Dear California Daughters,
This officer hopes you are enjoying the beauty and renewal of Spring!
A large number of members have commented on the hundreds of bee boxes they saw on their travels to-and-from State Conference last month. Your support of the State Regent’s bee project is more important than ever. In the February 2013 issue of the Western Farm Press, in an article written by Kathy Keatley Garvey, comes this news from Dr. Eric Mussen, Extension Apiculturist at UC Davis:
“Last year was not a good year for honey production in the United States, and it could be one of the worst honey production years in the history of nation, although it’s been pretty rough in some of the previous years. Usually when we’re short of nectar, we’re short on pollen, and honey bees need both. So, 2012 was a bad year for bee nutrition. Malnutrition is one of the stressors of colony collapse disorder, the mysterious malady first noticed in the winter of 2006 that has decimated one-third of the nation’s bees every year. Some beekeepers have reported winter losses of 90 to 100 percent. Around March 7 to the 10th is the last pollination period for almonds in California,” he said. That means that some beekeepers can do double duty with their bees , first pollinating orchards in early February and then heading off to other orchards for the last blooms of the season. Almonds are California’s biggest export. This year the National Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting a record-breaking 2.10 billion meat pounds, valued at approximately $3 billion. Eighty-percent of the global supply of almonds is grown in California, and about 70 percent of California’s crop is marketed overseas.”
Fundraising for Phase I of the State Regent’s Project to support honey bee research ended on the last day of State Conference. We are pleased to announce that the State Society is planning a celebration at UC Davis on Friday, May 17th, at 2:00 p.m., at One Bee Biology Road, Davis, California. A donation from the State Society will be presented during a ceremony that will include staff from the Entomology Department, Dr. Eric Mussen, Kathy Garvey, and researcher Brian Johnson. Members who attend will be able to visit the Häagen Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre garden next to the UC Davis Bee Biology Lab.
Since we will be going to the farm, this is a jeans, tee shirt, and hat event. Please do not wear insignia. Remember, bees do not like black clothing, perfume, scented lotions or scented hairspray. Don’t eat a banana on the day of your visit. The scent of bananas mirrors a warning pheromone sent out by bees to let the hive know that danger or an intruder is near. If you plan to attend this event, please send your RSVP to Sally Holcombe, corresponding@californiadar.org, by no later than May 10th.
Bee Inspired and Take Flight!
Debbie