I don't know about you, but the seventies were pretty significant.  My first driver's license, first voting, graduations (high school, college)... my first bee class, bee hives and honey extracting!  Then there was another important date.  When day dawned on April 22, 1970, we saw our first Earth Day.  The day was unprecedented. Thousands dedicated themselves to picking up tons of litter.  Reynolds Metals Co. sent trucks to 18 college campuses in 14 states to collect aluminum cans in "trash-ins".  Hundreds gave up the automobile for a day.  Air, water and chemical pollution were the focus.  Activists had their day, while corporations often accused of environmental harm used the day to publicize their public good.  Forty-five years later we are still celebrating Earth Day.  Take the day to ponder what has changed!

Christi Heintz

Executive Director  

Some people says it's not a very good bee plant.  Wrong!  

Click here.

PAm's Clover Mix, free to growers in CA and WA, is one-third Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum).  Beautiful!

It started with Blue Diamond making a generous donation to PAm directed at developing objective diagnostics to better evaluate bee health during almond pollination.  Next, with thanks to Dan Cummings, Chairman Blue Diamond Growers, and Dave Phippen, co-owner of almond grower and processor, Travaille and Phippin, Inc, CoBank and American AgCredit matched Blue Diamond's funding.  The CoBank/AgCredit funding has been designated to fund research on new and innovative Varroa mite control measures.  We have distributed the proposal request widely - to those within our known bee research community and also scientists outside our usual institutions. Over a dozen very worthy proposals have been submitted to PAm, totaling over $525,000.  To help fund as many of the most promising studies possible, beekeeper and bee broker Lyle Johnston, Johnston Honey Farms, has initiated the effort to now have bee brokers match the CoBank/AgCredit funding by contributing $60,000 toward funding more of the submitted Varroa research.  "It's still all about Varroa.  You've got to control Varroa or you don't have bees", he insists.  Lyle has challenged other bee brokers to contribute the remaining $40,000 to meet that match.  If you are a bee broker and can help toward this effort, contact christi@projectapism.org.  PAm wants NO party for Varroa when it has its 30-year anniversary in the U.S. in 2017.  

Ever since the first Earth Day, the day has been a time to reflect on our fragile global ecosystem.  In the United States, ecological awareness has brought us a safer environment than we experienced 45 years ago.  Cleaner water, safer air to breathe, and less exposure to hazardous chemicals have all contributed to a healthier environment resulting in greater longevity and a better quality of life.  While humans are living longer, the same can't be said for honey bees.  Ask any commercial beekeeper "are bees better off today than they were 45 years ago?"   The resounding answer you will get is "heck no". In the 70's, beekeepers experienced spray damage and American and European Foulbroods, but in general the problems were nothing like beekeepers are experiencing today.  A multitude of stressors are coming together to challenge bees like never before.  Varroa mites, Nosema, pesticides, migratory and nutritional stress all add up to a lethal combination for bees.  As stewards of the environment and stewards of the bees one would wonder what could be done to help the bees?  Project Apis m. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting research that addresses bee-specific issues and getting research results to beekeepers and growers in a timely fashion so they can make sound management decisions. This is working well but we can't support young scientists and top notch researchers to undertake this work without your support.  Every one of your dollars makes a difference.  Bee nutrition through natural forage is the one element where everyone can make a difference.  Donate '$45 for Forage' (see ProjectApism.org). And whether it is a planter box on an apartment balcony or a 2,500 acre farm, you too can plant flowers for the bees.  I guarantee when you see the blooms and the bees on the blossoms, you will smile and know you have done something beneficial for the Earth!

Dr. Gordon Wardell

Chairman, Project Apis m.