One in three bites of the food we eat is made possible because of pollinators.
Have you given much thought to the importance of bees? It’s definitely a hot topic in the farming community. Yet, I feel like we tend to forget or bypass the reality. Bees are in fast decline, which threatens our entire ecosystem, including the food we eat every single day. But you can do something. With summer right around the corner, I encourage you to take a sustainable day trip and learn first hand what’s truly going on. And how you can also make an impact.
‘Give Bees A Chance’ A Sustainable Summer Activity
The 28-acre Cascadian Home Farm is just 2 hours Northeast of Seattle, nestled in the heart of Upper Skagit Valley. One of the most fundamental organic farms in the nation for over 40 years, they continue to pave the way in sustainable farming producing blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, hardy kiwis, peppers, corn and pumpkins – all without the use of pesticides.
You can visit their Roadside Stand, open daily, May – October. Pick up fresh, seasonal berries or homemade organic ice cream, along with a variety of organic snacks for your road trip across the Cascade Mountains.
Whole Kids Foundation
The Whole Kids Foundation has partnered with Cascadian Farm and Wholesum Harvest for an amazing campaign called ‘Give Bees A Chance.’ They’re raising funds to support local schools with educational bee hives. And they have nearly 250 schools waiting for honey bee hive grants.
You can learn more about the campaign, by visiting Gives Bees A Chance. And stay tuned because my girls will be launching their very own fundraiser with Whole Kids Foundation to save the pollinators!
DID YOU KNOW: Pollinators are necessary for the reproduction of nearly 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants. Including about three-quarters of crop species. Bees especially are important for the pollination of most of our crop plants.
Bees make it possible for us to enjoy a variety of foods. Many of which would no longer be available in the absence of bee pollination. But bee populations are declining. Honey bees for example are suffering from a combination of stress factors including loss of habitat, parasites and diseases, and pesticide exposure. Unfortunately many wild pollinators are faring even worse. A recent analysis by the Xerces Society for example, found that nearly 30% of North America’s bumble bee species may now be at risk of extinction!
Want to help? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Plant native wildflowers for bees – and don’t worry, unlike wasps, most wild bees are gentle and unlikely to sting.
- Create homes for bees, such as brush piles and bumble bee boxes. Share your efforts with others to bring more awareness to the plight of the bees.
Why we’re getting schools involved
Whole Kids Foundation ‘supports schools and inspires families to improve children’s nutrition and wellness. Given the right opportunities, kids will get excited about fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutritious whole foods.’ The children are our future and we need to educate them on the importance of bees. What better way than to have them actively involved in the improvement of the pollinator population?
The Cost
$1500 will provide a school or nonprofit organization the opportunity to purchase or receive a honey bee hive for their campus. $750 provides 12 – 13 professional grade child’s beekeeping suits. $350 provides the one-time installation of an observational hive. $150 helps provide schools and organizations pollinator-focused books and educational materials.
The goal is to raise $100,000 and they’re already half way there…here’s where you come in. Consider making a donation towards the main campaign or wait for ours to launch in the next couple weeks – either way – it really is the gift that gives back. I promise.
If you’d like learn more about the bee population, definitely add a sustainable activity like visiting the Cascadian Home Farm to your summer bucket list. It’s good for the earth and good for the soul…
We had the opportunity of visiting the Cascadian Home Farm, along with the Whole Kids Foundation, for a beautiful tour and sustainable conversation which just so happened to be on the first day of strawberry harvest. They also treated us to a gracious lunch which I’m sharing with you to further my point of how amazing local farmers are and how they take their crops to heart.
If you’re feeling extra inspired after reading this post, you are welcome to host your own fundraiser, as well! What a great project for your kids this summer! A lemonade stand, car wash, or yard work could have a whole new meaning!
And if anything, please pin the image below! Thank you sweet friends!
XoXo Portia
*Photos by Jasmine Klein Photography
Disclosure: This is a sponsored this post. The opinions expressed here represent my own, which I take great pride in providing pure honesty…because I’m OBSESSED with sharing the Good!