Rutherford County is buzzing with excitement for Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate bees, beekeeping and the benefits of fresh local honey. The celebration kicks off Tuesday, June 17! Plus, there are plenty of ways to dive into beekeeping or just support local pollinators through the UT-TSU extension at the Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro).
Across Tennessee, the UT Bee Campus Committee, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and UT Gardens, is hosting Garden Buzz events to educate the community about pollinators and how to build gardens that support them. The theme this year is “Pollinators Weave Connections,” emphasizing how pollinators shape our food, environment, and even culture.
Bee Keepers
The Rutherford County Beekeepers Association meets at the Lane Agri-Park on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m.. Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or just curious about the craft, RCBA is all about education, networking, and keeping local bees happy and healthy. They also help folks stay up to date on pest control and best practices to ensure strong, thriving hives.
Master Gardeners
Looking to create a pollinator-friendly garden? The Rutherford County Master Gardeners, a volunteer group through The University of Tennessee Extension, can help! They teach locals how to grow plants that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making backyards and community spaces more pollinator-friendly. In fact, the local Master gardeners have created a “pollinator garden” near the lake in front of the Farmers Market where these UT Extension folks offer hands-on learning on how you can start a bee-friendly gardens at your home. These Master Gardeners will be there to answer your questions during the Tuesday and Friday farmers markets (7 a.m. – 1 p.m.).
UT-TSU Extension
“Whether your passion lies in pollinators, plants or both, these events will help you support pollinators, which in turn help support agricultural crops, home gardens and local honey production,” says Jennifer Tsuruda, UT Master Beekeeping Program Coordinator.
Suzanne Fisher, TVA Natural Resources Program Manager, adds, “It’s important for everyone to do their part in supporting habitats for pollinators. TVA is proud to partner with UT to give communities the knowledge and resources needed to make a difference.”
Want to get involved? Learn more about UT’s Bee Campus efforts at tiny.utk.edu/bee-campus or check out TVA’s pollinator conservation work at TVA.com/pollinators. Garden Buzz events will be offered at the Rutherford County Ag-Center’s UT Extension. Call 615-898-7710 for more information or visit rutherford.tennessee.edu.
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