The value of honeybees to food production, the environment and mankind is a cause being championed by the San Antonio Green Market in Santa Cruz.This Bee Cause is shared with the market community through a series of talks and demonstrations by beekeepers, an arts and craft contest, and planting of bee-friendly horticulture. An educational video filmed at the market shows willing volunteers for "bee therapy" at the market, applying live bee stings for medicinal benefits.
According to Bede Rajahram, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Beekeepers Association, honey comprises all the substances necessary to maintain life such as water, enzymes, minerals and vitamins.Rajahram says people often think of bees as a danger but he shares that they react to people's energy or fear and would otherwise not attack humans. He wants people to recognise some bee facts:
�2 Bees are disappearing worldwide
�2 Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) refers to the mass disappearance of bees
�2 CCD is caused by global warming, pesticide use, habitat loss and parasites
�2 Without these pollinators many food crops and plants would die off
�2 Bees pollinate a third of all the plants that humans consume
�2 Honeybees pollinate broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, pigeon peas, paw paw, coconut, coffee, green peppers, melon, cucumbers, lime, carrots, avocado apples and eggplant and much more produce that comprise the human diet
�2 Beeswax contributes to a variety of items like candles, hair food, and creams
�2 In Trinidad in 2005 beekeeping declined from 720 to 350 beekeepers
�2 Local honey production exceeded $7 million in sales before the decline
The Green Market hopes to inspire others to pursue more information and educate themselves and others about the honey bees and their important role in nature.
The Bee Cause slogan is Don't Spray Me, I'm Bee Food, and the Green Market will be hosting a 'Day of Planting' on June 8, where adults and children are invited to plant at the market. People are also encouraged to plant in their home gardens and submit photos for a community page. Artisans are also invited to submit works inspired by bees for consideration that will be on display, and the winner will receive a prize and honourable mention.
At the Green Market today at 9 am there will a screening of the child-friendly animated film The Bee Movie.
�2 For more information, check the Facebook page at facebook.com/ GreenMarketSantaCruz. The website is http://www.sanantoniogreenmarket.com.