Dear Reader

Albert Einstein once observed 'No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more man'.  With bees responsible for pollinating three quarters of the worlds leading food crops, they are without doubt an essential part of modern agriculture.  But as with so many things in todays modern world they are under threat and therefore experienced, skilled bee keepers are more important than ever.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Growing Skills.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information.

Best wishes

Bees and Humans: Partners in Pollination

Bees are responsible for the continued success of many leading commercial crops, indeed it is estimated that one in three mouthfuls of the food we eat directly or indirectly depend on pollination by bees.  They are also vital to many of the flowering plant species that bloom in our gardens, parks and open fields. 

Despite their essential role bees face increasing threats from human activity, pests and disease and in recent years the bee population has been in worrying decline.  Well known UK journalist and bee keeper Alison Benjamin argues that the current disappearance of bees represents a bigger problem to man-kind than climate change.  It is therefore more important than ever to support and grow our bee keeping community. 

In the UK bee keepers, both commercial and amateur, look after more than 80% of our bee colonies.  They are expert in providing shelter, medication and new queens as well as important experience, research and development that helps to protect this vital resource.

Bees Under Threat

The Varroa mite is widely accepted to be the major pest affecting European bee colonies.  This nasty parasitic mite feeds on the blood of adult bees whilst at the same time injecting them with a virus that can cause physical deformities such as damaged of missing legs and wings.

Bee keepers have long been at war with this mite, using chemicals or mitocides to control it or even trapping methods to physically remove the mite from their hives.  But over the last decade the mite has mutated to develop resistance to chemical treatments. 

However, thanks to recent research a cure is on the way.  Scientists have developed a genetic technique that will eventually lead to an anti-varroa medicine that can be added to bee food to protect them and the hive as a whole from this vicious mite.

Training and Development

Here at the Rural Skills Centre we subscribe to the notion that it is important that the future of beekeeping is safe-guarded by individuals with the skills to care of the UKs honey bees.   We work with experienced and beginner bee keepers to provide hands on training and advice on a wide range of beekeeping topics and personal safety information such as types of bee suits and equipment.

We are also soon to launch the LANTRA and British BeeKeepers Association (BBKA) Introduction to Beekeeping Award, a fantastic foundation level qualification for anyone interested in working with bees.  This Qualification gives learners the skills and knowledge they need to make the craft of beekeeping a sustainable activity and improve the quality of beekeeping. 

For more information please contact me by email or telephone 01285 889873.