Above /Â Protect honeybees such as this one photographed in a field along I-88 in Naperville so they also can pollinate crops.
UPDATE, May 3, 2016 / During tonight’s Naperville City Council meeting under “New Business,” Councilwoman Becky Anderson created a little buzz when she mentioned an email she’d received from a resident in Cress Creek who had concerns about a neighbor with seven beehives in his back yard. After a brief discussion regarding beekeeping, followed by council’s directing city staff to do a little research to come up with the appropriate number, the councilmans’ thoughts turned to the importance of bees in nature and the world’s food supply.
Take note: No farmers. No honeybees. No food.
Naperville Gardener Ron Ory suggests a little clarification about honeybees and corn that is self-pollinated or wind pollinated. “I believe most corn is wind pollinated. That’s why I tell beginning gardeners to plant in clumps not just a single row.” Â
Original Post, July 27, 2013 / This Internet truly is amazing. On Thursday Positively Naperville published online a story about sweet corn growing in the Midwest with a small mention of the importance of honeybees for pollination.
“Plus, many farmers also raise bees in hives that pollinate crops and produce honey, available at local farmer’s markets. Be sure to learn about the vitally important honeybees that pollinate crops during every growing season, and what they mean to the nation’s food supply. Plus, ask beekeepers why you can store honey for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and it will not spoil.”
Within two days, an email contact appeared in PN’s mailbox connecting the story to one man’s beekeeping mission to “protect these vital creatures” and educate folks about the honeybee.
According to the email from Ted Dennard, a lifelong beekeeper who resides in Savannah, Georgia, “A study published Wednesday in the journal PLoS ONE (an inclusive, peer-reviewed, open-access resource from the Public Library of Science)Â by scientists at the University of Maryland and the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated, ‘Recent research is uncovering diverse sub-lethal effects of pesticides on bees.’ Earlier this spring, the USDA released a report stating its fears that the U.S. does not have enough honeybees to pollinate crops this year, meaning our nation’s food supply could be at risk.”
The news release went on to say Dennard officially started recently The Bee Cause Project. The nonprofit initiative aims to teach children the ABCs of honeybees, beekeeping, and the importance of both.
“The goal of The Bee Cause Project is to put observation hives in 1,000 schools, instilling a sense of responsibility for our environment in our nation’s children,” noted Dennard.
Dennard recognizes the importance of raising future generations of honeybee advocates, making himself available to instruct children in local and regional classrooms, at science fairs, and on field trips. “I want to raise a generation of kids that know how important the honeybee is,” Dennard said. “A generation that when someone says ‘bee,’ they don’t think ‘sting’ but they think of the wonderful little pollinator and its role in the ecosystem and our lives.”
In recent years, local beekeeper Jeffrey Knuckles made himself available to  present programs to the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown about his Illinois experiences with honeybee hives. Earlier this summer, Knuckles moved to Maine where he likely will continue creating awareness about honeybees and all the benefits of the honey they produce.
Dennard’s contact led this editor to research local beekeepers and stories that can be found online to help create awareness.
Honeybees on exhibit at Illinois State Fair
Also, the Illinois State Beekeeping Association (ISBA) will have a booth at the 2013 Illinois State Fair held Aug. 8-18, 2013. The booth will be located in the Illinois Building where honey ice cream will be available for purchase.
According to the ISBA website, “The honey ice cream is made especially for the ISBA just before the start of the Illinois State Fair and this is the only time of the year you will be able to enjoy it.”
The Illinois State Fairgrounds are located at 801 Sangamon Ave, Springfield.
CITY COUNCIL Â / May 3, 2016 Listen to bee discussion under “New Business”
RELATED PN STORY /Â Midwest corn is growing
DAILY HERALD / Bees & Honey at Kline Creek Farm
