What the world would be like without bees

What would Halloween be like with no pumpkins? Or Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes? Or Christmas at grandma’s with fruit cake, minus the fruit? How could the saying “It’s as American as apple pie” still be used if there were no apples for the pie? Would we all be at the doctor’s office more if we couldn’t abide by the old recommendation of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Our traditions aren’t the only thing that would drastically change if bees continue down their slippery slope to extinction. Human health as a whole is threatened by the disappearance of nature’s miracle workers. Our physical health and economic stability would be in big trouble without the help of bees. Pears, almonds, broccoli, carrots, onions, cherries, blueberries, oranges, avocados and cabbage are all commonly used in our diets—and are just a few examples of foods cross-pollinated by bees. Bees, most certainly, qualify as a social problem. Their dire situation fits the three criteria: they affect large numbers of people (like everybody), their population decline requires a collective solution, and they affect our group values—health and big business.

We can relate the issue of bee decline on a state, national, or global level. Oregon State Legislature House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources estimated in 2015 there were 70,000 commercial bee colonies bringing in an estimated $500 million in revenue to the state. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the nation has 26 million managed honey bee colonies that pollinate $15 billion in crops each year. And, the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), one of the nation’s leading groups working to protect the world’s resources, estimates a third of all crops worldwide are cross-pollinated by bees every year.

Let us consider for a moment the amount of money being generated in every country of the world with the help of bees. For example, Ethiopia. The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service estimates 15 million people in Ethiopia, approximately 15% of the population, make a living in the coffee industry. Coffee is also the country’s main source of revenue, bringing in an estimated $750 million annually, according to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. World Economic Forum ranks the 140 nations of the world against each other and assesses their ability to provide high levels of prosperity to their citizens. Ethiopia was ranked 109 out of 140 in the 2015/16 ranking. The U.S. ranked third. One need not be a sociologist to recognize how impactful the loss of the coffee industry, for example, would be to a country like Ethiopia that is already suppressed on the world’s economical list. And they are only one example.

In addition to economic value, bees contribute a priceless service in helping the ecosystem thrive. For example, almost 90% of all wildflowers rely on the help of pollinators, according to the NRDC. With the expansion of cities, and more and more landscapes claimed for mankind, bees are facing human induced obstacles on their quest for nectar and pollen. According to the USDA, for the last 30 years their disappearance nationwide has been notable among beekeepers and scientists. Since 2006, also according to the USDA, the decline has increased, with the population suffering a 33% loss each year nationwide. The USDA says that beehives in the U.S. are at their lowest count in the last 50 years, almost half what they used to be. It’s interesting to note that the U.S. population 50 years ago was about 194 million people, as compared to roughly 319 million today. In other words, we have more people requiring more food and less bees to help pollinate crops. A study by OSU researcher Ramesh Sagili found that Oregon beekeepers lost 21.1% of their hive populations in 2013. According to Sagili, beekeepers historically expect to lose 10-15% of their hives from natural causes. Therefore, at a 33% average decline, hive die-off is twice as high as it should be at the state level and three times higher on the national level. It’s no surprise beekeepers and government agencies alike are concerned about bee disappearance, which has been dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder.

In a brand new report released last week, the United Nations sponsored worldwide research on pollinators and their pending demise. In the report, titled Thematic Assessment of Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production, they specifically note that 40% of pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, are facing extinction, in part, because of human interference.  The report took two years, a team of 77 experts from across the world who studied more than 60 locations, and approximately 3,000 scientific papers to compile their findings. They confirmed that a third of the world’s crops rely on cross-pollination, and cited the 20,000 species of bees as major contributors. “The western honey bee is the most widespread managed pollinator in the world,” the report said. "The growing threat to pollinators, which play an important role in food security, provides another compelling example of how connected people are to our environment, and how deeply entwined our fate is with that of the natural world,” wrote Achim Steiner, executive director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The decline in bees affects the availability of human food supply. With continued loss of bees, pollination-dependant crop prices would be driven up. Fresh food prices are already higher than prepared, less nutritious foods. A spike in prices may push welfare recipients, for example, completely out of the market. On a societal level, that brings up concerns for malnutrition, specifically for those living in poverty. According to the Census Bureau, 14.8% of the nation lived in poverty in 2014, totaling 46.6 million people. An increase in produce prices because of Colony Collapse Disorder would most likely deprive the poor of the option to buy many of the foods that supply them with essential vitamins and minerals; the kind that boxed foods can’t replace. At worst, the loss of bees would cause the disappearance of items we are accustomed to finding at grocery stores. In 2013, a Whole Foods Market in Rhode Island decided to temporarily remove all produce from their shelves dependant on pollinators. They removed 237 of 453 products, a whopping 52% of their normal inventory. The huge impact of such small creatures is staggering.

