Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by pollinating animals such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, or by the wind.
What does pollination do?
The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization, and successful seed and fruit production for plants. Pollination ensures that a plant will produce full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds.
Why does pollination matter to us?
• Worldwide, roughly 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend.
• Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include: apples, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and tequila.
• In the United States, pollination by honey bees, native bees, and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.
With all of that being said North Course Superintendent, Nate Tegtmeier and myself have invested into starting a couple colonies of bees. These bees are being kept next to the fence on #16 South by the garden. We have purchased about 18,000 bees to be split into 2 hives with their queens. I have included some photos of Nate loading the bees and working to getting the Queen bee into the correct place in the hive.
It has been very interesting and if you have an interest in watching us do our work please let us know.We also will be using some of the honey in the clubhouse this fall. Stay we hope our bees have a bountiful harvest season.
