Seeds for Bees encourages the adoption of cover crops to provide forage for bees in California orchards, vineyards, and farmland - all while improving soil health, benefitting farmers, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The seed mixes available through Seeds for Bees are designed to bloom at critical parts of the year, when natural forage is scarce, and pollinators need it most.
Applications are evaluated based on their forage potential for managed honeybees, local ecosystems, native species, and adjacent working lands.
Seeds for Bees is a multi-year program:
1st year growers qualify for up to $2,500 in free seed
2nd year growers qualify for up to $1,500 in free seed
and returning growers (year 3 or more) qualify for discounted prices and free shipping on Seeds for Bees seed mixes.
Seeds for Bees is a non-profit program by Project Apis m. This is not grant-funded or government program, which means less paperwork and hassle for you! We are funded by private donors, including growers and beekeepers like you!
Project Apis m. has sole discretion in final application decisions.
In order to qualify for the Seeds for Bees program applicants must meet the following criteria
1. Must be a commercial farm or beekeeping operation. 2. Must be able to plant no less than 4 acres of cover crop or 2 acres for beekeepers. 3. Must be located in the state of California.
Seeds for Bees Program Requirements
Just like humans, honey bees are better able to deal with stressors if properly nourished. With good nutrition, bees are better able to fend off parasites and pathogens and stay strong in the face of pesticides and other stressors.
Healthier bees mean stronger hives and better pollination.
Seeds for Bees increases the diversity, density, and duration of available bee forage in California orchards and farms, while improving sustainability and supporting good land stewardship.
This win-win situation benefits both beekeepers and growers by providing better nutrition for bees, adding organic matter to the grower's soil, increasing water infiltration, reducing erosion, and providing a natural weed control.
Seeds for Bees is made possible by the many generous growers, beekeepers, companies, and individuals who invest in bee health and sustainable farming with their support.