Groups wishing to plant a pollinator garden may apply for free supplies online by March 11.

GROWMARK is offering the program nationwide for the first time. Groups across the United States wishing to participate should fill out the online application at http://bit.ly/2022GMKPollinator.

Honey bees and other pollinators play an important role in the agricultural ecosystem. These same pollinators are under stress from a number of factors: pests, disease, lack of habitat, and more. This is the seventh year of the program, open to 4-H clubs, Ag in the Classroom groups, and FFA chapters throughout the United States. Groups who previously participated in the program have been automatically re-enrolled. Organizations are asked to locate a public place and secure permission to plant a pollinator garden prior to filling out an application. This could be in a park, near a school, along a well-traveled road, at the county fairgrounds, or any visible location. GROWMARK will provide enough seed to plant approximately a 700 square foot area and educational and informational signs to placed around a proposed pollinator garden site.