Within the soil is a complex ecosystem that nourishes our crops and provides the foundation of our farms. Healthy soil is paramount for a productive crop. Though there are many inputs that can improve the soil, cover crops are proving to be an affordable and readily accessible solution. One way they improve soil is through the power of their roots.
There are two main types of roots, tap roots and fibrous roots. Tap roots have a large main root extending from the plant's base, with smaller roots branching off. The radishes in Seeds for Bees’ Pollinator Brassica cover crop mix are common examples of this type of root system. Fibrous roots do not have a main root but employ many roots originating from the base of the plant. This type of root system is used by most grasses, like the Triticale in Seeds for Bees’ Nitrobuilder mix.
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Calling All Seed Suppliers: Send in Your Proposals for USDA Climate Smart Grant Cover Crop Program!
Are you a qualified seed supplier with experience in California's Central Valley agricultural landscape? Do you have what it takes to fulfill seed orders for Project Apis m.'s USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Partnerships project? If so, we want to hear from you! Since 2006, PAm has been a go-to nonprofit supporting relevant, impactful work on behalf of the beekeeping industry and honey bee health. Over the years we have funded over $12 million of honey bee research and $2.9 million in forage programs-and we are growing!
To help us continue our mission, we are now seeking to add a Research Program Director to our team. This is an exciting new role for someone who is invested in working with beekeepers and wants to drive progress through impactful research. As if beekeepers don't have enough to worry about this time of year, hive theft in the California almonds is always a problem, and that problem seems to be growing.
Law Enforcement Officer Rowdy Freeman recently caught a great break thanks to some airtags in colonies, and discovered a bee hive 'chop shop'! Equipment and bees from several operations were found there, but the thief is still on the loose! More thefts happened this week in Madera and Fresno Counties, Freeman reports statewide number for hive thefts is currently at 1,992. Photo Credit: One Hive Foundation At the American Beekeeping Federation Conference 2024, I had the privilege of attending Judy Wu-Smart's workshop on "Science Policy and Advocacy Training for Beekeepers." Held this past January, the workshop provided invaluable education on effectively conveying beekeeper concerns to local legislators and their staff. Through practical strategies and immersive exercises, I gained the skills needed to make a meaningful impact on policy decisions affecting the beekeeping industry.
Behind every new discovery is a story, and we want to hear it! This year, Project Apis m. will give out our first-ever 'Bellows Award' for the best short video sharing a research, management, or other honey bee related innovation for North American beekeepers in a story-telling style.
Competitors for the Bellows Award must follow a few simple steps to participate. Read on for the competition rules, deadlines, and tips for success. Good nutrition through forage and feeding has the power to improve honey bee health in the face of many other challenges like pesticides and parasites. To help beekeepers capitalize on the latest science and resources on this topic, we invite you to join us on March 6th at 11:00 AM (Eastern) for a free, virtual, event.
Attendees will hear from PAm-funded researchers on new frontiers in forage and feeding for healthy bees, We will also share how to find available resources and programs, and there will be plenty of time for a live Q&A with the speakers and panelists. Find more details and register below. California’s anticipated winter season breaks the long dry spell of summer. Rain fall varies greatly throughout the state with the northern and coastal sides typically receiving more showers than the south. Regional climates can vary drastically with Northern California typically receiving between 15 to 50 inches of rain while parts of Southern California can receive between 8 to 15 inches[1]. In addition to these varied amounts of water, rains can begin in different months depending on the region.
After years of investment it was great for Project Apis m. staff to get to see the launch of UBeeO, a kit designed for beekeepers to be able to test their colonies for desirable traits to pass on to the next generation, at the North American Honey Bee Expo a few weeks ago.
Utah is ‘the Beehive State’, but not because it’s the best place for bees. In fact, like much of the West, there is less and less water to support the plants bees must have, and the acreage of drought-stricken lands is increasing. What if drought-tolerant plants- which need no irrigation- could help rehabilitate those lands and establish bee pastures for honey bees and native bees? That dream solution has inspired Project Apis m. to fund two research projects in Utah- both featured in this short film. |
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