Mono

Leading San Joaquin Valley conservation tillage farmers Scott Schmidt of Five Points and Dino Giacomazzi of Hanford recently hosted a group of 38 no-till farmers from Western and South Australia.

Tomato producers interested in cutting costs, reducing inputs and improving their soil, received a strong jump start to planning their 2011 seasons by participating in a recently-held how to get started with conservation tillage and cover crop systems discussion held at Sano Farms in Firebaugh.

Michael and Adam Crowell of Bar-Vee Dairy in Turlock, Calif., have been no-tilling their winter small grain, twin-row corn and sorghum sudan for five years.

Honey bee research at the University of California, Davis, recently received a $900 boost, thanks to artists with a honey of hearta honey of a heart for the plight of honey bees.

Bees at The Bee. Some 60 creative artists will be showing and selling their bee-themed work on Saturday, May 8 at the "Bees at The Bee" art show in the Sacramento Bee's outdoor courtyard, 2100 Q. St. The event, free and open to the public, will take place from 3 to 8 p.m.

Mark your calendars. Saturday, May 8 is the "Bees at The Bee" art show. The art show, featuring the work of bee artists from throughout much of Northern California, is a benefit for honey bee research at the University of California, Davis.

What are insect pollinators worth to the global economy? Well, it's a lot less than the Wall Street bailout...er...rescue plan. Recent research published in the journal Ecological Economics reveals just how important insect pollinators are.