California Bee Project Launched
February 11, 2013 Project Apis m. (PAm), the largest non-governmental, non-profit bee research funding organization in the U.S., in conjunction with the California State Beekeeper’s Association (CSBA), have joined forces to encourage, educate, and enlist land owners and managers to produce food resources for honey bees.
Specifically, they are looking for floral diversity prior to and after almond bloom in California for the nearly 1.6 million colonies that are brought to the state to pollinate the almond crop. Just like humans, honey bees are better able to deal with stressors if properly nourished. With proper nutrition, bees can fend off pests and parasites and cope with pesticides and transportation stress. Forage plots have been set in motion around the state.
Working with land manager cooperators, PAm has established acreage, seed mixes, seed suppliers, and planting regimes. The next big event will be held on April 26 at Capay Ranch near Hamilton City, CA. The field day will showcase blooming fields of rapini (Brassica), clovers, vetch, alyssum, phacelia, and a mix of native wildflowers. All are an excellent nutritional source for honey bees. Learn how the soil is prepped, equipment used, bloom emergence/duration, and more. According to the Apis website, projectapism.org, this is a great opportunity to meet participators in the “Seeds for Bees” project. Forage outreach materials, including seed packets, will be available.
If interested in attending the California event, RSVP to Meg at [email protected] by April 12th.
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