Why Do We Need Bees? Find Out at Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market World Bee Day

Why do we need bees? Combine a visit to Mt Pleasant Farmers Market with World Bee Day and get all the answers.

Bees might be one of the smaller contributors to our environment and the health of our planet, but their contribution is massive. So just why do we need bees?

Bees are essential for farming – they pollinate most of the plants that humans eat, and many crops that are grown to feed the animals we eat.
They contribute hugely to our biodiversity. Some plants can only be pollinated by specific bees so we need ALL varieties, including our vital native bees, to be thriving.
Maintaining plant biodiversity is a crucial contributor to the general health of our entire ecosystem – and that’s the system which sustains human life. (Er, that would be us!)

Here in Australia, bees are responsible for the pollination of 2/3 of all agricultural and horticultural crops. Without them, our world would be significantly depleted. Internationally, these pollinators are threatened by disease, but Australian bees are some of the most disease-free in the world. For those still wondering why do we need bees, World Bee Day is designed to celebrate these teensy toilers and raise awareness of their crucial role in our survival.

Some of you may be aware that I am on the board of the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market. The Australian Farmers Market Association is partnering with the Wheen Bee Foundation to support World Bee Day 2021. On Saturday May 22, 2021, our market will be quite literally a hive of activity – we’re celebrating World Bee Day in a big way. We’d love you to visit and discover one of the best regional farmers markets around, and learn more about these fascinating and vital little critters.

Aside from our exceptional regular weekly selection of fresh staples, artisan breads, local smallgoods, wines and cheeses, on World Bee Day we will have a range of opportunities for visitors to discover the captivating world of these vital creatures. From 8am until 12 noon we will have a range of activities and events, including bee workshops, a real, working bee hive, kids activities and honey producers.

So mark Saturday 22 May down in your diary to pay a visit to Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market. Get involved and discover the answers to the big question – why do we need bees. We’d bee thrilled to see you! (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. ?)