According to the USDA, almost one third of the food produced in the United States is the product of honey bee pollination. That is roughly $15 billion dollars worth of crops each year. But in the past half century, there has been a noticeable decline in bees and beekeeping. Since 2006, about 30% of beehives collapse each year from disease, parasites, poor nutrition, or pesticide exposure. French explains that keeping their bees healthy and in clean environments is a priority for Cox’s Honey, and that includes working with neighbors to limit the use of pesticides.
For more information on Cox’s Honey, visit coxshoney.com. And listen back to previous episodes of Sustainable Idaho for tips on gardening without the use of pesticides. If you’d like to learn more about how to conserve bees and other essential pollinators, please visit thebeeconservancy.org to discover ways anyone can help save the bees. Sustainable Idaho encourages anyone who is able and interested to consider backyard beekeeping. Every hive counts, and a flourishing backyard is an added perk.
