‘BEE’ careful in being BEE friendly

Recently, on a car trip from Calgary to visit friends in Hay River and Yellowknife my travelling companion and I made a lunch stop in High Level, Alberta. While waiting for my soup and sandwich I picked up the local coffee news, the Muskeg Buzz. I came across an article in its Heard Around the World section titled, “Cheerios Will Send 500 Wildflower Seeds for Free to Save Bees." This piece encouraged readers to sign up for free wildflower seeds to plant to help save the honey bee. Maybe you have seen the TV commercial on the same topic. Currently, General Mills, maker of Honey Nut Cheerios, is focussing audience attention on the plight of honeybees through their corporate initiative, ‘Bring back the bees’. Their campaign, ‘Bring back the bees’ highlights the vital role bees and other pollinators play in food security, the economy and how bees and other pollinators face decline.

“Pollinators are critical to our ecosystems. Insect pollinators, both wild (e.g., many species of bees and moths) and domestic (honeybees), are in serious decline due to the combination of habitat loss, disease, pesticide exposure and climate change. These pollinators are responsible for an estimated one out of three bites of food that people eat, which is worth billions of dollars to the North American economy. Pollinators ensure the reproductive success of plants and the survival of the wildlife that depend on those plants for food and shelter.”*

A significant part of General Mills’ campaign is partnering with the Canadian, P.E.I. seed company, Veseys to offer free packages of wildflower seeds for planting. Last year, the 100,000 seed packages Veseys expected to give away went in a matter of days. The seed company scrambled to get another 100,000 packages to General Mills. This year’s projection is that General Mills is going to be giving away over 100 million seeds to Canadians.**

At first glance, this initiative seemed like a super-duper, winning idea to me. The intent to highlight the plight of the honeybee is wonderful and taking steps to address its dwindling habitat is to be applauded. With a little research I discovered, however, the method chosen to accomplish their goals has been called into question by Paul Zammit of the Toronto Botanical Gardens.***

Zammit bases his concern on the fact that all plants should not be planted in all locations. The free package contains a mixture of seeds some of which are non-native and perhaps even considered invasive in the location where they are being sent. The horticulturalist is quick to add that he likes that the campaign is getting folks like us talking about pollinators such as bees and supports the campaign efforts to urge us to take the opportunity to facilitate pollinators in our own backyards, balconies and outdoor spaces. However, his over-riding message is to take the ‘bee careful’ route to wildflower planting. Paul Zammit recommends first checking with our local flower societies or flower supply stores to select native flowers best suited to our locale in creating wildflower habitats for the bees in our neighbourhoods.

View https://youtu.be/JgZ-DLesdAU for other ways to help pollinators in your community.

Adding to your bee trivia ... did you know?

• Bees have terrific colour vision, that’s why they love showy flowers. They especially like blue, purple, violet, white & yellow.

• There are over 20,000 species of bees around the world!

• Bee species all have different tongue lengths that adapt to different flowers.

• The honeybee’s wings stroke incredibly fast, about 200 beats per second thus making their distinctive buzzing sound.

• A honeybee can fly for up to 9 kilometers and as fast as 25 kilometers an hour.

• 1 in 3 bites of food we eat is made possible by bees and other pollinators who spread the pollen that crops need to grow. That includes many of our favourite foods like apples, almonds, coffee and of course, honey.

Nancy Wales, CSJ

*Ontario Nature
**Seeds Given away in Cheerios promotion may be problematic, horticulturalist says – CBC NEWS posted March 26, 2017
***Seeds Given away in Cheerios promotion may be problematic, horticulturalist says – CBC NEWS posted March 26, 2017

A Failed Promise and God’s Promise

In the world of vegetable production, purveyors of GM seeds promised great things for the global community, trumpeting there would be greater food production and reduced pesticide use in a relatively short time. GM seeds were the answer for a starving world. This was in the late 80’s -90’s. Canada and United States bought into that message. Western Europe did not.

The twofold promise of genetically modified seeds was first, to make crops immune to the effects of weed killers and inherently resistant to many pests, and  second, because the plants form these seeds would grow so robustly that GMO seeds would be heralded as indispensable in feeding the population of a growing world. This would also require less spraying of crops with pesticides.

It is a failed promise.

In the past twenty years the analysis of yields from both the U.S. and Western Europe reveals little difference between crops of non-GMO seeds in Western Europe and crops using GMO seeds in the U.S. and Canada. Overall pesticide use has increased in the U.S. while in France there have been major reductions in overall pesticide use. The vaunted abundance of crop yields has failed to materialize. One would assume similar statistics in Canada. This increase occurs despite GMO being the seed of choice planted for the major crops of corn and soybeans in North America. The reality is that herbicide use on corn & soybeans has soared. Making more profits for Monsanto. Farmers cannot save their own seed and are tied contractually to purchase GMO seeds. Although Western Europe is closed to GMO, Monsanto boasts of surging markets in other places of the globe.

One is reminded of the story of David & Goliath. Yet, resistance to corporate greed is not without effect. Although some markets are certainly soaring for Monsanto, there is resistance, notably in Africa, India and South America. And they are statistically significant. Just not reported as such. There are pieces of light in the darkness of corporate deceit.

One is also reminded of a vulnerable child born in a stable, in a time of deep darkness. A light that could not be quenched. A promise that was and is fulfilled. It is to believe in the light that is stronger than any darkness of heart. We are part of those pieces of light that pierce the darkness of corporate greed every time we pray for organic farmers, buy organic food and wherever we can plant heritage seeds, whether it be on a balcony or in a field. Sometimes these seeds will be planted in our home gardens, sometime they will be the seeds of hope planted in our prayers. We all are part of bringing to birth the promise of God’s kin-dom. All are needed to quench the darkness and bring the light of God’s love to birth in our world and in our time. One seed at a time.

