Hedgerows and Pollinator Habitat

aerial view of farmland with hedgerows

Hedgerows are plantings of dense vegetation (perennial grasses, shrubs, and small trees) along the edges of agricultural fields. They serve as a windbreak as well as a way to add biodiversity and create habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife. They also increase carbon storage in biomass and soils. Some ranchers and farmers have found ways to use these plantings for additional cash crops or as a way to make their land more aesthetically beautiful.

The annual value of crops pollinated by wild, native bees and other pollinators in the U.S. is estimated at $3 billion. But these insects and birds have declined due to habitat loss and the careless use of pesticides and other factors. Because over 30% of our food relies on native pollinators the federal government has taken a keen interest in encouraging and providing support for farmers who establish habitat for pollinators on their farms. You'll find many of those resources below.

Download a printable fact sheet based on this page. (PDF)

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Mentor Farmers
Videos
Resources
Financial and Other Assistance
Science Literature

Mentor Farmers Who Create Hedgerows and Pollinator Habitat

Mentor Farmer Paul Muller standing in his cover crops

Burroughs Family Farms(opens in new window)

Frog Hollow Farm(opens in new window)

Massa Organics(opens in new window)

Full Belly Farm(opens in new window)

Phil Foster, Pinnacle Organically Grown Produce(opens in new window)

Videos

Pollinator Hedgerows: There's a Plan for That

In this NRCS video shot in Butte County (Durham, CA), Soil Conservationist Rachael Morgan discusses the role of pollinators in California agriculture and the importance of creating habitat to support the native pollinators that are dwindling in population and can help support the farmer in return.

USDA Works to Increase Pollinator Population

The USDA's Bob Ellison talks about declines in the honeybee population and how the USDA is working with private groups and farmers to build up the numbers of other pollinators. Hedgerows are an important tool for that purpose in Yolo County, CA.

Resources

Establishing Hedgerows on Farms in California

Publication by Rachael Long and John Anderson at UC Davis

(PDF)

Hedgerows & Farmscaping for California Agriculture

In-depth manual by CAFF (Community Alliance with Family Farmers) about choosing and caring for regionally appropriate plants that attract beneficial insects and prevent erosion.

Seedling Identification Guide for Pollinator Hedgerow Forbs of California’s Central Valley

USDA-NRCS Publication by Anna Young-Mathews, Agronomist, NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, CA

(PDF)

Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide for Farms and Agricultural Landscape

Free downloadable workbook by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

California 422A Hedgerow Planting, Pollinators, Habitat Installation Guide

Free downloadable publication by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation with region-and state-specific guidelines and in-depth practical advice.

NRCS documents for pollinator conservation and enhancement

Guidance sheets are available for all regions of the country including lists of recommended plants to use.

(PDF)

Establishment of Wildflower Habitat for Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Wildlife

On-demand webinar sponsored by the USDA NRCS Central National Technology Support Center.

Elderberry as a Hedgerow Crop for California Farms

Benefits, growing guidelines, market potential, and food composition.

Financial and Other Assistance

EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from USDA/NRCS provides conservation financial assistance for all types of agricultural operations. The program includes funds for projects that create habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) from USDA/NRCS pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental quality.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), an offshoot of CRP, targets high-priority conservation issues identified by government and non-governmental organizations. Farmland that falls under these conservation issues is removed from production in exchange for annual rental payments.

CDFA Healthy Soils Program

Currently (Sept. 2020) not accepting applications, this program offers producers financial incentives to adopt soil health practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Establishing hedgerows is one of the approved practices.

Scientific Literature

Brodt, S. et al.“Native Blue Elderberry in Hedgerows Bridges Revenue and Conservation Goals.(opens in new window)” California Agriculture, February 2024.

Garratt P.D., Michael, etc. “The benefits of hedgerows for pollinators and natural enemies depends on hedge quality and landscape context(opens in new window).” Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 247, 1 September 2017, Pages 363-370.

Long R., Garbach K, Morandin L. 2017. “Hedgerow benefits align with food production and sustainability goals. (PDF)” Calif Agr 71(3):117-119.

Morandin, Lora A., Kremen, Claire. “Hedgerow restoration promotes pollinator populations and exports native bees to adjacent fields(opens in new window).” Ecological Applications, 23(4), 06-01-2013

Stiles, William. “The benefits of hedgerows and trees for agriculture(opens in new window).” IBERS, Aberystwyth University, September 2016.

Single Page Fact Sheets on Hedgerows and Windbreaks by San Mateo Resource Conservation District

Download fact sheet on hedgerows. (PDF)

Download fact sheet on hedgerows in Spanish. (PDF)