1-in-3 bites of the food made possible by pollinators
As part of North America’s National Pollinator Week June 15-21, Mulmur’s own Not So Hollow Farm and their event partner, The North American Native Plant Society, are hosting the first, and hopefully annual, “Bees to Butterflies and Beyond” event. It is an all-day affair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.
The event will be all about pollinators: who they are, why they are so important to our food supply and overall well-being and what we can do to alleviate the many negative influences on our pollinators. The event will appeal to the whole family with many activities for children and adults alike. Guests are invited to come for the whole day or drop in when they can.
According to organizer Ian Payne, “Many people have little to no idea about pollinators in general. For example, one in three bites of the food we eat everyday is made possible by pollinators. There are many threats to pollinators. Many of the commercially available plants are pre-treated with pesticides that are toxic to insects, including bees. So, if people plant pollinator-friendly flowers that have been treated with these chemicals, they are potentially harming the insects they are trying to help. If we can help people better understand the basics, we can help everyone do their part to promote, preserve and protect our native pollinators”.
Scheduled activities include children’s art projects, puppet shows and a “Dance of the Bees”. There will be a honey tasting bar where guests can discover the different flavours and intensities of honey, along with a first-hand account of how beekeeping works. Several guest speakers will discuss the world of pollinators and many of the challenges facing these vital animals today. Two films will run throughout the day and all the food and treats on-site will be prepared by local establishments featuring ingredients made possible by Ontario pollinators. A marketplace of educational booths and vendors selling pollinator-friendly goods will also be part of the event.
Payne, a landscape architect, and his wife Viki Reynolds, started Not So Hollow Farm in 2003. The farm has specialized in the production of container grown trees and shrubs that are native to Ontario. Almost everything they grow and sell is pollinator-friendly and now includes a selection of native perennials.
“At first, we saw a need for a source of ethically propagated native plants. We helped people become more informed about and interested in planting native species instead of invasive species. However, as we learned more about pollinators and how at risk they are, their promotion has become a big part of what we do. We have been to several pollinator events and now we want to have something in Dufferin County to help spread the word locally,” said Payne.
With a playful approach, Ian and Viki describe themselves on their website as “passionate people perpetually providing provincially propagated pollinator preferred plants for a positive planet”.
For more information about Not So Hollow Farm and pollinators or to register for the Bees to Butterflies and beyond event, go to www.notsohollowfarm.ca. Registration is strongly encouraged. Admission costs $10 per person or $20 per family.
