If honeybees have taught us anything over the past few years, is the fact that they will never be as efficient as Native bees when it comes to pollination. Our President, David Slaybaugh, was featured in the Fruit Grower News-November 2017 Edition and Companion Magazine-June 2018 Edition, explaining why Mt. Ridge Farms has opted to protect and use Native bees for pollination at our farm.
“Pennsylvania blessed by woods and fence rows that provide habitats for wild bees, not disturbing those habitats is an important part of integrated pest and pollination management" -David Slaybaugh (Companion Magazine)
Companion Magazine - June 2018 Edition
As stated in Companion Magazine, more than half of Pennsylvania's growers are choosing Native pollinators over honeybees. Among them, is our President, David Slaybaugh. He believes that native bees are the most diverse and efficient pollinators. In both articles, David, thoroughly explains why we switched from using honeybees to relying solely on Native bees.
One of the factors that make them more efficient is the fact that they work longer during the crucial period when our trees are in bloom. They also fly during cooler temperatures which is necessary here in Pennsylvania since we have a fairly long winter.
You can read the full article on the Companion Magazine virtual edition linked at the bottom of page.
Featured in both articles was an incident that occurred a fews years ago here at the farm when a year came and weather conditions caused our bloom period to coincide with Virginia's bloom period. This specific incident left us without accessibility to rental honeybees. Luckily, we still had a beautiful crop that year. As a result, we recognized the vital role that Native bees play in our crops pollination.
Fruit Grower News - November 2017
"We haven't used honeybees in fifteen years, with no reduction in production or quality" -David Slaybaugh (Good Fruit Grower)
Explained in the Fruit Grower News, are things David has done to protect Native bees habitat and provide a safe environment for them here at the farm. Planting wildflowers that bloom through the season to provide bee forages, hanging nesting boxes along our 600-acre farm, and avoiding to spray pesticides during the two-week period beginning with king bloom through petal fall, were amongst the things mentioned in the Fruit Growers News article.
-Photos and article by David Weinstock
PRESENTLY
David and his son Blake Slaybaugh, continue to utilize solely Native bees and continue to take an active approach to Native bee conservation by providing a safe habitat for them here at the farm.
Visit the link to read the full Companion Magazine article!
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