Georgia Conservancy V.P. of Advancement, Ric Felker, set up his first bee colony last Thursday with help from a member from Heard County, Jimmy Pressley. Ric and Jimmy are part of a small but growing movement to help the declining bee population.
Honeybees worldwide are falling prey to problems including disease, pests and the mysterious colony collapse disorder. Some scientists estimate a 50 percent decline in population since the second half of the 20th century.
North Carolina State University’s apiculture program recently launched “Born and Bred in N.C.: Initiative on Queen-Rearing and Bee-Breeding,” a program of statewide workshops funded by a $60,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. Over 400 participants have already signed up to learn how to selectively raise queen bees from their own stock.
