Last week, scientists, educators and legislators came together to discuss the plight of the honey bee during the eighth annual National Pollinator Week. All over the country, people met to learn more about pollinators and brainstorm new ways to protect their habitats from destruction. In observance of this important yearly event, the USDA revealed… Continue Reading
Every year, beekeepers from all over the country send hives to California to pollinate the Golden State’s many almond orchards. It takes millions of beehives to support the pollination needs of California’s almond growers, and each one of these hives costs $200 a piece. Now, the bee brokers who arrange contracts between beekeepers and farmers… Continue Reading
When you hear about Homeland Security agents seizing illegal shipments at airports, the first things that probably come to mind are drugs, weapons and maybe the occasional exotic pet. Last month in Chicago, however, federal agents confiscated 60 tons of something a little sweeter than they’re used to. On April 28, authorities with the U.S.… Continue Reading
Last year, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost made local headlines when he lamented the killing of a swarm of bees at a spring training game. The swarm hat descended on a microphone mounted behind home plate and was making fans and players uneasy. Rather than relocating simply the bees, a maintenance worker was dispatched… Continue Reading
Here in North America, farmers have crows, deer and gophers to contend with in their fields. In Africa, the local pests are a little bigger. In countries such as Kenya and Botswana, elephants have been known to destroy entire fields as they trample crops and forage for food. Over the years, farmers have tried everything… Continue Reading