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POLLINATOR WEEK--Crop Artist, Stan Herd, made a replica of one of a series of new postage stamps commemorating National Pollinator Week (June 24-June 30). The U.S. Postal Service unveiled four Pollination stamps at the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Symposium last year. (Journal photo by Doug Rich.)
Stan Herd unveils new crop art creationBy Doug Rich Stan Herd, Kansas based crop artist, unveiled his latest creation June 25 near Lawrence, Kan. The work of art is a one-acre replica of the new postage stamp released by the U.S. Postal Service to commemorate National Pollinator week (June 24 to 30). The crop art depicts a Southern Dogface butterfly on a Veronica flower, one of four stamps in the series. The pollinator stamp series includes a hummingbird, a bat, and a bumble bee in addition to the butterfly. John and Karen Pendleton, owners of Pendleton's Country Market near Lawrence, Kan., donated the land for Herd's new crop art production. Chip Taylor, a professor of insect ecology at Kansas University, suggested the project to Herd. The crop art and the stamps were created to educate the public about the importance of pollinators. "We would not have the diversity of vegetables and fruits we have on our tables without these pollinators, " Taylor said. "We need that diversity out there." According to the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction of 90 percent of flowering plants and one-third of human food crops. Domestic honeybees pollinate approximately $10 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year. At the unveiling of the new crop art, Taylor said that we are losing pollinator habitat at an alarming rate. "Take the essential habitat out and we will suffer in the future," Taylor said. The Easter weekend freeze in Kansas had a detrimental effect on pollinators and other desirable insects in Kansas, according to Taylor. Thanks to an unusually warm March, plants were 12-days ahead of schedule this year. Two days of 16 degree weather killed early developing insects like paper wasps, bumble bees, and some butterflies. "It will take two years to recover from the freeze," Taylor said. The crop art piece contains 3,000 marigolds, 2,000 petunias,Soybeansfor the green areas, and 40,000 pounds of sand. Elevated viewing stands have been built so the public can get a birds eye view of the artwork. "Chip Taylor gave me an opportunity to invest may art in an effort that makes a difference," Herd said. "My art is at its best when it contributes to the community." Judy Raney, Lawrence postmaster, said the U.S. Postal Service expects this series of stamps to be very popular and have ordered a large printing of this series. Raney said the U.S. Postal Service gets 50,000 suggestions every year for new postage stamps. "It is a wonderful way to raise awareness of great causes," Raney said. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 7/23/07
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