World Honey Bee Day is the third Saturday in August, on the 16th of this year, bringing a buzz of celebration for beekeepers, honey lovers, and all blooming things.
World Honey Bee Day began as National Honey Bee Day in 2009, with a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsek. The day grew rapidly, bringing awareness to the benefits and environmental needs of honey bees.
The day recognizes both the honey bee and the beekeepers who tend the hives. It also encourages us to buy and enjoy locally grown honey whenever we can.
In honor of Honey Bee Day, Hattingdon is wearing her “Honey” fashion hat, along with two sweet honey bees. Darling.
Six ways to celebrate
- Collect and spread local wildflower seeds to promote honey bee pollination.
- Flavors of honey vary depending on the variety of flowers and nectar available to the bees.
- Clover, alfalfa, lavender, orange, and chestnut are just a few to choose from.
- Replace your usual sweetener with honey for the day. Taste the difference!
- Give the gift of honey to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.
- Share your sweet honey stories on social media tagging #WorldHoneyBeeDay.
The indispensable role of pollination
Bees are arguably the most important pollinators on the planet, facilitating the reproduction of countless plant species, including many that are essential for human food production. Their hairy bodies efficiently collect pollen, which they then inadvertently transfer from flower to flower as they forage for nectar, the sweet reward that fuels their activity. This process of pollination is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, underpinning both natural ecosystems and agricultural systems worldwide.
Support pollinators
When we plant wildflowers, orchards, and other flowering plants, we support pollinators such as honey bees. They depend on the nectar of a variety of plants for their survival. Conversely, we depend on honeybees for our survival, too! Without their pollinating abilities, many nutritious plants are unable to reproduce.
About the day
World Honey Bee Day began as National Honey Bee Day in 2009 with a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsek. The day grew rapidly bringing awareness to the benefits and environmental needs of honey bees.
Sources: » National Day Calendar » Almanac.com »
See also: » How Do Bees Affect the Environment? »
HATTINGDON HORSES 