Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Research Aims To Reduce Pesticides, Keep Bees Buzzing On Hop Fields

Vaclav Mach
/
Thinkstock
A federally-funded UVM study will explore new ways to reduce fertilizer use in the production of hops.

The University of Vermont has won more than $100,000 in grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency to help the agency's efforts to protect the nation's ailing bee population.

The EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs awarded $131,758 to UVM for a study that seeks to increase the efficiency of pesticide applications, making it possible for farmers to apply less bee-harming pesticide while still protecting their crops.

The university is tasked with finding a way to increase crop yields on 75 acres of hops, according to an EPA release, while reducing pesticide applications.

An EPA overview of the program says it will "specifically benefit hop growers in the Northeast by providing them with research-based integrated pest management tools."

Taylor was VPR's digital reporter from 2013 until 2017. After growing up in Vermont, he graduated with at BA in Journalism from Northeastern University in 2013.
Latest Stories