U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection: Kearneysville, WV
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Upcoming Events
                    Recent Events
                        International Workshop The Fruit Microbiome: A New Frontier
                                    Open House 2019Search small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Northeast Area Kearneysville, West Virginia Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection Research





- Leskey, Tracy
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- Crop Production (305)

Research Project: **Location:
                            Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection** Project Number: 8080-21000-031-000-D
                        
                        Project Type: In-House Appropriated Start Date: May 12, 2020
                        
                        End Date: May 11, 2025 **Objective:**
                        
                        1.)   Conduct research on general pollinator health and recovery. [NP305, Component 2, Problem Statements 2A, 2B, 2C] 
2.)	Conduct research aimed at restoring critical pollinator habitat. [NP305, Component 2, Problem Statement 2A]
3.)   Generate economic revitalization through beekeeping and STEM focused programming for Appalachian youth. [NP305, Component 2, Problem Statements 2A, 2B, 2C] **Approach:**
                        
                        Objective 1:  Center staff will manage queen bee breeding and research program to survey and identify genetic material for a locally adapted pest-resistant strain of honey bee.  Center staff will collect and review data on hundreds of honey bee hives in central Appalachia from more than 100 individual beekeepers as well as the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective’s own extensive breeding apiary.  These data also will provide quantification of best practices as well as important baseline data for our research and breeding programs.  Development of beekeeping practices that limit or eliminate antibotics and synthetic chemicals will also be pursued. 

Objective 2:  We will quantify pollinator usage of and preference for native plants found in and unique to central Appalachian ecosystems, particularly in forested areas, and utilize them for habitat restoration projects.  Center staff will initiate and manage a native plant horticulture program, involving collecting seeds and plant materials from native varietals of pollinator-preferred plant species based on survey work.  We will grow those plants at the Center’s facilities (including greenhouse and shade house facilities).  These plants will be used in pollinator habitat restoration projects in central Appalachia.  The Center will provide this information and other current research outputs to provide regionally specific educational outreach and materials for general public use for planting and restoring critical pollinator habitat throughout the region.

Objective 3:  The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective program, an economic development program, will provide expertise and programs for local people in Central Appalachia to learn beekeeping.  This program will provide bees, hive boxes, equipment, continuing education, and support for new beekeepers.  This program will also provide STEM educational instruction focused on pollinators and beekeeping for youth.  Programs include classroom-based activities throughout the school year as well as through Camp Waldo, an annual residential summer camp for 4th-7th graders.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov