Stewarding pollination in urban agriculture: Evidence from working farms

Abstract

Urban agriculture is increasingly recognized for providing local produce and addressing food insecurity in cities. Crop yields in these systems often depend on insect pollination, and effective ways to support pollinator communities in urban and peri‐urban farm landscapes remain unclear. We evaluated the impact of common pollinator recruitment practices on pollinator abundance, bee species richness, and floral visitation at 18 privately owned farms in and around Dayton, Ohio. Farms were categorized as urban or peri‐urban based on surrounding land use, and data were collected through more than 54 h of standardized floral observations, pan trapping, and targeted insect identification. We surveyed and interviewed 13 farmers managing these farms about their use of pollinator strategies. We documented 84 species and 3211 floral visits. Bee activity and richness increased across the growing season, peaking in late summer. Although honeybee hives were frequently present (61% of farms had hives), especially at peri‐urban farms, their presence did not correspond to higher floral visitation by Apis mellifera or reduced activity of wild bees. Among the strategies assessed, including reduced mowing, decreased insecticide use, installation of bee hotels, and prairie restoration, only the presence of native floral resources significantly increased both bee visitation and species richness. Farms adopting four or more strategies experienced additive benefits, suggesting diversified habitat management may be most effective. Overall, native floral resources were key drivers of pollinator richness and activity in urban agriculture. By translating ecological evidence into stewardship knowledge, an integrated understanding that pairs pollinator monitoring data with farmers' place‐based management experience, this study advances the concept of earth stewardship, informing the stewardship decisions (the deliberate land management and resource allocation choices made by farmers, planners, and policymakers) needed to sustain pollinators in urban landscapes. Our findings offer practical, evidence‐based recommendations for enhancing pollination in urban farms through intentional habitat design and management.