Welcome to this Stakeholder Comment Site!
NP 305 is the home of research dedicated to solving the challenges in agricultural production, including sustaining the health of critical plant pollinators. Thank you for providing information vital for developing the next NP 305 5-year Action Plan for Crop Production. Please respond to a few questions, listed below, which will help set future priorities and directions for ARS’s national research in crop production for a wide diversity of crops.
Note: This site will close for comments on Monday, August 7th
Questions for You
Please click on each question to open a new window to record your input. Please share details about your organization as you answer these three questions.
1. What are the most important problems and challenges your organization/farm operation faces for which research from NP 305 Crop Production could contribute solutions?
2. What are the top research priorities that NP 305 should focus on during the next five years?
3. How can ARS partner with stakeholders to conduct NP 305 research?
For your reference...
NP 305 Research Components
NP 305, Crop Production, focuses on the most critical issues and needs of U.S. production agriculture. It comprises two major Research Components: (1) Integrated Sustainable Crop Production Systems and (2) Bees and Pollination.
Component 1. Integrated Sustainable Crop Production Systems
This component encompasses ARS efforts to improve existing and develop new production systems for current and emerging crops. Production systems are highly complex and depend on the integration of multiple management components. Innovative technologies, methods, and strategies are vital to maintaining and improving profitability of production systems, conserving energy and natural resources, and promoting agroecosystem sustainability, including marginal lands or urbanized environments.
Component 2. Bees and Pollination
Bees are crucial for U.S. agriculture and ecosystem health. The honey bee is one of the most effective pollinators for fruit and nut crops such as cherries, apples, and almonds; row crops such as cucurbits and melons; oilseed crops such as sunflowers and canola; and berries. Given the pollinating potential of a honey bee colony due to its wide foraging area, the large numbers of bees in a typical healthy colony, the ease at which honey bees can adapt to new environments, and the value of hive products, honey bees play critical roles in many specialty crop commodities. Non-Apis bees, including bumble bees, alfalfa leafcutter bees, and blue orchard bees, are also effective pollinators of agricultural crops and many native plant species. Native bees, some living solitary or in small colonies, perform ecosystem services of value that cannot be estimated.
Current Action Plan
NP 305 Action Plan 2018 – 2023
Past 5 years’ Retrospective Assessment
Summary of NP 305 Retrospective Assessment (will be available late July 2023)
