Billy's Blog

Billy Synk, Bee Health and Pollination Workshops coming in January, 26 Dec 2016

This time of year we often get together with friends and family to enjoy each other’s company. Despite a few differences that might cause conflict, families and communities support each other based on their shared values. I have seen enough dead hives, sick bees, and destroyed habitat to give me pause about the future health of our nation’s pollinators. However, the concerted effort, passion, and team work of everyone I collaborate with gives me hope that we can change bee health for the better. Beekeepers, growers, landowners, pheasant hunters, bird watchers, conservationists, monarch butterfly advocates, native bee advocates, universities, non-profits, government organizations, land trusts, trade associations, seed companies, PCA’s, and all the industries that support agriculture believe bee health is an issue everyone needs to be responsible for. All these groups are working towards the same goal. How awesome!

This January, the Almond Board of California, Sure Harvest, and Project Apis m. are teaming up to bring you three Bee Health and Pollination workshops. Almond growers that have planted Seeds for Bees cover crops will be hosting three workshops in different regions of California. The events will have presentations on Best Management Practices, the California Almond Sustainability Program, and methods for improving bee forage and habitat. Honey bees and almonds are dependent on each other. Almond trees need their blooms pollinated while the bees benefit from a bounty of high protein pollen the flowers provide. Come to the Almond Board’s Bee Health and Pollination workshops on January 16th, 17th, and 18th to learn more about how planting cover crops and hedgerows help two essential industries; honey bees and almonds. There will also be information on tools to help growers calculate irrigation and nitrogen needs. Please RSVP to Jenny Nicolau at jnicolau@almondboard.com or 209-343-3243. If you have a question about which Seeds for Bees mixes will be demonstrated, please call me at 614-330-6932

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