Community Gardens and Diversified Farms
Though far from a natural community, small-scale fruit and vegetable farms are an important habitat for a number of rare and uncommon bees. Many farms and community gardens share a similar suite of flowering plants and associated bees, including examples of both that are rare to absent in more natural habitats. Tomatillos and Ground Cherries (Physalis species), Squash, Blueberries, and Sunflowers are all cultivated commercially in Vermont and support specialist bees. Several uncommon specialists appear to have healthy populations on local farms, though caution is warranted. Commercial farming techniques such as pesticide use, frequent tillage, and even pollenless sunflowers, have the potential to attract but then negatively impact bees and other native insects.
