There and Back Again Farm has established a pollinator program on ten acres of land in Stonelick Township Clermont County Ohio. Our mission is to promote and preserve local pollinators and pollinator habitat.
Pollinators are an important part of the ecosystem. Without them the Earth would die. The following paragraph was published by the Ohio State University Extension in an article written by Denise Ellsworth;
“Animal pollinators are essential to the food we eat. Some scientists estimate that one in three bites of food we take can be traced back to the role of animal pollinators. A 2012 study at Cornell University estimates that bees and other insect pollinators contribute $29 billion annually to U.S. farm income by pollinating 58 crops, including almonds, apples, berries and squash. Pollinators play a key role in the production of many foods in the home garden.
In addition to their role on farms and gardens, pollinators are essential to the survival of native plants. Approximately 75 percent of all plant species depend on animal pollinators to move pollen from plant to plant. Without the work of pollinators, many native plants couldn’t produce seeds to ensure the plant’s next generation. These seeds and the fruit that often accompany them also provide important food sources for approximately 25 percent of birds and many mammal species.
Key animal pollinators include honey bees, native bees, flies, moths and other insects, as well as birds and some mammals.” https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-47
Charlie Allen wrote an article in Edible Outdoors that says, “Due to development, Ohio has lost more than 90% of its prairies. Pollinator species may have experienced most of this habitat loss, but many other species are dependent on pollinators and the habitat they create. The diverse roles pollinators play create many different habitats for many species of plants and wildlife to thrive. Songbirds, such as field sparrows and eastern bluebirds as well as turkey and bobwhite quail, can be seen nesting and foraging in pollinator habitat. Small mammals also appreciate the cover provided, their movements completely hidden from aerial predators such as red-tailed hawks and American kestrels.” https://ediblecolumbus.ediblecommunities.com/things-do/flower-fidelity-ohios-pollinators-and-what-grow-them-your-garden
There and Back Again Farm cultivates a diverse habitat of plants, flowers bushes and trees that promote pollinator wellness. Pollinator crops are planned and cultivated to ensure throughout the spring, summer and fall there is food and cover for our pollinator friends. We do this by being familiar with the life cycles of both the plants and pollinators that inhabit the farm. We work to ensure something is always blooming and there is always habitat. There and Back Again Farm does not use any pesticides and uses natural fertilizers. The only exception to the natural fertilizer rule is the occasional use of 10-10-10 fertilizer.
2020 was a good year for pollinators on the farm although we did notice a slight decline in Black Swallowtail, Yellow Swallowtail, and Monarch Butterflies. We spotted two wild honey bee hives split and acquired one domestic hive of Italian honey bees. The population of rare hummingbird moths seemed to remain the same. The population of many other butterflies and moths looked to be about the same as 2019 as well. The humming bird population also rivaled 2019 levels.
If you would like to help There and Back Again Farm maintain and grow habitat for pollinators you can contribute to our pollinator program through our PayPal account or you can purchase plants, seeds, bulbs or other merchandise offered on this web site. We thank you for your support.