Just Roots recognizes the important role native pollinators play in our food and ecosystem, and our local food economy.
Native pollinator species are on the decline. Some of the native pollinator species that used to frequent our farm are no longer here, but with an investment of time, materials and infrastructure, Just Roots aims to create an environment on the farm that helps to draw them back and build the health of their population and the health of our farm.
Individuals, institutions, even municipalities seek to support the health of pollinators. Just Roots is working to create a native pollinator nursery program to help supply its own farm as well as these other outlets with the plants and seeds they need to play a role in building the health of our native pollinator populations and in so doing, supporting a healthier local food system.
Just Root’s Pollinator project is a mission-driven program that aims to
1) support native pollinators,
2) invest in overall health of our food system and farm-scape,
3) educate folks on the importance of supporting our native pollinators, and
4) offer clean (NO-Neonics) native herbaceous pollinator plants to the public through farms markets, JR’s CSA and other food programs.
Project Plan:
Phase 1: 12 varieties of native pollinator attracting plants will be selected to begin our own nursery. We will be saving seeds but are also investing in startup seeds/plantings to help catapult the nursery program. 6 new pollinator beds are being added to our farm-scape, filled with compost, planted and mulched. Seeds will be continually propagated. Cold frame system are being added to support the over-wintering of plants.
Phase 2: As Just Roots undergoes the installation of a 5 acre community solar project in the future, opportunities for additional tree and shrub plantings along a natural fence line will not only attract native pollinators but add to the native plantings on the farm.
Project Partners: Thanks to the support we have received from the Claneil Foundation and Greening Greenfield, Just Roots is able to invest in the infrastructure and time needed to bring the Pollinator Project to fruition. We are deeply grateful for the support we’ve received from these groups that go to support the global health of our farm and our food system.