Thanksgiving is a special celebration in America in which family and friends gather to enjoy a cornucopia of scrumptious foods. While most people typically give thanks for their friends, family, health and good fortune, not many really think about the importance of the honeybee in this celebration. Just like the Pilgrims, the honeybees were also natives of Europe. Did you know that honeybees are also responsible for pollinating ¾ of all of our agricultural crops? When you look around the table this Thanksgiving, think about how many foods such as plums, raspberries, almonds, cherries, apples and pumpkins (favorites, especially for traditional pies). Then think about how some of the foods which are consumed by turkeys have been pollinated by bees. Without the honeybee, Thanksgiving would not be the feast that it is. Unfortunately, the  honeybee population continues to rapidly decline with the increased number of genetically modified crops combined with systemic pesticides. Thankfully, there are many leaders, educators and activists who are working together to raise awareness and help educate the public about the importance of honeybees in our lives.

In this special holiday segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will be joined by special guest host, Marina Marchese and Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture Magazine. Stay tuned!

Bios: Marina Marchese, who wrote the book Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper is a true renaissance woman and is also the President of Red Bee ® Artisanal Honey. As a true lover and defender of honeybees, she also educates people about the many misconceptions about bees and why people need to embrace the power that these special beings offer.

Kim Flottum is the editor of Bee Culture magazine, author of The Backyard Beekeeper and an editor of the ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture, 41st Edition.