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I am a plant scientist based in Oregon.  I work for a global vegetable genetics and seed production company.  My job is to conduct research leading to more reliable vegetable seed harvests.  We depend on honeybees and other insects to pollinate our crops. 

This year, I've had the opportunity to witness pollination of onion and carrot seed crops throughout the west.  Pollinator activity has been excellent in all areas.  Numerous native and endemic pollinators are active in Oregon.  Farmers are aware of the fragile bee situation and are implementing measures to conserve and protect bees.  I also visited a very active bed of alkali bees on a farm.  The three generations of farmers proudly described their conservation measures to me.

There's hope for bees and other native pollinators!

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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