Delaware-Otsego Audubon Pushes for Bird Seed Production

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society has begun an effort to promote locally-produced bird seed to support farmers and reduce the environmental impacts of long-distance transportation of seeds.

Over half a million tons of bird seed is produced annually in the U.S., and much of this is shipped from the Midwest or the South.

The Audubon group has information on its website on black oil sunflower seeds grown on a 1,200 acre farm in Cedarville, near Otsego Co.

This is the recommended seed for attracting the largest variety of birds, according to Audubon.

A survey released in august by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service showed nearly 53 million Americans feed birds and other wildlife around their home.

The Audubon group also hopes to encourage more local farmers to grow bird seed, noting that 3 million acres are used in the U.S, for sunflower production of all types. Information on obtaining locally-grown sunflower seed and other bird seeds can be found on the Audubon web site.