Sept. 25, 2008
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| UC Davis bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey (far left) and UC Davis apiculturist Eric Mussen look at a bee frame with Valerie Severson of Yuba City. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
DAVIS—The Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, will host California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A. G. Kawamura and the newly selected State Apiary Board on Friday, Oct. 3.
The group, appointed by Kawamura, will gather at the facility on Bee Biology Road, off Hopkins Road. The meeting takes place from 10 to 4 p.m. The five-member board is comprised of Jackie Park-Burris of Palo Cedro, president of the California State Beekeepers' Association; Leroy Brant of Oakdale; Lyle Johnston of Madera; Steve Godlin of Visalia; and Richard Ashurst of Westmorland. They will each serve a four-year term. The UC Davis liaison is apiculturist Eric Mussen, member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology faculty and a Cooperative Extension bee specialist since 1976.
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A. J. Kawamura |
The declining bee population involves stress, pesticides, parasites, diseases, climate change and the mysterious phenomenon, colony collapse disorder. Honey bees pollinate $6 billion worth of crops in California, or one-third of the our diet. Three quarters of the nation’s honey bee colonies are needed to pollinate California’s 700,000 acres of almonds, or two hives per acre.
Among the special guests at the board meeting will be representatives of Häagen-Dazs; the food industry, including Whole Foods; almond growers; dean's office of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; and the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The agenda includes:
9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Arrival
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Apiary board meets
--Opening remarks by CDFA Secretary A. G. Kawamura and Mary-Ann Warmerdam, director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
--Welcome and introductions: Gerry Miller of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Jackie Park-Burris, president of the California State Beekeepers’ Association, and Lynn Kimsey, chair of the Department of Entomology, UC Davis
--Seating of the State Apiary Board Members: Secretary of Ag A. G. Kawamura
--Review of the State Apiary Board: Member Roles and Responsibilities: Gerry Miller
--CDFA’s role
--Nomination and election of chair
--Issues concerning the California Apiary Industry for Board Consideration: Open floor
11:30 to 12:30: Tour of the Laidlaw facility
12:30 to 1:45: Lunch and presentations by UC Davis
1:45 to 3:15: Apiary Board resumes meeting
--Issues concerning the California Apiary Industry for board consideration, open floor
3:30 p.m.: Set date, time, location and agenda items for next meeting
4 p.m.: Meeting adjourned
Directions to Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
From the Sacramento Area: Take Interstate 80 westbound to State Route 113 north. At the eastern edge of Davis, take State Route 113 northbound (toward Woodland); exit at Hutchison Drive. Turn left to go west (away from the central UC Davis campus) toward the campus airport; turn left onto Hopkins Road and then left on Bee Biology Road.
From the San Francisco Bay Area:Take Interstate 80 eastbound to State Route 113 north. At the eastern edge of Davis, take State Route 113 northbound (toward Woodland); exit at Hutchison Drive. Turn left to go west (away from the central UC Davis campus) toward the campus airport; turn left onto Hopkins Road and then left on Bee Biology Road.
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--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
