SAINT PAUL, MN — This Saturday, citizens from across Minnesota and the nation mark National Honey Bee Day. National Honey Bee Day was created to honor the insect responsible for the pollination of more than 1/3 of the food we eat. The day is celebrated by beekeepers, beekeeping clubs and associations, and honey bee enthusiasts from all across the country.
Recognizing that Minnesota has led the nation in laws protecting pollinators, pollinator research, and is near the top in honey production, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) is proposing the “Lawns to Legumes” cost share program.
“Minnesotans know we live in a special place,” remarked Rep. Hansen. “We cherish our environment and everything that inhabits it. Today I’m proposing a cost share program for homeowners called ‘Lawns to Legumes.’ We have helped farmers and solar energy sites create pollinator habitat, now this would be the first program specifically targeting assistance to homeowners who want to convert lawns to pollinator friendly habitat. Minnesotans expect us to protect our pollinators and this is exactly the type of program that will help bees, monarchs, and our native pollinators.”
Rep. Hansen is expected to introduce the legislation in January 2019 when the next legislative session convenes.
Events and further info on National Honey Bee Day can be found at https://honeylove.org/national-honey-bee-day/
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