1. Honey Bees are one of the most important factors in the abundant food production in the world. They pollinate most of the fruit and vegetable crops upon which we all depend for healthy diets.
2. During each of the last 8 or 10 years, one quarter to one third of all the bee hives in America have died off. The exact cause is still undetermined but insecticides are the primary suspects. I want to do what I can to help stem the tide and reduce or stop that rate of lost bee populations.
3. Raw, unheated, unfiltered honey is one of the most beneficial foods available on the planet. 99% of the honey bought in stores has been heated and hyper-filtered which removes most of the pollen and leaves it in the near syrup category.
4. Mrs. Blair is a gardener and I am a health conscious old man who also needs physical activity. I have always admired God's amazing little honey bees. They do some of the most unbelievable things in the hive, garden, orchard, yard and on many field crops. They won't sting you unless you attack them or "fool" with their hive. I am working with them all year long and have never been stung once since I began two years ago .... until last week when Ron, Cindy and I
Here is an interesting article on the subject. RB
If All the Bees Die Out — So Do We
By John Ross Crooks
Dear Subscriber,
I’m worried and upset. The bees are disappearing … and so is your food.
Last winter, 23% of American honeybee colonies died. The rate of their decline is no less than shocking. In fact, every year since 2006, about 30% of the nation’s honeybee colonies have perished.
Some people may be thankful there are fewer stinging insects around, but bees are a crucial part of the U.S.'s agriculture industry. The recent unprecedented losses have already had a devastating impact on crop production. And if honeybee populations continue to decline, a serious crisis lies ahead.
The death of so many honeybees is creating a pollination shortage, which in turn is threatening our food production.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about one-third of the human diet comes directly from insect-pollinated plants, and the vast majority of this insect-pollination work is carried out by honeybees.
Fewer bees mean fewer crops go to market — and that means more money out of your pocket.
Prices could soon soar for the most nutritious foods we eat, including almonds, apples, carrots, broccoli and citrus fruits.
Honeybees, in fact, are the lynchpin in our multi-trillion dollar food chain, because it all comes down to cross-pollination. The bees carry the pollen, and the pollen powers our plants.
So what does that translate to in terms of dollars?
Well, the USDA estimates $15 billion in agricultural production hinges on the survival of the American honeybee.
And already grocery prices are rising twice as fast as they did last year.
That trend is expected to continue as increasing numbers of bees die off, either because of monoculture (the practice of growing a single crop over a large area), parasites, pesticides, sickness or pollution.
But it’s more than a money problem. If one-third of our food is coming from insect-pollinated plants, then when all the bees die out, we could follow.
The bottom line is that we need to support bee restoration and preservation for the sake of preserving quality, productivity and affordability in our food system.
And we need to do it ourselves because the government isn't helping.
Last winter, 23% of American honeybee colonies died. The rate of their decline is no less than shocking. In fact, every year since 2006, about 30% of the nation’s honeybee colonies have perished.
Some people may be thankful there are fewer stinging insects around, but bees are a crucial part of the U.S.'s agriculture industry. The recent unprecedented losses have already had a devastating impact on crop production. And if honeybee populations continue to decline, a serious crisis lies ahead.
The death of so many honeybees is creating a pollination shortage, which in turn is threatening our food production.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about one-third of the human diet comes directly from insect-pollinated plants, and the vast majority of this insect-pollination work is carried out by honeybees.
Fewer bees mean fewer crops go to market — and that means more money out of your pocket.
Prices could soon soar for the most nutritious foods we eat, including almonds, apples, carrots, broccoli and citrus fruits.
Honeybees, in fact, are the lynchpin in our multi-trillion dollar food chain, because it all comes down to cross-pollination. The bees carry the pollen, and the pollen powers our plants.
So what does that translate to in terms of dollars?
Well, the USDA estimates $15 billion in agricultural production hinges on the survival of the American honeybee.
And already grocery prices are rising twice as fast as they did last year.
That trend is expected to continue as increasing numbers of bees die off, either because of monoculture (the practice of growing a single crop over a large area), parasites, pesticides, sickness or pollution.
But it’s more than a money problem. If one-third of our food is coming from insect-pollinated plants, then when all the bees die out, we could follow.
The bottom line is that we need to support bee restoration and preservation for the sake of preserving quality, productivity and affordability in our food system.
And we need to do it ourselves because the government isn't helping.
You Wouldn’t Rely on the Government — Why Should the Bees?
A memorandum from President Obama warns that “continued loss of commercial honeybee colonies poses a threat to the economic stability of commercial beekeeping and pollination operations in the United States, which could have profound implications for agriculture and food.”
For once, I agree with him.
Yet the government is still getting it wrong.
While it’s good that the government has acknowledged the problem — that one-third of our food is in jeopardy! — its solution will fail.
