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Pollinator plot installed at Minnesota Corn Growers Association office

July 1, 2015
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The shovels and rakes were out Wednesday morning at the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) office in Shakopee as staff began installing a new pollinator plot on the east side of the building.

A total of 10 pollinator-friendly wildflowers and prairie grass mixes were planted, including butterfly milkweed, solidago goldenrod and smooth blue aster. Blueberries will be added in the near future.

MCGA will be handing out pollinator-friendly wildflower seed mixes at Farmfest on Aug. 4-6 in Redwood Falls. Pollinator-friendly plants and other information about pollinators will also be on display inside MCGA’s tent.

For now, here are some pictures from Wednesday’s planting:

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Solidago goldenrod grow 2-6 inches tall are great for pollinators likes bees and butterflies.
Research Director Paul Meints is coordinating the pollinator plot project. Here's Paul spreading grass seed in the center of the plot.
Research Director Paul Meints is coordinating MCGA’s pollinator plot project. Here’s Paul spreading seed for prairie grasses in the center of the plot.
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Native wildflowers line the edges of the plant. Prairie grasses will grow in the center. MCGA will have pollinator-friendly plants on display at Farmfest in August. After Farmfest, they will be added to the plot.
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That’s MCGA Senior Communications Director Mark Hamerlinck looking up for a photo. MCGA Executive Director Adam Birr just kept right on digging.
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Who says PhDs are afraid to get their hands dirty? Here’s Dr. Birr and Dr. Meints hard at work.