Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM)
NRCS Bee Conservation Presentation from the 2020 Wild Blueberry Conference
Bee Conservation Efforts in Maine – Jeremy Markuson (pdf) PART 1
Bee Conservation Efforts in Maine – Jeremy Markuson (pdf) PART 2
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension collaborated with NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) to develop the factsheet Reducing Pesticide Exposure to Bees which outlines ten ways to protect pollinators from pesticide exposure.
NRCS took this a step further by creating a new cost share program called Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM). Through this program, wild blueberry producers can receive financial and technical assistance to reduce pesticide exposure to bees. The cost share rate for IPPM is $50.94/acre and $61.13/acre for historically underserved (HU) producers (i.e. Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers, Veteran Farmers).
What best management practices are required to receive IPPM cost share? This NRCS implementation requirement, is the document you would use with NRCS to select the practices that you plan to implement. If you already follow a practice, you would not be able to add it to your IPPM plan. To get more information or sign up, contact your local NRCS office.