Scout Edmondson, Nederland. For those of us lucky enough to live in the Front Range of Colorado, we have undoubtedly been affected at some point by pollinators. Whether you’ve been hiking in the Indian Peaks in the summer time or have gone to the local farmers markets in Boulder County, pollinators have largely been responsible for the vast diversity of plant life in our area.

Pollinators are Nederland Farmers Market’s theme for the month of June and at their markets on the second and fourth Sundays. Due to the immense impact pollinators have on our ecosystems, it’s important to understand how they contribute to our food system. 

According to Michelle Witte, the nature education director at Wild Bear Nature Center, “a pollinator is an animal that helps in the seed distribution and reproduction of flowering plants.” The process of pollination occurs when a pollinator, such as a bee, butterfly, bat or hummingbird, lands on a flowering plant to harvest that plant’s nectar. The pollen from that flower, which contains the genetic material of that plant, then rubs off on the animal as it obtains the nectar, sticking to the animal’s fur or feathers. Then, when the pollinator moves to another flower, the pollen from the first plant sticks to the new flower, which then fertilizes that flower, thus creating fruit and seeds.

This process is an integral part of how food is grown throughout the world. In fact, “more than 70% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollination.” This number includes “35% of crops used in food production and increases the output by 87% of the leading crops worldwide.”

A vast portion of our diet is either directly or indirectly affected by pollinators, whether it be the fruits and vegetables we eat or the crops that we feed livestock. And yet, despite the fact that pollinators play such a big role in agriculture, the use of pesticides and chemicals on many conventional farms are extremely harmful to these insects.

For growers local to Nederland and the surrounding Front Range, pollinators play an enormously important role in cultivating crops. Take Courtney Cosgriff, a beekeeper, herbalist, gardener, and activist who operates a stand at the Nederland Farmers Market. Courtney founded her company, Honeybee Herbals, in 2017 to bridge her passions of plants and bees. 

Honeybee Herbals offers medicinal products made with the help of bees, as well as education on conservation, beekeeping and herbal medicine. According to Courtney, who has been studying with beekeepers for ten years and keeping hives of her own for eight years, “pollinators set the limits for what’s needed in our environment.” So, “by growing plants in pollinator habitat and having bees on farm property,” says Cosgriff, “crop production and yield will be increased.”

Another local farmer, Kipp Nash, grows vegetables and flowers for Nederland Farmers Market. “We plant flowering plants for the pollinators, for beauty, and for bouquets,” says Nash, “we also leave some vegetable crops to flower after their food production has come to an end.” 

“Crops from the Brassica family, like radishes and broccoli,” Nash adds, “have a copious amount of flowers that help attract and supply pollinators with pollen.” 

The farm where Kipp works, Benevolence Orchard & Gardens, has masonry bee hives scattered around the property. Mason bees are native to Colorado, and their dwindling numbers are of major concern. Benevolence demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between farmers, pollinators, and plants.

So, what can we do to avoid harming these incredibly important insects? According to Witte, we can start by making better choices when we buy food. “Anything that you think is good for the planet is good for pollinators. Saving water, the three R’s (reduce reuse recycle), thinking about what you buy at the store and what packaging it’s in and whether it’s organic or not” are all good ways to support healthy pollinators. By choosing to buy organic and ethically grown food, incentive is provided for farmers to switch to more pollinator-friendly modes of food production, such as using insectivores like bats, birds, or ladybugs to combat pest infestations or by implementing regenerative methods of agriculture. 

Furthermore, “voting and how we protect our local, national, and global wildlands is key for pollinator protection.” This can include voting yes on measures that support clean air and water standards and that preserve public wildlands from development. Finally, “reducing our fear of these incredible animals and educating ourselves” on the benefits they provide will help keep these vitally important animals from harm.

The Nederland Farmers Market will offer opportunities to learn more about the different pollinators, the process and benefits of pollination, and the products available onsite which are impacted by this natural cycle.  Attending the markets on June 13 and 27 will support our local and sustainable vendors, while also giving you the chance to be educated on pollinator-friendly methods of growing food and what you can do in our mountain town to help keep these indispensable animals safe and healthy.

Learn more about Nederland Farmers Market and their weekly offerings at www.nederlandfarmersmarket.org.

(Originally published in the May 27, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)