Drought still hurting local honey and crop production

Drought still hurting local honey and crop production

By WHITNEY HOLMES
6 News Anchor/Reporter

BLOUNT COUNTY (WATE) -- Honey bees in Tennessee are having a hard time doing their job this year.

"We actually didn't make much honey here this year. The nectar flow is just now there like it has been in the past," said migratory beekeeper, Stephanie Tarwater.

According to Tarwater, her honey production is down about a third this year due to last year's drought.

Plants bees use for food don't have enough water to grow this year and that means less honey.

"We don't get nectar and that's what the bees actually get honey out. That's the food for the bees. The bees actually eat pollen and nectar," she explained.

Before the drought, bees would be able to get their nectar from Mother Nature but now because there is no water for the plants to grow Tarwater has to buy large quantities of corn syrup for the bees to feed.

"We are using a third more feed than when before we were in the drought. We are actually spending money on sugar water and corn syrup instead of having the income coming in," said Tarwater.

The extra costs add up driving up the price and honey isn't the only product affected. Crops like squash and cantaloupe are dependent on bees for pollination and without them they don't grow.

"Last year we had a watermelon contract in Dunlap and we had a problem getting bees in the blossoms because of the drought," remembered Tarwater.

Currently, the area has a four inch rain deficit and Tarwater's holding out hope rain will get her business buzzing again.

Beekeepers across North America are also dealing with the mysterious disappearance of bee colonies.

This week Congress held a hearing on how this could have a dramatic affect of crop yields and the nation's food supply.

Tennessee so far has not been affected, but Tarwater says she is careful not to send her bees to endangered areas.

Additionally, the Clinch Valley Beekeepers Association is holding an Africanized Honey Bee Training for first responders and outdoor workers June 28.

Call (423) 733-1932 for more information.