Chris asked me to forward this to Bee-L: Project Apis m. or PAm was established by beekeepers and pollinated-crop representatives in December, 2006, to fund and direct research to improve the health of honey bee colonies and thereby enable a greater supply of honey bees available for pollinated crops. PAm’s research efforts will focus on applied, project-driven studies with practical, realistic solutions for beekeepers. PAm represents a new vision in research. Traditionally, the Almond Board of California has funded at least half of all U.S. pollination research projects. PAm elevates the impact of beekeepers, as well as pollinated crop stakeholders, in directing research. We are at the threshold of exciting new discoveries in bee colony management and PAm is poised to mine those discoveries. After conducting a thorough survey of research priorities, PAm’s top priority is honey bee health and nutrition. To simplify the results of the survey, much of what ails the beekeeping industry could be mitigated by strong, robust colonies. Vigorous, healthy colonies translates to beekeepers obtaining income from all of their available assets. In the short term, PAm will embark on a comprehensive survey of syrup feeding regimes. Samples will be taken at the manufacturer level as well as at various points within the supply chain, from manufacturer to beekeeper operation, in an effort to understand the variable results of feeding practices. Syrups will be tested for their physical and biological properties as well as presence of contaminants and toxins. Feeding studies on bees will be conducted to determine effect on bee health and longevity. Dan Cummings, beekeeper and almond grower, currently is Chairman of the Board for PAm. You may reach him directly at [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]) . Serving as Executive Director is Chris Heintz, [log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]) . Board members include Lyle Johnston, Steve Park, Joe Traynor and Joe MacIlvaine. You’ll want to be a part of PAm’s research efforts. Contributors will be given the opportunity to have input into PAm’s research priorities and will receive complete reports of research results. The contribution request is $1/hive, beekeeper or grower. PAm is a non-profit organization and your contributions are tax-deductible. Please send your donations to Project Apis m., 1750 Dayton Rd., Chico, CA 95928. As noted previously in the Bee-L ListServ, PAm also serves as a vehicle for contributions to the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) effort. If you are contributing to CCD specifically, please make a note in the memo line on your check. <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. *********************************************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ***********************************************************************************