Protect the Pollinator
Insects pollinate more than 95 crops grown in the U.S. These crops are worth more than $19 billion, and they could not be grown without their insect pollinators. Honeybees are by far the most important pollinating insects. Without the honeybees 1/3 of our food supply would disappear. It is impossible to estimate how many of our flowers would not set seed. Pollinating insect abundance and diversity are both threatened by several trends, including: the development of land for human occupation, the cultivation of large monocultures, the use of herbicides and insecticides, introduced diseases and parasites, and the loss of plant diversity. Pollination is an essential ecological service that can be a limiting factor in the production of many crops. In addition to crops, insects help pollinate plants that provide food and shelter to wildlife, plants that reduce soil erosion, and plants that increase the fertility and nitrates in the soil.
Insects also pollinate many plants that add beauty and color to our world, including many of the flowers we use to celebrate happy occasions and to comfort one another in times of grief.
"Protect the Pollinator" booklet
The MHPA Promotion Group has developed a "Protect the Pollinator" booklet. The booklet has been made available through a grant from the USDA RMA (Risk Management Agency) Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program and the (MDA) MN Grown Ag Marketing Services Division. This booklet is designed to help beekeepers be proactive in protecting themselves from bee losses. It includes tings beekeepers should communicate about the environmental issues facing our industry from continuing exposure of bee hives to pesticides. The booklet addresses how using ERT insecticide puts bees at increased risk. In addition, it provides management tools on food safety practices to help increase profits and protect the pollinators and the honey industry now and in the future. Special thanks to contributors including educators Dr. Marla Spivak and Research Scientist Gary Reuter with the Dept. of Entomology at the University of MN.
Protect the Pollinator Booklet
How Can You Help
Set Aside Acres, Roadside Ditches, and Backyards
Wild flowers are not enough for honeybees nutritionally. We can protect the honeybees by supplying them with what they need to survive. Alfalfa and clover plants can produce one of the greatest sources of honey that is sought after all over the world. Alfalfa and clover grows easily in Minnesota. Alfalfa and clover blossoms are two of the most valuable nutrition sources for the honeybee. In Minnesota there are many set aside acres and roadsides or backyards that could be a great resource for the honeybee if they were planted with alfalfa and clover seeds.
www.abfnet.org (Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees)
www.entomology.umn.edu
Good Resources
"Forgotten Pollinators" by Buchmann and Nabhan
"Letters From The Hive" by Buchmann
"Crop Pollination By Bees" by Delaplane and Mayer
Locations
Locations of our Honey Producers coming Soon!
