Erika Crowl, Agriculture Agent Associate
University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore County
Attention all beekeepers, specialty crop growers, and pesticide applicators!
In 2019, The Maryland Department of Agriculture partnered with the non-profit company FieldWatch™, Inc., to provide online registry tools to promote good communication between producers of pesticide-sensitive crops, beekeepers and pesticide applicators.
FieldWatch registry uses precision real-time mapping tools to help pesticide applicators know where beehives and specialty crops are located before spraying and to reduce incidences of off-target pesticide exposure. FieldWatch offers three free voluntary mapping tools called DriftWatch, BeeCheck, and FieldCheck for sensitive crops, beehives, and applicators, respectively.
This system is meant to create awareness among farmers and landowners and to improve stewardship in Maryland. To register, go to FieldWatch.com and choose the type of account you would like to create.
For more information about FieldWatch, read this helpful resource or call The Maryland Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division at 410-841-5710.
