Kelly Vorst-Parkes’ Post

I recently had the opportunity to present my recent work on BeeHero technology in Apple Pollination, in cooperation with Agency 29 who hosted the collection of some of the industry’s leading experts on apple pollination and production. The presentation includes BeeHero’s 2024 cutting-edge apple pollination research project from the Yakima Valley region of Washington State. The presentation was followed directly by a live Q&A session for attendees to better understand how to apply BeeHero's technology-driven solutions to improve apple orchard pollination and crop outcomes. BeeHero maximizes crop yields through precision pollination, combining sophisticated machine-learning algorithms with low-cost sensors to stimulate full output potential during peak pollination cycles. By tracking and optimizing pollination in real-time, BeeHero ensures hyper-efficient pollinators that can increase crop yields by 30% on average. Based in California and operating globally, BeeHero manages the largest database of bees & pollination in the world. #Beehero #pollination #apples #PIP #precisionpollination #bees #tech https://lnkd.in/gYDsUBq8

🐝 Fascinating Fact 🐝 Honeybees can recognize human faces! These remarkable insects have complex visual processing skills, allowing them to identify humans in a way similar to how we recognize one another. 🌍 This discovery highlights the incredible cognitive abilities of bees and underscores the importance of protecting pollinators for a healthy ecosystem. Source: National Geographic Facts Series: 01 Fact No: 0075 Follow For More Interesting Facts True Factuality #Honeybees #Biodiversity #Pollination #NatureInspires #AnimalBehavior #EnvironmentalScience #Conservation #WildlifeProtection #TrueFactuality #Sustainability #NationalGeographic #LinkedInLearning

This weekend, David has an odd idea, to stage a plant-themed concert in the iconic O2 Arena, inviting everyone to dance to the beat of nature's rhythm, which he calls "𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐦: 𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝟐 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚!" Let's get started by selecting your favourite plants in the same way you would choose your favourite tunes, focusing on their sparkling colours, distinctive shapes, or towering strength. Then, get ready to experiment by crossbreeding several plant varieties to create your own unique hybrids. As the big day approaches, David transforms the O2 Arena into a lush garden paradise, complete with dazzling lights, eccentric décor, and a dance floor where everyone can groove to the beats of their botanical masterpieces. As the music begins, watch the crowd get swept away by the rhythm of your remixed plant, and be sure to capture photos to share with friends on social media! Who is ready for a night of botanical beats at the O2 Arena? PS: Unlike David's imagination (which I find interesting 😁), plant breeders and geneticists utilise their expertise to develop plant hybrids that resist pathogens and pests while also adapting to changing climates, all in order to ensure food security and sustainability. 📷 Depositphotos _______________________ If you're coming across my post for the first time, let's connect and make a positive impact together. ______________________ 𝑰'𝒎 𝑬𝒔𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉. 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #weekend #saturday #socialsaturday #science #plant #agriculture #plantbreeding #plantgenetics #saturday #student #events

At Olivewood Gardens, 2nd grade students from OCS explored the interrelationships of healthy eating, sustainable farming, and environmental stewardship. Engaging in activities that spanned science, math, and geography, they learned about the impact of their food choices on the planet. #sandiego_ca #sandiegoschools #diversity #equity #academicexcellence #educationgoals #educationplan #educationforlife #extracurriculars #characterdevelopments

🍯 The Science Behind Bee's 🐝 Bees are vital pollinators and fascinating creatures with complex biology and behaviors. Their bodies are divided into the head (containing eyes, antennae, and proboscis), thorax (with wings and legs), and abdomen (with stinger and glands). Bees’ ability to beat their wings up to 200 times per second allows them to hover and navigate effectively. Pollination 🌸 Bees are crucial for pollination, supporting 75% of flowering plants and 35% of global food crops. Without bees, biodiversity and agriculture would suffer immensely. Waggle Dance Communication 💃 Bees use the waggle dance to communicate the direction and distance of food sources to their colony, showcasing their advanced navigational skills. Colony Structure 🏠 Bee colonies are organized with queens (reproductive females), workers (sterile females handling hive duties), and drones (males for mating). This division of labor ensures the survival of the hive. Honey Production 🍯 Bees produce honey by converting nectar into a long-lasting food source. They also regulate hive temperature by vibrating their wings to cool it or clustering to warm it. (seen in video) #Bees #Honey #Education #Science

