The BUG Project is a North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) funded research grant dedicated to both pollinator conservation and supporting small-scale, urban farmers. We work with farms growing cucurbits (squash and pumpkins), which are popular, pollinator-dependent crops. This project started in 2023 and is ending in 2026.
The primary objectives of the project:
- Improve pollinator habitat and pollination services in urban agricultural settings
- Provide farmers and community members with educational resources on accessible pollinator habitat management practices
To achieve these goals, we completed the following actions:
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- In 2024, we planted native wildflower plantings on 9 partner farms throughout mid and southeast Michigan, consisting of 250 plants from 15 native plant species
- In 2024-2025, we surveyed urban farmers on their perceptions of pollinator management. We are currently analyzing this data and preparing a scientific article with these results- stay tuned!
- In 2025, we surveyed native bee communities in these plantings and nearby cucurbit plantings
- In 2024 and 2025, we hosted annual pollination management field days to educate growers in the community
- In 2025, we published the ‘Native Bee Habitat Management of Urban Farms in the Great Lakes Region’ field pocket guide
- In 2025, we started a community science project through iNaturalist surveying the bees of the Great Lakes Region
- Throughout the project, we attended numerous outreach events and presented to groups on the importance of on-farm pollination management
By providing small-scale farmers and community members with educational resources related to pollinator management, we aim to enhance pollinator habitat implementation and management in urban agricultural systems, while also improving food security in underserved communities.
We are currently in the process of analyzing our bee community data from this year. Stay tuned to see what we found!
If you have questions, email Jen Roedel (zavalnit@msu.edu) or Karma Thomas (thom2787@msu.edu).
