While overall agricultural production decreased between 2007 and 2009 in Marin, things have been looking up ever since, and the resurgence of the bee population mirrors this trend. Who’s been leading the bee efforts? Mostly amateur beekeepers, who have been saturating areas of the county with stock that helps repel parasitic mites. That effort, coupled with the county’s sustainability practices, pest and weed management, and the livestock protection program, has made for a winning year. In fact, every sector saw growth except nonorganic dairy. “If we were not in a drought, we believe the value of the [entire] organic industry would be much higher,” says county Agriculture Commissioner Stacy Carlsen. Here are the 2014 numbers:
Honeybee Comeback
