Learn More Mark your calendar for International Pollinator Week and prepare to learn more about bees and other important pollinators. International Pollinator Week, as proclaimed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a project of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. Visit www.nappc.org and www.pollinator.org for more information. Keep up on other events going on around the country. Visit our upcoming events listing.

One of the creatures vital to successful pollination of many of the crops we love to eat—like apples and blueberries—are reported to be struggling for survival. Bees, according to a New York Times article (free registration), have been disappearing at rates up to 60 percent—70 percent in Texas; 20 percent losses are more the norm.

Farmers and researchers are unsure of the cause, but speculate that it could be due to:

• More stress--to increase pollination frequency, bees are being raised to survive a shorter off-season, which could be lowering their immunity to viruses
• Hive-damaging mites
• Improperly applied pesiticides
• Viruses

Do It Yourself Read “Beekeeping 101” to learn more about bees, historically an activity for small farmers who want to make their own honey.

In addition to the financial strain on beekeepers, the loss of bees in the United States is challenging crop farmers’ growing demand for bees to pollinate dozens of crops, from almonds to avocados to kiwis.