Oct 18, 2017Rockey Farms recognized for pollinator management practices
The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign has named Brendon Rockey of Rockey Farms as the recipient of this year’s NAPPC-NACD U.S. Farmer-Rancher Award. The award was presented Oct. 17, at the 17th Annual NAPPC Conference Evening Reception at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
The NAPPC-NACD U.S. Farmer-Rancher Award recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to pollinator protection, conservation and issue outreach resulting in increased awareness of the importance of pollinators and pollination within the agricultural community. This special award sheds light on the contributions of American farmers to natural and cultural resource preservation. Brendon Rockey shares the award this year with Canadian farmer-rancher, Antony John, of Soiled Reputation.
Located in Center, Colorado, Rockey Farms is known for growing specialty potatoes and quinoa. Under Rockey’s direction, the farm has become a leader in using a biotic approach to farming.
Rockey Farms is alive with biological inputs. Companion crops, livestock, green manure fields, and flowering strips – instead of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides – are all part of a system that supports soil health and attracts beneficial insects that defend against aphids and thrips. Pollinators are abundant across the farm, thriving in its diverse, chemical-free environment. Four-row flowering strips in his fields serve as nectar hubs and helped give his 90 seed potato lots a perfect inspection score under biotic Integrated Pest Management last year.
Rockey also uses nectar plants in his potato greenhouse to create beneficial insect habitat and eliminate the need for insecticide. He has begun incorporating a legume heavy mix of companion crops that fix nitrogen, mobilize phosphorus, and host pollinators. During the winter months, he travels North America sharing his successes, and in 2017, went as far as France and Belgium.
Rockey was named a Soil Health Champion by the National Association of Conservation Districts last year. He was also featured on the cover of Spudman’s April 2017 issue.
See the April 2017 issue of Spudman to learn more about Brendon Rockey and farming practices at Rockey Farms.
