The enrollment period for Project Apis m.’s (PAm) Seeds for Bees program is coming to a close, ending Aug. 31, 2023. Seed availability is limited, but growers are still encouraged to apply.
Growers must plant a minimum of four acres of cover crop, reside and farm commercial, honey bee-pollinated crops in California, and agree to complete a short annual survey and provide two photographs. This is in addition to the application and short phone consultation with the program. As a new offering for the 2023-2024 year, beekeepers with commercial yards in California are also eligible to apply.
The application consists of 54 brief questions primarily about the farm, such as soil, irrigation, crop, planned planting dates, farm goals regarding cover crops, etc.
Those participating in the program for the first time are eligible for $2,500 worth of free seed, and second-year participants are eligible for $1,500 in free seed. This is an increase from previous years.
“The Seeds for Bees program has been more popular than ever as applications have increased every year since its start in 2013,” said Stetcyn Maldonado, Seeds for Bees program manager. “So far, we’ve been able to meet the increased demand. However, with the deadline fast approaching, interested applicants should consider applying soon while supplies last.”
Both Project Apis m. and Almond Board of California provides many resources regarding the planting, management, and termination of its several seed mixes. While California’s precipitation can be unpredictable, planting cover crops in October — if not earlier — should allow enough time for adequate winter rainfall for the cover crop. In years with exceptional rainfall, such as the 2023 season, these covers crops can also help with water management.
PAm offers five seed mixes for growers: Pollinator Brassica Mix, Annual Bee Clover Mix, Bio Build3 Mix, NitroBuilder, and the Pollinator Wildflower Mix. Each serves a different purpose, such as water infiltration or nitrogen fixation, in addition to providing bee forage.
A new mix — Purple Sun — is a blend of sunflowers and wildflowers, and has been designed to be especially supportive of bees and beekeepers. This blend was inspired by recent research that showed sunflower pollen can reduce varroa mite in hives, and hives placed near sunflower plantings demonstrated this. Since sunflower cultivation as a whole is down in the U.S., Project Apis m. hopes to increase sunflower forage.
Free shipping is included, though growers within 50 miles of a seed distribution center are asked to pick up seed in order to allow more funding to go directly to providing free seed.
Main photo: A new cover crop during almond bloom.
Photos: Project Apis m.
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