Bayer teams with Project Apis m. on Seeds for Bees project

Project Apis m., the largest, nonprofit, non-governmental bee research organization in the U.S., is teaming with Bayer to feed bees used for commercial pollination through the Seeds for Bees project.

The project is focusing on before and after the almond bloom, when bees are most at risk because of limited options for food. This period spans the beginning of July through the end of November.

Bayer provided $100,000 to Project Apis m. to send seed mixes to growers in the Central Valley of California who have agreed to participate in the program. Honey bees travel to Washington State after the almond bloom to help pollinate apples, so Seeds for Bees is starting the program there this year.

Bayer CropScience's Western Field Technology Station near Fresno, California, is also working with Project Apis m. to conduct a study to determine which cover crops are most attractive and nutritious for bees, with the goal of perfecting the seed mixtures sent to growers.