Linda Gregg CSJ

Rooted in the Land: Ontario’s Disappearing Farmland

As one born and raised in rural Southwestern Ontario, a love of the land was imprinted on my soul. From childhood, I learned the specifics of crops and their growth from seed to maturity. I worked on the land assisting in preparing fields for planting and then cultivating and harvesting a variety of crops.

Alas, I have lived most of my adult life in urban centers. With increasing worry and dismay, I watch as municipal councils expropriate land outside their cities and developers press forward with hungry eyes and voracious appetites to make big money building sprawling housing projects deeper and deeper into the countryside.

It is no secret that Southwestern Ontario boasts some of the best agricultural land in Canada and I dare add, even in the world. How can we stand by and watch helplessly as farm after farm is bought for urban development? In fact, much of the rural land is purchased by developers ten to twenty years before the land is razed.

Occasionally, I hear on the media a comment that we should think seriously about preserving farmland for food and agricultural purposes but no one seems to take the cause seriously. Even protected land gets decommissioned for big business interests. Perhaps we’ll realize our errant ways when it’s too late.

In her article, “Canada’s Disappearing Farmland”, Tanya Browers, a consultant for the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada outlined the dire situation with regard to Ontario’s rampant loss of agricultural land. She states: “Ontario, for instance, with over 56% of the nation’s Class 1 land has lost, in the two decades between 1976 and 1996, over 150,000 acres or 18% of the province’s Class 1 land to urban encroachment and non-agricultural interests”. Can you imagine how much more arable land has suffered the same fate in the last twenty years?

Not long ago, my ears perked up when I heard a rare truth via a TV ad, “They’re not making any more land.” I heard this fact stated only once previously.  The throw away line gave me hope. Maybe a few people are beginning to realize that land really is a finite resource that is being squandered for all sorts of endeavours.  Will we protect our remaining agricultural land or let it quietly disappear?

Jean Moylan, CSJ

“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!”

For two years, I was blessed to live at Villa St. Joseph Retreat and Ecology Centre in Cobourg, ON and to spend the summer at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, ON. Nettie and Susan, two gifted cooks, skillfully prepared delicious meals that were nourishing for both body and soul! Experiencing earth to table eating allowed me to enjoy the wonderful sensory delight of organic food. If persons in Cobourg and Guelph wish to grow their own food organically, they are able to rent community garden plots. Community Shared Agriculture in Guelph provides freshly harvested organic products for persons to take home for family meals.  What joy I experienced as I visited farmers’ markets, connecting with the people who grow our food! Local food is not necessarily organic; and, organic food is not always local. Look in your own community for the perfect combination of local food grown using organic or ecological practices. 

Organic farmers follow the specific ecological practices stipulated in Canada’s National Organic Standard. They work with the diversity that nature already offers: They save and exchange seeds and knowledge. Healthy soil, rich in minerals and nutrients, produces appealing and flavourful food. As the saying goes, “we are what we eat.” It is important to know exactly what our bodies are digesting and how it came to be on our plate in the first place. The wisdom of organic farming speaks for itself. To sample some tried and true recipes, you can visit Susan Sprague’s blog at:  www.loyolahousekitchen.wordpress.com where you can get recipe the recipe for her Vegan Carrot Cake pictured above.

Bon Appetite!

https://loyolahousekitchen.wordpress.com/2015/10/02/septembers-taste-of-italy-celebration-3/

Kathleen O’Keefe, CSJ

Food for Thought: Our Endangered Neighbour

My fascination with bees began at the early age of five when I started school. In our small unfamiliar library, perched on a top shelf, was a grey massive empty hive. I had to face the reality of this strange form whenever I reached up for a book. I was reminded over and over again that the hive was indeed empty. Over time I learned to respect bees. I got to love them. I was assured that they wouldn’t bite me unless I disturbed them. I discovered bees were amazingly hard workers and creators of beauty. En masse, they cooperate so well with each other in achieving their goal of making honey to my amazement. In my later years I became aware that honey bees account for 80% of all insect pollinators. They play a vital role in our food chain.

Bees have been very much in people’s minds, hearts and prayers these days because of their high rate of death over this past winter. I cannot imagine life without bees for they have been with us for 10 million years. The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists identified three causes: starvation from lack of food caused by our past cold winter, parasites (mites), and primarily exposure to pesticides (neonicotinoids).

Neonicotinoids, a family of pesticides typically applied as a seed coating, help to protect plants from insects and in Ontario are used primarily in corn and soybean crops. Believe it or not, they are used in greenhouses! Neonicotinoids are banned by the European Union, but Canada is awaiting an interim report to come out next spring before considering a ban. Meanwhile, extra precaution will be taken to prevent neonicotinoid dust getting into the soil or air during planting season by the introduction of a new seed lubricant. As well, farmers and beekeepers will have access to an app that will notify each other when fields close to bee hives are about to be planted.

Sadly, beekeepers, farmers and seed-sellers are all impacted by the increasing annihilation of bees. These three entities need to work with each other to achieve a fair but successful outcomes - one that would have bees as the first priority, not putting self- interest or the economy first.

To learn more about the challenges facing honey bees and what you can do to protect them, please visit www.panna.org under Issues, - Pesticides 101 A Prime – Food & Agriculture – and scroll down to find the booklet Bee the Change.

Rita Godon, CSJ
On behalf of the Ecology Committee

In the CSJ spirit to live one with our neighbour, let us ‘bee friendly”.