Managing Blue Orchard Bees for Pollinating Almonds in Fresno County, CA: A Photo Essay on Farming with an Osmia Bee

This book on blue orchard bees is designed to be read similarly as the National Geographic, where a significant amount of the meaning is embedded in pictures and picture labels. When the reader feels compelled, the book provides options for reading beyond the pictures. Six groups of readers are targeted: CALIFORNIA ALMOND GROWERS-Although the book specifically targets Fresno County almond ranches, growers though out the region will require minimal adaptation. The emphasis is on using honeybees, supplemented with BOBs. Topics include: *Knowing when to place BOBs in the orchard *Saving money and gaining control by keeping BOBs in a refrigerator *Determining where BOBs will give the greatest gain *Measuring the effect of BOBs in an orchard BACKYARD KEEPERS OF OSMIA BEES-Learn how to grow Osmia bees. BOBs in California almonds is the example used in this book, but if the reader lives in Canada, China, England, or Japan; the practices generally are adaptable for other Osmia bees in other ecosystems. Topics include: *Predicting if a pear, apple, or cherry tree responds well to Osmia pollination *Matching the blooming tree with the emerging bee 4H and FFA LEADERS-Learn how to guide a BOB pollination project. Topics include: *How to raise BOBs and make nests *How to evaluate the BOB and pollination outcome SOLITARY BEE RESEARCHERS-Learn of rich, new areas. Topics include: *Using endothermy to explore getting Osmia bees flying in colder air *Inducing and measuring Osmia bee associated yield gradients PROPONENTS OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY- Topics include: *The fragility of an agricultural system that depends on a single insect for survival *How a new pollinator can supplement the work of a traditional pollinator *Up close look at one of the larger agricultural moncultures in California BACKYARD SCIENTISTS- For a naturalist, the Osmia bee can become the focus of a fascinating study. Read more