Around Randolph: Combating bee colony collapse in Portage County

“Be like the honeybee who gathers only nectar wherever it goes.” – Amma

In the midst of colony collapse, extreme weather patterns, pesticides, neonicotinoid treated seeds, and varroa mites, Mary Lovin has found ways to help bees thrive. Since a third of all food is pollinated by bees, all of us in Randolph are fortunate that Mary (and other local beekeepers) are enhancing the productivity of our farms and gardens. According to an article from Iowa State University, honey bees can increase the yield of soybean crops up to 20%. Unfortunately, last winter commercial beekeepers in Ohio had a 66% loss of colonies.