Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon

Tour & Presentation: MN Dept of Agriculture – Biological Control Greenhouse
Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Place: Maria Avenue, north of 7th Street, behind the Fine Arts Studio

Have you ever wondered about what goes on in the little greenhouse that stands directly behind our Fine Arts Studio? Perhaps you didn’t realize it was even there…
It is a veritable hive of activity, and you now have a great opportunity to tour and learn about the amazing work being done in this building! Work that aims to reduce the use of synthetic pest control products and contribute to a more sustainable and healthy community. You’ll learn a lot about the world of bugs, bees, weeds, and our local habitat – just in time for spring planting in your own yard!

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Biological Control Greenhouse has been demonstrating the principles and processes related to biological control of insects and weeds since 1998, and it is one of the few state-operated greenhouses that is open to the general public. Since the year 2000 over 10,000 individuals from approximately 300 groups across the state have visited to learn how knowledge of insect life cycles and behaviors when properly understood, can be used for effective pest management that reduces the use of synthetic pesticides.

In months past, Bio-Control Program staff have taken their insect shows “on the road” by visiting schools and organizations (e.g., master gardeners, community gardeners, and summer youth gardening programs) to talk about the importance of plant diversity on insect diversity, and how bio-diversity in the insect world promotes pollination and natural control of pests. In light of recent reports of declining honeybee and bumblebee populations, their program has focused its efforts on informing the public about bio-diversity and promoting the planting of native perennials as a way to attract and conserve native bee species.

We warmly encourage the Metro State community to visit the greenhouse to learn more about what goes on there, and if weather permits we will invite you to walk around the greenhouse to observe the different plants that are coming back to life as well as the various insect pollinators visiting our blooming plum trees and our Honeycrisp apple trees that will soon be in bloom.

Hosts for this presentation/tour will be MDA staff Neil Cunningham (a Metro State graduate student) and John Luhman.

All are welcome. Hope to see you there!