pest and disease issues.
Bee Better Certified Farm Plan Development: Xerces staff can work with you to fill out your farm-specific Bee Better Certified Farm Plan (BBCFP) and compile associated records. Your BBCFP demonstrates your farm’s compliance with the Bee Better Certified Production Standards and will be one of the documents submitted to a third-party, independent certification body as part of the certification process.
The Consultation Process
If you are interested in our consulting service please fill out the please fill out the Bee Better Consultation Services Notice of Interest form. Once Xerces staff receive this form we will develop a quote and draft Scope Of Work (SOW) for your review. This will include an individualized timeline and outline of services that will be provided.
Opportunities for Free Consultation and Habitat Development
The Xerces Society has partnered with food companies and the NRCS to provide free services and compensation for many growers working on pollinator conservation. The Xerces Society has also been awarded grants to help growers become Bee Better Certified and study on-farm ecosystem services. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out this intake survey and we will contact you to discuss options.
Supply-chain Consultation
The Bee Better Certified seal identifies and celebrates farmers and businesses that adopt farm management practices that support pollinators. For consumers, the seal demonstrates a brand’s commitment to pollinator conservation and regenerative agricultural practices. Our services can be tailored to your companies needs and may include the following:
Supply Chain Analysis: Xerces supply chain specialists can work with your company to identify and prioritize ingredients in your supply chain that can be targeted for Bee Better certification.
Farmer Education: As you engage your supplier-farmers, Xerces supply chain specialists can work with them to better understand how Bee Better can be aligned with their practices and also directly benefit their operations. These benefits can include:
- Increased pollination services leading to greater fruit set and yield
- Increased pest control by beneficial insects
- Better soil health
- Overall operational cost savings
Support for Transitioning Farmers: Once your company has identified supplier-farmers that are ready to pursue certification, Xerces supply chain specialists can directly support their adoption of Bee Better habitat management and pesticide mitigation practices. These staff can also assist with the development of the Bee Better Certified Farm Plan, a core piece of the certification application that can be submitted to the third-party, independent certifying body.
Start now!
If you are interested in engaging with one of our supply chain specialists, please fill out the Bee Better Consultation Services Notice of Interest form. Once our staff receive this form we will develop a quote and draft Scope Of Work (SOW) for your review. This will include an individualized timeline and outline of the services that will be provided.
