Pairing beekeepers with organic farms

More than 100 organic farmers have offered use of their land to commercial beekeepers, as part of a new program facilitated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. State organic program leader Meg Moynihan said that the authorities are helping beekeepers find organic farms by creating an online resource to connect them to each other, reports Star Tribune (http://www.startribune.com/in-search-of-extra-honey-matching-minnesota-beekepers-with-organic-farms/307411371/)

A healthy hive needs millions of flowers to make honey, and organic farms typically have many of them growing within the fields.  Organic farms also may offer different sources of pollen and nectar that appeal to honeybees, with less risk of pesticide exposure. On organic farms, the bee colonies tend to make a little more honey, he said, and are usually stronger and healthier in the fall, enabling them to survive winter at a higher rate, compared to other locations. Interested beekeepers and others can review organic farm availability (www.mda.state.mn.us/hivehosts.aspx)