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March 2015 
March Madness

 

Project Apis m. (PAm) couldn't be any busier. We are evaluating our fall, 2014, bee forage plantings (photo below).

 

Our on-going research program, funded by a plethora of individuals and organizations, includes studies on Varroa, viruses, nutrition, pesticides, queen health, and in extension. With Blue Diamond funding, we are working on diagnostics, including objective colony size measurements and field tests for viruses. With Co-Bank and American Farm Credit funding we want to make sure Varroa does NOT have a Happy 30-year Anniversary Party in the U.S. (scientists - see below about our Varroa RFP), with Agro-Chem funding we are planting forage for bees in California, Washington, Idaho, Kansas, and the Dakota's. We are involved in the Honey Bee Health Coalition to influence national policy regarding honey bees and to interact with larger commodity groups and stakeholders on bee health. As if that's not enough, there's a new California workgroup to help pollinators (see block below). Hold onto your hats, this enewsletter just scratches the surface in recent honey bee news worthy of note to you!

 

Christi Heintz

Executive Director  

 

Request for Varroa Research Proposals

 

Project Apis m. is seeking research on new and innovative Varroa mite control measures. We are seeking proposals from scientists within our known honey bee science community and also scientists outside our usual institutions. We hope to attract entomologists who may be working on mites in other agricultural or livestock areas who are interested in working with honey bees or partnering with bee researchers. Studies may include, but are not limited to, efficacy of novel varroacides, warm weather mite control, and best practices for Varroa control. Proposals are due April 10, 2015. Format for submission can be found here.

 

4 Biggies to Better Beekeeping

A recent text to us from Jackie Park-Burris summed it up simply:

"I just don't see it being that complicated!":

1. Control your Varroa

2. Buy or FIND a good protein source

3. Promote thorough testing of new pesticides and stop tank mixes

4.  And, of course, use good queen stocks!

 

"How did I do?", she asked, jokingly.  Well, Jackie, you covered succinctly what the experts have been saying:  pests, nutrition, pesticides and breeding.

Jackie is a Northern CA queen breeder (Jackie Park-Burris Queens) and CSBA's Legislative Chair. 

 

Modesto Bee Headlines PAm's 'Seeds for Bees'
Planting wildflowers on Oakdale farm to help bee population
Planting wildflowers on Oakdale farm to help bee population
Planting Seeds for Bees ran on the front page of the Modesto Bee, Sunday edition (22 Feb 15)! "You hit a home run... much needed positive news!" Mark Looker, Ag Communications Consultant.  Read the story.

Bee Research Receives Major Contribution

PAm received a $100,000 contribution from CoBank and American AgCredit to continue bee research in the fight against pests and viruses, specifically the Varroa mite.  "For this project, we're not only going to solicit scientists within our normal honey bee research institutions, but we're going to approach entomologists who might be working on other pests, particularly mites in other agricultural or livestock areas," says Christi Heintz, executive director of Project Apis m.  Read the article.

 

CDFA's New Working Group

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has initiated the "Healthy Pollinator Working Group" to develop strategies for improving pollinator health in California.   The group consists of state, federal, and local agencies, agricultural growers, conservationists, researchers, managed bee keepers, and others concerned with pollinator health. At the first Steering Committee meeting Bob Curtis, Associate Director, Agricultural Affairs, Almond Board of California, said, "It's critically important this workgroup identifies areas CDFA can truly impact and thereby distinguish itself from the multitude of other pollinator workgroups." Hopefully the workgroup's deliverables will include improving access to state lands, clarifying border issues, and furthering emphasis on pesticide applications and registrations as they relate to pollinator health.

 

In This Issue:
Learn more from these Links:
"Zac Adapts" 
Bee Clubs Support PAm in 2015 with $$$!
Wyoming Beekeepers
S. Dakota Beekeepers
Idaho Honey Industry
Central Valley Beekeepers
CA Bee Breeders 
New Hampshire Beekeepers 

Recent Supporters
Silveria Farms
2J Farms, LLC
Round Valley Honey
CKP Insurance, LLC
Scientific Ag Co.
Miller's Honey Farms
Browning's Honey Co.
Maddox Farms
Lakeview Ranch Partners
Hiatt Honey, LLC
Ag Wise
Kruppa Farms 
Lockhart Fine Foods
Nick Noyes
Noyes Apiaries
Mike Carangelo
Veronica Swarens

Project Apis m. | christi@projectapism.org | www.ProjectApism.org
6775 Chardonnay Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Project Apis m. is a 501 (c) (5) non-profit organization.