After the Government-controlled Monsanto almost killed off the bees, now the Government wants to pay people to raise bees? Does that mean the bee industry is about to go under Government control?
(TRFW News) Recently, there have been a lot of concerns raised in regards to the bee population in the United States and what this could mean for farmers. The government is hoping that by cutting expenses that many people will step up to increase bee colonies and raise bee’s.
Virginia’s state government has set aside $125,000 for grant money to encourage people to consider the value of raising bees. The grant funding began due to the 2012 report of bee’s dying from colony collapses, parasites, pesticides, and disease. (1)
Virginia residents, 18 years or older, who purchase a new hive, materials or supplies to construct a hive can apply for a grant that will be for the amount of expenses incurred, no greater than $2,400 per individual per year. (1)
USDA allocates millions of dollars to create bee habitats
The USDA (Department of Agriculture) announced on June 20, 2014 their own program to help boost beekeeping. This program has set aside 8 million dollars in incentives for those living in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Research has shown that more than half of commercially managed honey bees are in these states. The 8 million dollars is in addition to the 3 million dollars already allocated to the Midwest to encourage honey bee production. The money allocated in this program is to manage or replace vegetation with high nutrition seed mixes that can encourage blooming cycles the benefit the bee’s pollination.(1)
Massive drop in number of honey bee colonies
The USDA reports that the number of honey bee colonies in the United States as dropped from 6 million in 1947 to 2.5 million today. (2) The ARS (Agricultural Research Services) are currently investigating bee genetics, breeding, biology, physiology, with focuses on nutrition, control of parasites and the effects of pesticide exposure. (3)
Due to the majority of the nations fruits and vegetable productions dependency on bee’s, President Obama issued a memorandum directing that steps be taking to protect and restore honey bees into the agricultural system. (1)
Sources for this article include:
(1) www.goodnewsnetwork.org
(2) www.usda.gov
(3) www.farmandranchguide.com
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/nXUtxC
http://news.therawfoodworld.com/government-willing-pay-raise-bees/
“The government is hoping that by cutting expenses that many people will step up to increase bee colonies and raise bee’s.”
BULLSH#T!!!
It that’s true, why does the FDA rubber-stamp everything from Monsanto, who, along with Bayer CropScience, is responsible for the vast majority of the bee deaths.
http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/bayer-cropscience-and-bee-deaths/36276/
Agreed. This doesn’t add up at all. You’d think Barry would start taxing or fining you for raising bees, NOT paying you.
Something rotten in Denmark.
I’ve planned on raising bees for a long time as part of my food production goals here, but I don’t want a dime from Obama, and he’s not going anywhere near my bees.
Only patriots eat here. Everyone else can starve as far as I’m concerned.
Leave it to the Lyin’ King to want to give everything and everybody a subsidy.