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We’re supporting American farmers to protect bees
Because pollinator health is vital to our food supply!
Bee Friendly Farming® (BFF) is a certification program created by Pollinator Partnership who are working with farmers to help protect, preserve and promote pollinator health.
As a Platinum Sponsor of the program, Flow is helping to expand the program to new areas and cover a wider range of crops.
Overseen by a team of expert scientists, BFF supports farmers and growers in promoting pollinator health on their lands.
Did you know there are around 4,000 species of bees in North America?
By increasing the amount of habitat and food resources available to pollinators and reducing pesticide use, lands managed under BFF guidelines help to preserve and protect native bees and honeybees, as well as other essential pollinators such as bats, butterflies, wasps and moths.
The BFF program consists of three categories: Bee Friendly Farming CERTIFIED, Bee Friendly Farming PARTNER, and Bee Friendly Farming GARDEN.
Why it's good for farmers:
DOWNLOAD THE BFF HANDBOOK- Improved pollination outcomes
- Support for habitat management practices
- Bioregional planting guides
- Access to subsidies for tree planting
- Enhanced biodiversity, healthier local ecosystems
- Customer-facing certification
Why it's good for pollinators:
- Reduced pesticide use
- More forage plants
- Year-round forage
- Availability of drinking water
- More nesting habitat
Bee Friendly Farming in action
How Flow is helping
Flow previously teamed up with BFF to launch the Flow Native Seed Grant, which provided 137 pounds of native eco-regional pollinator seed mixes to 19 BFF-certified growers in 12 states. In 2022 we stepped up our support for the program with US$40,000 funding, raised through TheBeekeeper.org - our online beekeeping course.
This funding is part of our Billions of Blossoms campaign and will be used to expand the program in two key areas: increasing Bee Friendly Farming participation in the Pacific Northwest and creating crop-specific resources for grapes, blueberries and apples.
Are you a farmer or gardener who'd like to help make a difference?
Receive support to protect pollinators on your property.
FAQs
- [NB: Please see the BFF USA website for up-to-date info.]
- Offer forage providing good nutrition for bees on at least 3% of land. Forage can be temporary, including cover crops.
- Provide bloom of different flowering plants throughout the growing season, especially in early spring and late autumn. There is no minimum land coverage for seasonal bloom.
- Offer clean water for bees if not inhibited by government-mandated water restrictions.
- Provide permanent habitat for nesting through features such as hedgerows, natural brush, buffer strips, or bare ground.
- Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM); reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals. To learn more click here.
- Pay the annual $45 certification fee.
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Bee Friendly Farming® GARDEN is specifically designed for home, community and public gardeners who promote and provide habitat and pollinator health in non-commercial settings.
BFF GARDEN has been designed to distinguish these members from commercial farming enterprises or sponsors, as well as highlighting gardeners who follow the specified guidelines in providing for pollinators and offering a diverse and permanent habitat source at a scale at or above a small home garden.
In addition, BFF GARDEN registration means limiting or avoiding the use of harmful pesticides on blooming plants, and paying the annual registration fee.
BFF GARDEN membership does not include logo use except in special circumstances. Contact the BFF team for use information. Habitat signs and support are available, as well as the opportunity to be featured on the WBF blog.