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a buzz about bees
the bee alliance By Karen Harris
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newly formed group in our area, the Central Coast Beekeepers Alliance, is abuzz with anticipation for a community of beekeeping hobbyists. “We are excited with what’s happening with our group” says Rob Kimmell, co-founder of the organization. The CCBA’s Mission Statement is “To foster the health and well-being of honeybees by supporting best beekeeping practices through networking, education and raising public awareness.” Rob started beekeeping about five years ago. He considers himself a “beginning hobbyist” with 50 fruit trees on his property in Santa Margarita and a production of 70 pounds of honey last spring. He saw a need to come together with other beekeepers to share information and network. Another co-founder of the CCBA, Anna Rempel, has two hives in Paso Robles. She has lost one hive every winter due to the nature of the practice. She started beekeeping three years ago and says “There has not been much honey the last two years. It has been difficult with the drought.” The group’s 80 members consist of hobbyists, enthusiasts, and “wanna bee” beekeepers. The Central Coast Beekeepers Alliance
was recently recognized at a monthly science presentation, Science After Dark, at the Luis Wine Bar. John Chesnut was the speaker for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) organization that hosts these monthly science presentations at different venues in downtown San Luis Obispo. John’s topic in January was Bees & Agriculture. John, a botanist and beekeeper since the ’80s, spoke of the history, importance, and nature of these flying insects. During his slideshow, a 27-million-year-old fossil was displayed which looked almost identical to the modern day bee. A beehive patented in 1852 is very similar to the ones presently being used. Humans have been interacting with this species since the Neolithic Period. “We are dependent on honey and native bees for our cornucopia of fruit,” explains John. They need a variety of pollen. “Diversity is the key word in stabilizing this species.” These pollinators play a vital role in our food chain. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitute one-third of everything we eat. Bees have been transported to the local area by the truckload from colder regions such as the Midwest. Many end up on our central coast for the winter. “Most of these hives are owned primarily by commercial migratory beekeepers and will be moved at the end of January to the California Central Valley for the 6-week almond pollination event,” explains Rob. Should we be concerned about the survival of bees? The USDA re-
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2015
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