Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Bees And Trees: The Ecological Ramifications Of Our "Honey-Nut" Agriculture, Becci Larreau

Scholars Week

People love almonds and honey bees. The honey bee is the only agriculturally-reliable pollinator of almond trees. California produces the entire domestic supply of almonds, and ~80% of the international supply. In early spring, nearly all of the commercially-managed beehives in the nation travel by truck to California to pollinate the almond orchards. They remain for a mere few weeks and then move on to other areas to service other crops or to seek honey forage. Migratory beekeepers are the linchpin that keeps the wheels of this particular agricultural system in motion. Without the migratory beekeeping industry, California's multi-billion dollar …