🌀Shifting Worldviews Together - Unlearning, Regenerating, Evolving 🌀 Meet Lauren Tucker 👩🌾, who has spent 12 years working on regeneration, farming, and living systems thinking. She was co-founder and director of Kiss the Ground 🌱and is now founder of reNourish Studio. In this episode with Page Faye Mitchum, we explore the following questions and concepts: How do we move from “doing good” to actually regenerating systems? How do we think about capital differently in order to enable increasingly thriving ecosystems? What if we saw regeneration as a continuously evolving process, instead of a noun? How can our businesses be a catalyst for the regeneration deep overhaul that is so needed in the food system? Join us in a conversation about what it could look (and feel) like to be working regeneratively in our businesses. Join us 🌱

As I reflect on the Indiana Arborist Association Conference 2025, I am reminded of the significance of networking and collaboration in agriculture. The event promises to bring together arborists, educators, and industry stakeholders for educational sessions, a tradeshow, and unparalleled networking opportunities. This platform not only fosters connections among professionals but also provides a space to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices in tree care and management. What role do you think collaborations and conferences play in shaping the future of agriculture and arboriculture, and how can we leverage these events to drive progress and sustainability in our sector #abutispinach #Agvocate #AgroDiplomacy 🌳👥💡

The New York Botanical Garden has a citizen science EcoQuest program that uses the iNaturalist App/database to document different plants every month. The program is useful in that it allows monitoring of changes in native plant species over time. This month of June is 'Fern Foray' month. Since the 1800's the native fern species population around New York City has decreased 30%. Other native fern species are compromised. This type of citizen science monitoring can apply to native trees as well. A similar observed decline in native plant species has been found the last few years by a study of the native plants that Henry David Thoreau described in the 1800's around Concord, MA. This study revealed that a number of native plants had become locally extinct. https://lnkd.in/efveq8ce

Continuing our weekend of answering all of your #CommonsEconomy questions and exploring #beyondcapitalism - read this summary of how we can take inspiration from our animal cousins. #commons #NewEconomy https://lnkd.in/eWtNy4vX

🌟 Had an amazing time at #TechWeekGR! There were so many highlights, but here are a couple that stood out for me: 🏞️ I absolutely loved getting out to Tech Trails #4 led by West Michigan Tech Talent and hearing from Stacy Bare about the quality of awe we experience when we interact with nature. Stacy’s work with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is truly inspiring. Their mission to achieve a 40% tree canopy and ensure every resident lives within 10 minutes of a park or open space is such a vital initiative. It’s not just about improving environmental health but fostering community connections and strengthening the well-being of all. I wholeheartedly agree that companies encouraging employees to get outside can lead to happier, healthier teams! 🌳 Looking ahead, I’m excited to join NeighborWoods at MLK Park on September 27 & 28 to plant 200 more trees, bringing the total to 450+ in 2024! It’s a great way to give back and improve our urban canopy. If you're around, come volunteer and make a difference! 🧠 I was blown away by Charles Elwood (ชาลี) (Microsoft AI MVP) session on Empowering Neurodiverse Students and Fostering Passion. His work on making education and communication more accessible for neurodiverse individuals, those with disabilities, and anyone who learns differently is incredibly inspiring. By leveraging the power of AI, we can bridge learning and communication gaps for those who need a different approach. Just because someone is different doesn’t mean they should be left to struggle in a world not designed with them in mind. We all have our unique superpowers, and AI can help unlock them so the world can truly appreciate their talents. I only wish Charles had more time to dive deeper—his work is truly vital to society. Honorable Mentions: I also attended the AI Future is Female hands-on workshop, which was inspiring to see women leading in AI. Another highlight was the Tech Talks: AI & Data session, where I learned how AI and data are shaping the future. Both were fantastic chances to explore the ever-changing world of tech! Can't wait for more events like this to keep learning and growing in the tech space! #AI #Neurodiversity #UrbanForestry #TreePlanting #TechForGood #GrandRapidsTech #WestMichiganTech #OutdoorLeadership #WomenInTech #AIInnovation #CommunityEngagement #Sustainability #TechTrails #InclusiveTech #EmployeeWellness #VolunteerOpportunity #Empowerment #NatureAndTech #AIForAll #DataAnalyst #DataScience