What's Commercial Beekeeping?
Have you ever wondered what commercial beekeeping is and why it's so important? Well, you're not alone. With the decline of wild bee populations, commercial beekeepers like Martin Tinoco of Tinonos Pollination Services in California are working hard to ensure that the bees are thriving and that our food systems remain healthy and diverse.
Last fall, we had the opportunity to work with Martin as he picked up our bees for the annual almond pollination season in California. In February 2023, we got to visit Martin in California and see first-hand the important work that commercial beekeepers do.
Commercial Beekeeping in California
Visiting Martin we were able to see his passion for his work and all things bees. He provides crucial pollination services to farmers in California, including the pollination of almond trees, which is one of the first crops to bloom in the spring. His bees play a vital role in ensuring a successful harvest for farmers. As well helping save the bees.
During our visit, we got to see Martin tend to the hives and ensured that the bees had enough food, water, and were healthy. We also able to watch as the bees worked hard to pollinate the flowers and gather nectar to bring back to the hive. The dedication as well care that Martin and his team bring to their work was truly inspiring for all type of beekeepers.
What's The Difference Between Commercial Beekeeping and Backyard Beekeeping?
So, what's the difference between commercial beekeeping and backyard beekeeping? Well, commercial beekeepers like Martin maintain large numbers of hives, often in multiple locations, and provide crucial pollination services to farmers. They also place a greater emphasis on the health and well-being of their bees and use various techniques and technologies to make sure the bees have access to a variety of flowers and plants for food.
But even if you're not interested in commercial beekeeping, there are still ways you can support bees and the ecosystems they live in. For example, you can become a backyard beekeeper and keep a few hives in your own backyard. You can also plant flowers and plants that bees love, like lavender, sunflowers, and clover.
How Can You Support Bees and the Ecosystems They Live In?
At Harvest Lane Honey, we offer a range of products for backyard beekeepers, bee allies, and commercial beekeepers. Whether you're just starting out with beekeeping or are an experienced beekeeper, we have everything you need to support your bees and help preserve the health of our pollinators and the ecosystems they support.
If you're not interested in beekeeping don't worry bee ally there are different ways on how you can support bees. One way is planting bee friendly wild flowers. Having wild flowers near your home helps any local bees be able to find food for their home. Another way you can support bees is buying honey, or any bee products from local beekeepers.
In conclusion there are many ways you can support bees and the ecosystems they live in, whether through commercial beekeeping, backyard beekeeping, or simply planting flowers that bees love. At Harvest Lane Honey, we're proud to be part of the larger community of beekeepers and farmers working to ensure that bees continue to play a vital role in our world for generations to come.
Want to see some great photos from our trip to California, be sure to check out the bottom of the page!
