Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter D.A.R. “Bee”comes a Friend to Pollinators

The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted guest speaker, Fred Tyler, aka “Mr. Honey Bee,” on April 8, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Dandridge. Mr. Tyler’s message illustrated the importance of honey bees to our ecosystem and how their preservation is critical to the human race. This topic is near and dear to our hearts bee”cause the theme for Charlotte Reynolds, state regent, is based on the importance of preservation. Mrs. Reynolds has based her vision and message on James 1:22 from the Bible. “Be you doers of the word, and not hearers only.” The motto for her term is “Bee Energized by Patriotism, Bee Involved with Education, Bee Enthusiastic for Historic Preservation.” Best of all, her symbol is, you guessed it, a bee!

BEES PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN NATURE
Bees pollinate 80% of flowering plants on Earth. One single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day. Bee pollination helps to provide nourishing habits for animals like birds and other insects. Bees are major contributors the floral landscapes that we know and love in nature.

BEES ARE VITAL TO THE HUMAN FOOD SUPPLY
One of the biggest reasons to care about saving the bees? HONEY! No honey bees, no honey. Bees pollinate 70 of the top 100 human food crops. 1 in 3 bites of food we eat is derived from plants pollinated by bees. Bees pollinate about 75% of fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the US. Almonds are totally dependent on bee pollination. No bees, no almonds. Avocados, apples, and cherries are over 90% dependent on bee pollination. Cucumbers, kiwis, and melon are majorly dependent on bee pollination.

MODERN AGRICULTURE IS KNOWN TO BE KILLING THE BEES
Scientists believe honey bees are dying from pesticides. 1/3 of the 77 million acres of soybean crop use seeds coated in pesticides linked to killing bees. The chemical industry has spent millions on PR to deny a link between pesticide use and bee deaths. In 1947 there were 6 million honey bee hives in the US. Today there are under 3 million.

BEES HAVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Bees have been producing honey from flowering plants for 10-20 million years. Honey is mentioned in the Vedic texts and Sumerian and Babylonian cuneiform writings. Honey was used in ancient Egyptian kitchens as a sweetening agent and as a tribute or form of payment. Honey was used for medicinal purposes in American Colonies in the 17th Century.

REMEMBER: IF IT IS GOOD FOR A BIRD, IT IS GOOD FOR A BEE.

FOR MORE INFORMTION:
Jefferson County Beekeepers
Meets: 2nd Monday of each month at 6pm
Location: UT Extension Service
1111 Lake Drive
Dandridge, TN
Contact: Fred Tyler
865-322-3363