Sticky Innovation Book Club
The Beekeepers Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America
The four main themes that I feel best connected the Book Club Presentations are short and simple: Science, Teamwork, Determination, and History. Below, I go more in-depth on my reasoning for these connections.
Science: The major theme of 'science' overlays several smaller themes featured in the Book Club presentations. Possibly the dominant and scariest theme is climate change. Climate change can majorly affect all of the stakeholders in the bee business. As talked about in The Beekeeper's Lament, bees need a certain climate in order to pollinate plants and to produce the maximal amount of honey. If the weather begins to become unpredictable across the four seasons, it will prove traumatic to the bee business. This could lead to hand-pollination because of colder weather that causes bees to be dormant during farming seasons. Another major science-based theme is the fight against varroa mites and Colony Collapse Disorder. A scientific approach is a must to develop efficient solutions to these problems. In The Beekeeper's Lament, beekeepers and scientists collaborated at research universities to take the first step in using science to save the bees, which leads into the next theme: Teamwork.
Teamwork: An obvious theme expressed with bees is teamwork, however; this was also seen in all of the books that were presented in class. We typically think about bees working together to make honey, to create shelter, and to keep each other warm. Another member of their team is often forgotten. Pollinator-friendly plants are a crucial member of a bee's team. Bees need pollen and nectar, while pollinating plants need bees to aid in their reproduction. Another major network of individuals seen within the presentations were the connections between the bee and the beekeeper. At a certain point, the two entities begin to rely on each other. In John Miller's case, the bees allow him to make a living and support his family. Meanwhile, Miller makes the bees shelter and attempts to fight off dangers, such as varroa mites, that can harm the bees.
Determination: With all of the negative affairs occurring with bees and beekeepers, determination was a pillar displayed across all of the books that were read in the class. Bees must perform their necessary activities daily to keep the hive intact and to keep up with the team. If bees were not determined to bring nectar to the hive, they would not have enough nutrients to survive the winter or to feed their brood. The determination of beekeepers is essential to the survival of their hives. If beekeepers did not fight back against varroa mites, colony-collapse disorder, and insecticides, bee populations could dwindle down to an endangered state. Beekeepers also need to continuously pass the tradition of beekeeping. All of the books were written with the purpose of spreading information about bees, and in turn, helping spread the word about how to keep the global bee population high and healthy.
History: The history of the bee world was communicated as significant within most of the books. By studying causes of bee deaths and solutions to these issues, beekeepers can brainstorm new ideas to battle new issues. History can also inspire others to join the cause of assisting bees. By seeing the efforts put together by previous beekeepers, other individuals may want to continue the traditions that received so much exertion and labor. In The Beekeeper's Lament, the author mentions how John Miller's grandpa implemented migratory beekeeping in the United States. This historical context shows the growth that has occurred in beekeeping and gives hope for the innovations that can materialize in the future.