Wild Ones Wild for Monarchs Campaign
Working with Local Growers
To help in Monarch conservation by increasing the populations of local genotype milkweed and
nectaring plants throughout the U.S, it is important to keep the milkweed genotypes used in this effort
as local as possible. The co-evolution of insects with local plants, and adaptation to local soils and
climate should be maintained. Although the same species of Milkweed might grow well in a broad
range across the US, it is important to maintain the local genetic differences (local genotype). With this
is mind it behooves us to use local growers whenever possible to help with our “Wild for Monarchs”
program. This not only helps to keep the genetic differences among the different areas of the country,
but can also help growers with publicity and perhaps some financial support.
One of the first things a chapter should do is determine how many, and what milkweed species they will
need. Once that is done you can approach a grower or group of growers to fill the need. You may offer
to provide appropriate seeds if available. For example, several organizations that are growing for Wild
Ones Oak Openings Region Chapter include:
 local native nursery
 local Botanical garden
 agricultural trade school
 local community college or university
 environmental charter school
 any agency with a greenhouse
Publicity and Recognition for Grower
Native plant growers and native nurseries are devoted to the mission of spreading the use of native
plants. So it is important that we help them in this joint effort to get Milkweed into widespread use.
We should publicly recognize the grower(s) for their contribution to this campaign. The
recommendation and promotion by Wild Ones is very valuable to their business.
 Events where we are distributing Milkweed plants should have the grower’s name displayed
indicating they grew the plants. In the case when the grower is donating the plants, this should
be noted.
 Presentations in which we mention either giving away or selling Milkweed plants should also
include this recognition for the grower.
 Any advertisements for events should also credit the grower.
 Always thank the grower. It’s surprising how many times I hear that someone was never
thanked or even acknowledged for their work. It’s not possible to thank someone too much.
Payment for nursery work and expenditures
As generous as they are with their time and resources in promoting this cause, growers and nurseries
must make a profit to stay in business. Our chapters are trying to distribute Milkweed plants at no or
little cost to the public. Some nurseries are willing and able to donate a number of plants even though
they have real out of pocket costs in doing so. Regardless of whether the grower is donating or selling
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the plants at drastically reduced costs to the chapter, there are several things the chapter can consider
to help offset the costs to the grower:
 Volunteer to spend hours helping at the grower’s nursery. It is important that this is made as a
commitment to the grower so they can count on it. The volunteer work doesn’t have to be
specifically related to growing Milkweed. Any time you can give that prevents the need for the
grower to pay someone is a help in mitigating his/her costs.
 Buy materials the grower needs to grow and supply the plants. These include soil, pots. Seed
flats, etc. It is likely a commercial grower has specific brands and sources and can buy these
things cheaper than you could. So best to just ask whether they want you to buy the materials
or just the money for them to do so.
 Collect and reuse pots. Here too the grower may have very specific requirements for these. So
again, ask.
Growing Requirements:


Local genotype – to keep the genetic links to local ecosystems intact, only grow and distribute
Milkweed plants where the seed was collected in your area. (If you don’t have local growers,
you can buy plugs from Monarch Watch from seed collected in your bio region.)
Organic – some growers you enlist may not be familiar with native plants. It is important that
the plants be grown without pesticides. Any pesticide will prevent the caterpillars from
growing. There is anecdotal evidence that mosquito spray will make female Monarchs sterile.
Agreement with Grower
It is important that both the grower and the Chapter understand what their responsibilities are in
growing milkweed for the “Wild for Monarchs” program. Use the “Milkweed Growing Agreement” to
spell these things out. That document is not meant to be a legally enforceable agreement. It is merely
to define the roles and expectations of both the grower and chapter.
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