>>Why not? a friend lost 2000 hives in Zucchini pollination. Others in apple & orange.

Long Island (east of NYC) has relatively few farming areas but there some orchards and pumpkin fields.  The beekeepers that I know who go to pollinate them observe hives suffering problems as compared to their other hives in their suburban outyards.  Modern agricultural practices relying more on chems and less on IPM and disease resistant crops, are not bee friendly.  I decline to take my hives to pollinate even though the pollination fees are quite attractive.

I am adding 5 more fruit trees to my backyard orchard this year.  I am selecting the most disease resistant cultivars I can find.  Unlike the supermarkets, I don't mind an occasional worm in my home grown apples.  The worm is an indicator of a wholesome food.

Waldemar 


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