The government, as usual, thinks the answer to a declining bee population is money. You know, just continue to throw money at a problem until it goes away.
While the USDA announced an $8 million incentives program last month to help “save the bees,” beekeepers aren't seeing that money. And these are the people who should be getting it. After all, they have a vested interest in the bee population.
Instead, the money is going to landowners, who are already receiving government incentives. Typically, they use the money to stop crop production on endangered land. They don't act proactively by planting better crops to facilitate bee foraging.
Another thing to keep in mind: Handouts, in my opinion, tend to eliminate any stake a farmer has in his land.
Government money is simply not the fix. And there's more to the bee problem than a poor distribution of cash …
For once, I agree with him.
Yet the government is still getting it wrong.
While it’s good that the government has acknowledged the problem — that one-third of our food is in jeopardy! — its solution will fail.
The government, as usual, thinks the answer to a declining bee population is money. You know, just continue to throw money at a problem until it goes away.
While the USDA announced an $8 million incentives program last month to help “save the bees,” beekeepers aren't seeing that money. And these are the people who should be getting it. After all, they have a vested interest in the bee population.
Instead, the money is going to landowners, who are already receiving government incentives. Typically, they use the money to stop crop production on endangered land. They don't act proactively by planting better crops to facilitate bee foraging.
Another thing to keep in mind: Handouts, in my opinion, tend to eliminate any stake a farmer has in his land.
Government money is simply not the fix. And there's more to the bee problem than a poor distribution of cash …
Pesticides are Bee-Killers
There is still some mystery behind colony collapse. Disease, parasites, genetics and habitat loss are believed to be factors. But the increased use of pesticides is certainly one reason bees are dying off.
According to recent study I just read by the Harvard School of Public Health, neonicotinoid — a pesticide class similar to nicotine — is a significant factor in the shocking decline of American honeybee colonies.
The Harvard study said these widely used pesticides are probably the main cause of “colony collapse disorder.”
Make no mistake: these neonicotinoid pesticides kill bees.
Neonicotinoid are applied to seeds of industrialized crops such as corn. The poison seeps into the seed and renders the plant toxic to insects.
Normally, this wouldn't affect bees, because they don't pollinate corn, wheat or soybeans. But modern mechanized planting techniques result in large clouds of neonicotinoid dust. These pesticide clouds can drift and blanket the areas that bees visit.
And neonicotinoids are not only used by Big Ag. We can also find them in our backyards. They are sprayed on bee-attracting trees, flowers and plants that can be purchased at local stores like Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes.
Don't just take my word for it.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the pesticide in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Hawaii. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has banned three of the seven types of neonicotinoids. They’re even being dubbed the next DDT, an insecticide banned in 1972 for its impact on wildlife, the environment and its threat to our health.
These bans are fine — but it’s not enough.
We need to save the honeybee, and our food. And in the process, we'll also be saving a sweet super food ... honey.
According to recent study I just read by the Harvard School of Public Health, neonicotinoid — a pesticide class similar to nicotine — is a significant factor in the shocking decline of American honeybee colonies.
The Harvard study said these widely used pesticides are probably the main cause of “colony collapse disorder.”
Make no mistake: these neonicotinoid pesticides kill bees.
Neonicotinoid are applied to seeds of industrialized crops such as corn. The poison seeps into the seed and renders the plant toxic to insects.
Normally, this wouldn't affect bees, because they don't pollinate corn, wheat or soybeans. But modern mechanized planting techniques result in large clouds of neonicotinoid dust. These pesticide clouds can drift and blanket the areas that bees visit.
And neonicotinoids are not only used by Big Ag. We can also find them in our backyards. They are sprayed on bee-attracting trees, flowers and plants that can be purchased at local stores like Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes.
Don't just take my word for it.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the pesticide in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Hawaii. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has banned three of the seven types of neonicotinoids. They’re even being dubbed the next DDT, an insecticide banned in 1972 for its impact on wildlife, the environment and its threat to our health.
These bans are fine — but it’s not enough.
We need to save the honeybee, and our food. And in the process, we'll also be saving a sweet super food ... honey.
It’s a Sweet Deal for You!
There are sugars in honey, so you might think you’re better off just avoiding it altogether. But it packs a nutritional punch.
Honey's Health Benefits
It contains many essential nutrients, including “small amounts of proteins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, aroma compounds and polyphenols.” Polyphenols, for instance, are produced by plants and promote healthy gut bacteria, which help fight diseases.
It increases antioxidant levels. One such antioxidant is glutathione. Glutathione is perhaps the most important antioxidant in the human body. It helps prevent diseases associated with aging, including Alzheimer’s, autoimmune diseases, cancer and inflammation. It lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), increases good cholesterol (HDL) and maintains a healthy balance in other amino and fatty acid levels that impact the cardiovascular system. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. When bees make honey, they add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide, which helps tackle infections. It is a probiotic. Honey contains friendly bacteria that can benefit gut health and in turn help restore proper functioning of all systems in the body. |
These benefits come from eating just a couple tablespoons of honey each day.
