South Dakota Ag Connection - Ag Department Seeking Input on Pollinator Plan

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Ag Department Seeking Input on Pollinator Plan
South Dakota Ag Connection - 09/29/2016

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) has drafted a Managed Pollinator Protection Plan outlining efforts to protect honeybees, improve hive health, improve habitat and facilitate communications between beekeepers, landowners and crop producers.

SDDA is asking for input to ensure the state's pollinator planaccurately reflects the best management ideas available. Informational meetings will be held:

-- Oct. 4, 1-3 p.m. in the Dairy Science Center Conference Room located in the Alfred Dairy Science Hall on the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings

-- Oct. 6, 1-3 p.m. in the Floyd L. Matthew Environmental Education and Training Center located on the first floor of the Joe Foss building in Pierre

"Pollinator health is an important issue to South Dakota, not just for natural pollination of crops but because of the vibrant commercial beekeeping industry in the state," says Ag Services division director Brandon Beshears. "South Dakota's beekeepers play a vital part in our agriculture economy, consistently ranking among the top in the nation in honey production. In 2014 alone, South Dakota beekeepers produced a honey crop worth over $50 million from 280,000 colonies."

The draft plan can be found on the SDDA website at sdda.sd.gov in the "Happening Now" section. Comments will be accepted at the meetings. Comments may also be emailed to Ag Services division director Brandon Beshears at brandon.beshears@state.sd.us or mailed to him at 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota's economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans.

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