Wild Bees
Hi Elizabeth-
I read the vegan page as well and was …ummm….puzzled. Don’t buy these products, but buy instead these products - ummmm….it’s still marketing, capitalism, etc. like it or not. Niche marketing? I am a beekeeper of honeybees but I also am a doctoral student working in agro ecological restoration to help increase the populations of wild bees. They do contribute waaaay more than managed bees, in fact bumblebees alone are the main pollinators of pumpkin, tomatoes, potatoes and squash. These native bees coevolved with our native food crops for which the honeybee doesn’t recognize (they’ve only been here since 1600’s) and isn’t adapted for. So, while the “exploitation” of honeybees is an issue for industrial farming, the wild bees are the ones, with the help of managed bees, who are aiding the popularity of small to mid-size farms and orchards. Agro ecology is a growing field of ecology and agronomy, and the PA farmers I work with who run CSA’s and dairy operations (even urban farmers in Baltimore) will attest to the robustness of wild bee populations on wild-managed farms. I don’t know if you’ll get this comment, since its been a while since this posting, but thanks for posting on this. What an interesting discussion.
Peggy - The Wild Bee Chronicles
I read of colony collapse and of course was greatly concerned some years ago but if I go out and sit in my front yard this afternoon I am certain to see a bee or three. I had wondered about it, feral bees. Very, very interesting and more puzzling than before, actually. Only the managed bees are sufferring losses. Hrm…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Pnb0kZt5Q Animal Collective, Bees. Lauren’s serious obsession, AC.
the ans it seems is feral
Probably for us too.
The bees … haven’t heard a whole lot of news about CCD lately. But then I’ve been focusing on the economy. Attempting to triangulate on the best place to weather the upcoming calamity. Looks like I’ll live to see the beginnings of “civilization collapse disorder” , hah. (it’s depressing)
Other than that, how has everybody been? Still enjoying life on the Redneck Riviera?
Richard, you still looking for collaborators?
DIYer - it took me a while to understand the bee problem as first told years ago was firstly a tame bee problem.
On the matter of the economy there really isn’t a whole lot to say the whole IAM/BME collective didn’t say 15-30 years ago Looked at differently it is amazing all the people that are alive and watching “Do you want to be a millionaire.” this 2010
Life on the Redneck Riviera could not be better. I love the South. I’d have left New York to march with Lee.
Castlehom is a hell of an idea but it needs someone to learn WPMU. That done forget about the downturn in general - it could be big. Even in near total neglect it will not die.
The 16 Jungian types - if anyone reading this but 1stly you DIYer.
I know how to share and be nice.
http://goodmorningfloridakeys.com/ I like him and think you would do. He’s mad smart, spiritual, and of your generation. You shoud sail down I think. I would!
Weird, I of course was thinking to write that “you would too” but apparently the men behind the scenes decided that you would “do”. hardeehar.
Hi. Elizabeth
I left him a comment - how did you find him?
“You are so BattleStar Galactica? Did you do any writing on that series. I have just discovered you.
My Battlestar is a Morgan 36′ with the Swim platform mod. Currently @Tarpon Springs sailing South is the plan day at a time the truth.
I think our connection is ‘Wild Bees’. ”
so i am off to read his blog - so far it looks wonderful
http://bigpinekey.com/Pages/Coconut_Telegraph_part2.htm
Hilarious site for local gossip, etc down at the Keys.