Cheerios sets internet a-buzz with project
Plan to boost bee populations is one worth supporting
Cheerios is setting the internet a-buzz with their latest project, an effort to boost the bee population across America.
According to their website, one in three bites of food eaten by humans is made possible by critters that pollinate — which includes bees.
Unfortunately, bees are in danger. In 2015, Cheerios reports, 42 percent of bee colonies in the United States collapsed.
In fact, according to a January report by Reuters, the bee population of one species has plunged by almost 90 percent since the 1990s.
The rusty patched bumble bee was listed in January as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Game Wildlife Service due to the decline, Reuters notes.
In agriculture, bees play a critical role. Reuters notes that “pollination services furnished by various insects in the United States, mostly by bees, have been valued at an estimated $3 billion each year.” Other figures put the number more toward a $14 billion contribution to agriculture each year.
Either way, we need bees across America to help in that pollination process, especially here in Yuma County.
Cheerios’ campaign notes that 70 of the top 100 human food crops are pollinated by bees.
In Yuma County, where agriculture is a multibillion dollar industry and a cornerstone of our economy, bees matter.
Bees play another critical role in the world — they make honey. Imagine a world without honey … it would be a sad place indeed.
Cheerios has found an interesting way to connect with people. The company pledged to give away 100 million wildflower seeds, in partnership with Veseys Seeds, to help encourage bee population growth. People might hesitate for a moment at the word “bee,” but who doesn’t love wildflowers? Giving away the seeds for free will encourage people to participate, and in turn, will grow bee populations. And that’s something we can all get “bee-hind.” To learn more, visit www.Cherrios.com/bringbackthebees.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?
I want to say thank you to the City of Yuma public works department, mainly to the ones who answer the phones. One is Kim in the office who is one who answers the phone, and to the other two who also answer it, too. And I want to say thanks to the other people who work in the other departments, every time I have called for a sidewalk needing to be fixed or a curb it doesn’t take them long to get the problem taken care of. And when my trash container needs to be replaced it gets done very soon after I call. I again want to THANK YOU CITY DEPARTMENT and the other two who work in the office.
I have two thank yous for our readers.
No. 1 — I left my purse in a shopping cart at the Foothills Fry’s store recently. Some very honest person turned it in. Thank you so much!
No. 2 — Thank you to the many folks who purchased books at our recent Friends of the Foothills Library sale. Almost $1,000 was raised, which will help pay for many of the events held at our wonderful library. Also, of course, we thank the many businesses and RV parks who displayed our flyers. Thanks also to our dedicated volunteers and library staff.
Well done, all!
As part of the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo committee, past rodeo chairman and advisor, I want to extend a great big “thank you” to the many, many rodeo fans who came out for the 72nd edition of the rodeo. Thanks also go to the Yuma Sun for their help in getting the information out.
This year’s rodeo, I believe, may have set an attendance record for Saturday. Once again we had beautiful weather, great rodeo stock, great cowboys and cowgirls and you mix that with an all-volunteer rodeo committee and you have a formula for success.
It’s not easy producing an event as large as the Silver Spur and it takes months and months of planning. Part of the success goes to the many volunteers from the Marine Corps Air Station. These young men and women of the Corps stepped up and filled a few vacancies here and there. To them I say “Semper Fi.”
To the lady who headed it all up, Peggy Collins, I say nice job and thanks for taking on the position as rodeo chairman. Peggy’s been there not once, not twice but three times and each rodeo gets better. As a past rodeo chairman (1992) I know what it takes to do this and it’s not an easy task. Peggy, along with your entire committee, I say job well done and thanks again.