Pollinators are essential for crop production and ecosystem stability, but their populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, disease, pesticides, and other pressures. This not only threatens biodiversity, but also impacts food security and farm profitability.
MU Extension is offering a Master Pollinator Steward course to help growers, gardeners, and community members understand pollinator biology, conservation practices, and the broader role insects play in sustainable agriculture.
The 6-week course starts Monday, May 5 and includes live virtual sessions (with recordings available) and in-person field sessions at seven Missouri locations.
Topics include:
- Insect Basics
- Honey bee basics
- Relationship between plant and pollinator
- Native pollinators
- Pollinators in nature and agriculture
This is a practical, science-based course designed to help participants take meaningful action.
Find a location near you to register:
| County (City) |
| Adair (Kirksville) |
| Boone (Columbia) |
| Cole (Jefferson City) |
| Henry (Clinton) |
| Jackson (Kansas City) *Welcome to register in this section if you are not near any of these counties. |
| NW Missouri |
| St. Louis (St. Louis) |
Watch a short intro video
For more information, contact MU Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall: https://extension.missouri.edu/people/tamra-reall