Growers who have considered planting pollinator habitat on their ground can get science-based seed mixes through the Seed A Legacy program, offered in partnership between KY Corn, the National Corn Growers Association, and The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund.
Seed for establishing pollinator habitat is free of charge for the projects that qualify. Projects must be anywhere from 2 to 25 acres and located in one of the program’s 14 states, including Kentucky. Larger projects can receive seed at a reduced rate.
Participants receive a site-specific seed plan and guidance from the Fund’s biologists throughout the project.
The program is hands-on for producers. Participants must prepare the site, plant, and manage the habitat for at least five years. It is for new plantings on fully prepared sites, not for interseeding existing habitat.
Each project uses two seed mixes, one for butterflies and one for bees. The seed mixes contain more than 40 wildflower species, compared with about 10 in most programs. According to independent research, the Fund’s seed blend attracts 8 times more native bees and has 2 times more flowers per acre than similar programs.
To qualify, applicants must own or manage at least 2 acres in one of the program’s 14 states. Interested growers can fill out the interest form; eligible applicants will receive next steps by email.
To learn more about the program and to see if it’s a good fit for your acres and conservation goals, visit www.beeandbutterflyfund.org.