Peoria, Illinois – June 3, 2014 – Janet Hart will present a program titled “The Changing World of Honeybees” on Wednesday, June 25, at the Peoria County Farm Bureau. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Farm Bureau building is located at the Interstate 74 exit ramp (#91) and University Street in Peoria.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about one-third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants, and the honeybee is responsible for 80 percent of that pollination. Food products that bees assist with pollination include soybeans, apples, alfalfa, blueberries, pears, cherries, cranberries, oranges, almonds, melons, and many more. Many of these require commercial beekeepers which move bees from one place to another in order to pollinate different crops during their bloom time.
Beekeepers must stay abreast of viruses, parasites, neonicotinoids, and factors that cause Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD became known in 2006 when a beekeeper discovered 80% of his 3,000 beehives were suddenly without bees. Despite the challenges, there were 2500 registered beekeepers in Illinois in 2013.
Janet and her husband, Danny, have been beekeeping near Kickapoo for almost twenty years. They have been very active in the Heart of Illinois Beekeepers, holding several offices. Janet is the past Central Director for the Illinois State Beekeepers and in 2005 was awarded their Beekeeper of the Year award. Beekeeping has become very challenging in today’s world and to keep abreast of the changing information, Janet attended this year’s American Beekeeping Federation Conference in Baton Rouge, LA.
Janet will also bring a demo hive to the program. Hart’s Honeybees have supplied a demo hive at the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library the last few years.
The presentation is open to the public and anyone with an interest in honeybees is welcome to attend. No reservations are necessary and light refreshments will be served. Questions can be directed to the Peoria County Farm Bureau at 309-686-7070.