Will You Help Save The Monarch Butterfly?

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

The USDA is putting several millions of dollars up to save the Monarch butterfly.  They are pretty.  They eat milkweed.  The migrate from Mexico to the uppder midwest every year.

Monarch's are losing numbers because farmers are killing milkweed.  USDA will pay you to plant milkweed.  How much will you plant?

Is being pretty a good enough reason to devote part of your farmland to milkweed?  I have not seen any reports that milkweed is needed by any other insects.  Monarch butterflys are not identified as pollinators.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/plantsanimals/pollinate/?cid=nrcseprd402207

I'll share my initial impression.  I am not inclined to spend money or dedicate acres to milkweed for a non-pollinator.  I hope they survive but am not eager to do much about it.

What about your?  Are you willing to put your acres where the USDA money is?

[buckfarmer]

I didn't see how much they will pay per acre. I have a few acres that it may work well for me.

[tree fmr]

Interesting. I have a couple areas this might fit. Thaks for the info.

[wardcjohnson]

We already help the Monarchs.

Two years ago, my wife, and and I started a foundation to help to save the monarchs.

It is called SaveOurMonarchs Foundation and is devoted to helping to save the monarchs by distributing FREE Milkweed Seed Packets to anyone requesting them.  You can get Swamp Milkweed seeds at SaveOurMonarchs.org. 

rr

No Milkweed, No Monarchs!
 
Ward Johnson
SaveOurMonarchs.org
Facebook.com/SaveOurMonarchs

952-829-0600

[NewAgJudge]

WOW

Some of us do the right thing without waiting for another gov't hand out.

[sw363535]

I missed it what was the right thing??

[buckfarmer]

Where did you get your seed, Judge?

[k-289]

I'm hearing this is on the Iowa State U. information data - or call Monsanto --- 

[NewAgJudge]

I have been saving a couple thousands seeds the last 2 falls.

[buckfarmer]

I left a few acres of pasture unmowed this year. Was hopping it may help the bees we are suppose to be killing. Maybe I could incorporate the milkweed thing into that plan.