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Bee Products for Income
Honey bees can be an important source of nutritional or medicinal products, and/or income. Honey is the main product from honey bee keeping, providing dietary carbohydrate (sugar) and a variety
The Bee Market
Bees maintained with modern culture methods in manmade hives readily produce harvestable amounts of honey and other bee products. Beekeepers looking to establish and build local markets for their products
Bee Tools and Equipment
Basic equipment for commercial beekeeping consists of wooden boxes to house the bee colony, with a special base giving bees an area for entry and exit. Inside these boxes, wooden
The Cycle of the Beehive
Bee colony life history is an annual cycle that syncs with bee forage resources. During the rainy season, colonies are smallest; at this time, beekeepers may supplement with sugar feeding.
Bee Swarms
Swarming is a natural behavior of honey bees. Bees swarm as they outgrow their existing homesite. A swarm consists of a single queen and a large population of workers who
Bee Stings
Bees sting to defend their nest and themselves when disturbed. Beekeeping requires perseverance — and tolerance to stings. Using personal protective equipment and a smoker will help, but beekeepers may
Bee Pests and Diseases
Bee and nest pests, along with disease-causing pathogens, seek bee products such as honey and beeswax as a resource. Food reserves, the bees themselves and their nests, all attract a
Mendez, Caswell and Bacon Author “Food Security and Smallholder Coffee production”
Food 4 Farmers Board members and University of Vermont researchers Ernesto Mendez and Martha Caswell, with Chris Bacon of Santa Clara University, have published a report on food insecurity in
Rick Peyser, Bill Mares author Brewing Change
Brewing Change Behind the Bean at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Rick Peyser and Bill Mares Part travelogue, part inspiring social commentary, and part motivating business model, Brewing Change is about
Bill Mares Talks Bees, Trees and Coffee Beans
Board member Bill Mares, who heads the Vermont Beekeepers Association and the Eastern Apicultural Society, talked about the strong connection between beekeeping and coffee with WCAX. Watch here
Update from SOPPEXCCA
From Marcela: In Spanish there is a saying 'No es lo mismo verla venir, que bailar con ella' or, 'It's not the same to see her coming, than to dance
Coffee Farmers Key Allies in Fighting Climate Change
Food4Farmers Board member Dr. Ernesto Mendez recently published a policy paper demonstrating that smallholder coffee farmers are key allies in fighting climate change. Read more on prioritizing food security and livelihoods