English: Lars Santana, NRCS Oregon District Conservationist in Jefferson and Deschutes counties, is collaborating with the OSU Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center in Madras, Oregon and local farmers to look for innovative ways to improve honey bee diets during carrot blooming periods.

The facility resides at the center of 60,000 acres of irrigated crop land in the center of Central Oregon's seed production. Lars met with Heike Williams, OSU Extension's Bio Science Research Technician for Apiculture, at the Research Center to check in on the honey bee hives.

Central Oregon is home to high value specialty crop and seed production. This area produces about 60% of the nation's carrot seed. Lars is working with local farmers supported through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to implement pollinator plantings.

Bees play a significant role in successful pollination and seed production. Private landowners across the state work with NRCS, OSU Extension and other partners to install pollinator conservation practices on their property to improve pollinator habitat and increase crop production. NRCS works with OSU Extension to learn about pollinator health and the best pollinator resources and practices.