The Missouri Master Pollinator Steward program was developed to educate the general public about the plight of pollinators and teach them steps they can take to benefit pollinators. The curriculum covers five chapters of information on insects, pollination, honey bees, native pollinators and conservation, and includes several hands-on activities.

MU Extension partners with local beekeeping clubs and other conservation-focused groups to offer the Master Pollinator Steward program across the state.

Steering committee

A steering committee comprising the following extension specialists and stakeholders collaborated on this project:

  • Robert Pierce, MU Extension state specialist
  • Tamra Reall, MU Extension field specialist
  • Travis Harper, MU Extension field specialist
  • John Williams, Boone Regional Beekeeping Association member
  • Jim Duever, Boone Regional Beekeeping Association member
  • Valerie Duever, Missouri State Beekeepers Association member
  • James Quinn, Master Naturalist
  • Charlotte Wiggins, Master Gardener

Grant support

This curriculum was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The grant was used to develop the manual for the curriculum. The principal investigator was James Quinn, extension horticulture specialist.