In 2006, many beekeepers sounded the alarm about bees disappearing. They were
seeing whole hives disappearing. In 2007, Congress recognized Colony Collapse Disorder as a threat and granted the U.S. Department
of Agriculture emergency funds to study honey bee disappearances. In addition, the 2008 Farm Bill grants the Department of
Agriculture $20 million each year to support bee research and related work.
The National Academy of Sciences reported losses in managed honey bee colonies in 2007, and
suggested that other native pollinators may be facing the same fate. The scientists are calling this a colony collapse disorder.
Although no one reason has been found, there are several possible threats to the bees including: pesticide use, habitat alteration
and/or destruction, invasive species, and climate change.
Did you realize that 30% of what
you eat relies on bees for pollination? 30%! Think about it, all of these require pollination: Apples, almonds, cucumbers,
pumpkins, squash, broccoli, onions, blueberries, cherries, avocados, tomatoes, grapes, other tree fruits, berries and flowers.
That is why this topic is so critical.
Much of our food source will be limited or gone due to the colony collapse disorder.
