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We are
committed to helping the honeybee. We do not use
chemicals, pesticides or antibiotics to manage the problems bees are facing. We believe they are the main cause
of their problems. In the U.S., more than 70% of commercial hives perished in 2009. The spring of 2010 is proving
to be worse. 90% of wild colonies are gone due to their weakened state. Beekeepers are not replacing hives
because they can not afford to stay in the business. If this continues, they will cease to exist by the year 2035.
Without them fruits and vegetables with seeds will disappear. The impact on our wild fauna would be devastating. Make
no mistake. We can not survive without them.
In some areas of China where villagers depend on fruit crops
for economic survival, crops are pollinated by hand. Yields are small and unreliable. This is not a viable solution.
The honeybee is gone there. Killed by pesticides.
As active environmentalists and founders of
Meadowlake Farm, not only is it our desire but we believe it is our duty to remain as objective as we can about what is happening
to our planet. Our views are as fact based and up to date as they can be. We devote considerable time
and effort to this because it matters if solutions will be had. Our view on the honeybee crisis, is unchanged:
Unsound choices have brought bees to the point that they can't survive. We are all responsible for
this tragedy. Yes, all of us. As consumers, our desire for 'perfect' fruits and vegetables year round as well
as the perfect lawn and garden has contributed immensely. It is clear that these factors all play a role:
*Pesticides, antibiotics, herbicides and environmental chemicals
Stress due to profit driven management practices
Loss of plant
diversity due to today's farming practices
The desire to eradicate 'weeds'
and native species from urban areas
Unrestricted development
The factory farm
Loss of sustainable farming methods...*Genetically modified crops
It is extremely challenging to
keep bees today. It is more challenging to work for change in a world that does not recognize the absolute need for
it.
Nature is balance. When man tinkers with that balance, with rare exception, the result
is imbalance.
The solution to us is simple. It is in the hands of consumers. Without it, change
will not occur. Buy local and buy organic. Understand that blemishes and imperfections in your organic produce
are natural and acceptable and represent nature's 'stamp' of pesticide free, nutritionally superior foods. Understand
that your perception of a beautiful lawn and garden is just that...your perception.
When I was a child, dandelions
in the lawn were a wonderful sign of summer. We ran barefoot through them, dodging the honeybees, picking their blossoms
and amusing ourselves with their puff balls. Where have they gone and why? Would you rather have your children
and pets play in a sea of perfect green? That perfect green is full of chemical residuals. An eco-lawn dotted
with wildflowers and native plants is nature's design. A garden which allows for wild species is too. Think
it can't be beautiful? Then you haven't spent a summer afternoon in a place like Meadowlake Farm.
| Our bees need a lot of wild flowers for forage |
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| A lazy day on Meadowlake Farm |
| Don't forget to thank our bees |
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| for keeping you healthy and beautiful |
| A lot of bees, plus Joel equals beautiful skin |
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| We owe it all to them! |
| Your skin in beautiful because of them | |||||||||
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| One of the girls of Meadowlake Farm | |||||||||
| Proud Member |
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| Cruelty Free Companies |
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Natural Resource Defense Council
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
Natural Ingredient Resource Center
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them."
-A.A. Milne, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh