The Noosa sponsored initiative consists of a set of guidelines for farmers and growers to help promote pollinator health on farm land. The “Bee Friendly Farming” project has been developed with the Pollinator Partnership with the primary aim of helping pollinators thrive in agricultural settings.
The importance of honeybees extends to food and the overall economy, with almost all agricultural crops dependent upon pollination. Honeybee populations are in decline due to mite infestations (plus bacterial disease like American foulbrood). The parasite concerned is a microsporidian called Nosema ceranae, which can harm adult bees and their larvae. It causes adult bees to die early, and kills the larvae before they can transform into bees. It is spread easily via airborne spores.
To add to this there is the indiscriminate use of pesticides, and the consequences of human encroachment leading to habitat loss and the effects of climate change. Under the worse conditions colony collapse disorder occurs, leading to the loss of an entire bee colony.
Central to the new program is the creation of bee buffer zones. These are dedicated areas of land designed to encourage honeybee health. This project is called “Noosa Blooms for Bees.” The first bee buffer zones will be in Colorado, with the company Noosa setting up a zone in the town of Bellvue.
Discussing the project further, Kelly Rourke, who is the Program Manager, Bee Friendly Farming, said: “Honey bees play a vital role in agriculture, and no one knows that better than noosa and their farmers which is why we are thrilled to partner with them in creating much needed honey bee habitat.”
To promote the activities, Noosa, who manufacture yogurts, will be adding wildflower honey to most of their products. With this, Koel Thomae, who co-founded the company, stated: “We’re dedicated to sourcing high-quality American honey, so protecting honey bees in Colorado and beyond is our mission and an important part of our DNA.”
