The work we do at Project Apis m. enhances the health and vitality of honey bees while improving crop production.  Farms and orchards depend on bee pollination, and bees need the nutritional resources these spaces provide.  Setting up meetings and events that facilitate an exchange of knowledge is the best way to engage with the growing community in a collaborative way.  It’s important to remember the honey bee is a creature native to Europe.  Here in the United States, the managed row crops, trees, and weeds of the countryside are its natural habitat.
In an effort to inform growers about the beneficial aspects of planting bee forage, Project Apis m. is hosting a Cover Crop Workshop on June 28th.  Participants will be educated on the details of managing cover crops that will benefit pollination, bee vitality and soil health.  Dr. Emily Symmes, Area IPM Advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension, will start by explaining the role of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in orchard systems.  Orchard systems advisor, Dr. Dani Lightle, will be speaking about how some cover crops affect and suppress nematodes.  Tom Johnson, Agronomist at Kamprath Seeds, will explain the timing and techniques associated with good cover crop management.  I will be speaking about cover crop effects on water use, pollination, and bee health.  I will also address how cover cropping fits under the umbrella of sustainable farming and how that might translate to increased business opportunities.  Taking place in Glenn County, California, the event is free to anyone who would like to attend.  Free lunch will be provided to all those that RSVP to Billy Synk at Billy@ProjectApism.org.