The Importance of local pollinators
On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, this includes the entire area adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay, we face a continual dilemma. Maryland/Delaware/Virginia beekeepers lose an average of 40 percent of their hives every year! Imagine losing 40 percent of whatever you own every year. But it is not a material loss in the sense of "things", it is an irreparable loss to our environment. Most beekeepers, like us, do it for the love of nature, good stewardship of the environment , and reducing our ecological foot print. (Not to mention aside from that stinger, they are a little cute!)
So how do the beekeepers "replenish" their stock every year? Well unfortunately, we are forced to buy bees from out of state. Normally bees are purchased from places like Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and other southern states. While this is good for beekeepers down south, it really doesn't solve the problems we have here on the Eastern Shore. Our winters are not like that of the southern states, and therefore our Bees are not "Northerners!" Protecting our hives in the winter, preventing losses due to cold, starvation, mites, and disease is the GOAL OF SAVE THE BAYBEES!.
Why is this important? Bee's do not pollinate corn, or wheat, or barley, but they do pollinate, strawberries, cucumbers, fruit trees, pumpkins, melons, berries of all types, and many of the other crops grown here on the Eastern Shore. Remember when Pittsville was the Strawberry Capital of the World? Well honey bees made that possible. The steady and constant decline of the Honeybee on the Eastern Shore is devastating to our environment and to our ability to grow the foods we love.
How can you help? BayBees Honey has dedicated 50 acres of land to the preservation of the Honeybees, their environment, and their sustainability. We at BayBees Honey are developing methods and techniques to promote successful over-wintering, reduce starvation, and increase resistance to mites and diseases. We can't do it without you! Money is great, your time is better, and your innovation is priceless. Join us, help us, or donate, all is needed!
We love and appreciate our customers, so feel free to schedule a tour of one of our bee yards. All proceeds from tours, classes, rentals, and donations go directly back into the apiary and the bees! We at BayBees Honey don't do it because it sounds good, we at BayBees Honey do it because we care.