But with the alarming loss of honeybees, honey is also disappearing — along with one-third of our food.
We need to do something.
But with the alarming loss of honeybees, honey is also disappearing — along with one-third of our food.
We need to do something.
Bring Back the Buzz
A local beekeeper told me hobbyists can get started with a couple hives for only a few hundred bucks. If you’re interested, have some free space and reasonable neighbors, I encourage you to do some research and give it a try.
But I understand beekeeping isn’t necessarily everyone’s idea of a good time. Luckily, there are three sting-free ways you can help.
First, discourage the use of pesticides both residentially and commercially. You can do this by buying food that isn't coated in pesticide.
Second, cultivate gardens with bee-friendly plants. Most fruits, vegetables and flowers will attract bees, but seek out your local nursery or retailer for advice on what forage grows best where you live. Remember: Be sure the plants are not treated with pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids.
Third, eat honey. Eating local honey supports beekeepers — and, by extension, the bees.
But I understand beekeeping isn’t necessarily everyone’s idea of a good time. Luckily, there are three sting-free ways you can help.
First, discourage the use of pesticides both residentially and commercially. You can do this by buying food that isn't coated in pesticide.
Second, cultivate gardens with bee-friendly plants. Most fruits, vegetables and flowers will attract bees, but seek out your local nursery or retailer for advice on what forage grows best where you live. Remember: Be sure the plants are not treated with pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids.
Third, eat honey. Eating local honey supports beekeepers — and, by extension, the bees.
“But Honey, What Honey Should I Buy?”
It’s great to eat local honey. But it’s best to eat raw honey.
Local honey contains spores from indigenous trees, flowers and grasses. It is believed that consuming local honey triggers the body’s immune system much like a vaccine does. So introducing a low dose of spores to the immune system by eating it could “prep” antibodies and make a person more resistant to allergies. Plus, buying local honey also supports beekeepers and agriculture in your community.
Raw honey, however, is better for you.
You probably won’t find raw honey in your typical grocery store. Most of the honey sold there is refined with a substantially higher glycemic index (impact on your blood-sugar level) than raw honey. Plus, honey is refined by treating it with heat. And heat eliminates most of honey’s exceptional health benefits. So ...
Local honey contains spores from indigenous trees, flowers and grasses. It is believed that consuming local honey triggers the body’s immune system much like a vaccine does. So introducing a low dose of spores to the immune system by eating it could “prep” antibodies and make a person more resistant to allergies. Plus, buying local honey also supports beekeepers and agriculture in your community.
Raw honey, however, is better for you.
You probably won’t find raw honey in your typical grocery store. Most of the honey sold there is refined with a substantially higher glycemic index (impact on your blood-sugar level) than raw honey. Plus, honey is refined by treating it with heat. And heat eliminates most of honey’s exceptional health benefits. So ...
Get It Straight From the Source
Look online for local beekeepers — they’ll be happy to help you out. Produce stands and natural health food stores usually provide a selection of local honey, too.
If it's too hard to find, you can shop online.
Bee Raw sells honey from all parts of the country. Or you can try iGourmet.com for a large selection, plus an explanation of the different types. The varieties and flavors are endless. You might consider trying a couple of different smaller jars to determine what you prefer.
I’m currently working my way through a 20 oz. jar of honey from Glazer Organic Farms in Miami, Florida. I love it. But, as far as I can tell, it’s only available in South Florida. A tasty choice that’s easy to get your hands on is Honey Gardens Apitherapy Raw Honey.
All told, honey is good for your health, the economy and addressing yet another problem government money can’t fix.
I urge you to share this story with others. Encourage responsible action to restore and preserve the bee population. Plant a garden. And help curb the use of risky pesticides in an industry that unfortunately depends on them.
To quality living,
JR Crooks
Editor, Sovereign Living
If it's too hard to find, you can shop online.
Bee Raw sells honey from all parts of the country. Or you can try iGourmet.com for a large selection, plus an explanation of the different types. The varieties and flavors are endless. You might consider trying a couple of different smaller jars to determine what you prefer.
I’m currently working my way through a 20 oz. jar of honey from Glazer Organic Farms in Miami, Florida. I love it. But, as far as I can tell, it’s only available in South Florida. A tasty choice that’s easy to get your hands on is Honey Gardens Apitherapy Raw Honey.
All told, honey is good for your health, the economy and addressing yet another problem government money can’t fix.
I urge you to share this story with others. Encourage responsible action to restore and preserve the bee population. Plant a garden. And help curb the use of risky pesticides in an industry that unfortunately depends on them.
To quality living,
JR Crooks
Editor, Sovereign Living
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