Concerns about bees have arisen at the highest levels of the government. In June of 2014, President Obama directed the EPA and Department of Agriculture to lead a government-wide task force to develop a strategy to combat honey bee decline. The Office of the Press Secretary released this statement after Obama’s proclamation: “Pollinators contribute substantially to the economy of the United States and are vital to keeping fruits, nuts, and vegetables in our diets. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant loss of pollinators—including honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies—from the environment. The problem is serious and poses a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure the sustainability of our food production systems, avoid additional economic impacts on the agricultural sector, and protect the health of the environment.” The same press release also included the fact that almonds rely on bees for 90% of their pollination. It said that California’s almond industry alone requires 1.4 million beehives, 60% of all U.S. hives, to pollinate trees. California also provides 80% of the world’s almond production, the press release said, which brings in $4.8 billion a year. Without the help of bees, California will not be able to fill the world’s demand.

I had a chance to interview a few local bee experts for articles I’ve written over the last two years. Last summer I spoke with Steve Oda, president of the Linn County Beekeepers Association. I thought his story would be relevant to the local area. Oda lives in Albany, and has been hosting honey bees for seven years. He currently manages eight beehives. He set up his hives when he noticed his neighborhood’s fruit trees were not producing very well. He decided to introduce bees to stimulate productivity. When setting up his hives, he visited his neighbors and educated them on how the bees would help the neighborhood. He was concerned because, “People don’t distinguish between honey bees and yellow jackets,” he said. Yellow jackets, for clarification, are not in danger and don’t contribute to pollination as carnivores. Since Oda’s honey bees have been around, he says the lackluster fruit trees he once observed are now more fruitful than ever. Some of his neighbors have joined in support of the bees and have started mowing their lawns less, giving chance for wildflower growth, he told me. Others have started to leave sections of their property untouched, letting native plants bloom for the bees. “Someone who wants a weed-free lawn will not be helpful to bees,” he cautioned. Healthy bees need a variety of flowers and plants to consume, just as humans need different food groups. So in essence, if we can continue to provide a buffet of blooms for our buzzing friends, they will continue to help support the varied diet we also require to be a healthy species.

Another conversation I had in the summer of 2014 was with Dirk Olsen, owner of Olsen Honey Farms in Albany. He manages 8,000 hives for his operation, and each hive can include up to 60,000 bees. He told me of the damage being caused in the Willamette Valley because of relandscaping for human needs. Just as Oda had cautioned his neighbors about wildflower growth, Olsen noted that local officials are also taking action to leave wild spaces for the bees. "Municipalities are getting involved now that they see the bees declining," he said. "Like letting the plants grow wild along highways for the bees to have." Olsen told me that he spends $250,000 a year on corn syrup to feed his colonies in order to combat their nectar deficiency. Just as Steiner from UNEP wrote in this month’s pollinator health report, Olsen also reminded of the delicate relationship humans have with bees. "We have a history of taking care of bees for 7,000 years," he said. "There is a direct relationship between us and the bees."

The way I see it, especially after my research, we simply cannot continue to destroy all natural areas in our cities for our selfish gain. Bees require those resources to stay healthy, and we require their services to stay healthy. We have a collective responsibility to ensure wild spaces are available, and in return, our focus on the welfare of bees ensures the welfare of us.

What we can learn from the world's most successful people

Many people grew up hearing their parents' solutions to eventual success: make good choices; hang with the right crowd; work hard; follow your dreams; be yourself. Sound familiar?

Dan Schawbel, a New York Times best-selling author and contributing writer at Forbes, sheds light onto the driving force behind society’s most successful people. During his time at Forbes, Schawbel has interviewed over 1,200 super-successful people ranging from CEOs to celebrities to politicians. His conversations with them boil down to 14 common denominators, he says. In his article, “14 Things Every Successful Person Has In Common,” Schawbel shares what he has discovered.

As it turns out, mom and dad weren’t all that wrong.

#1 They know when to stay and when to leave.

Intuition is key to their decision-making. Even if not the most popular or the most liked decision, successful people know when to step on the gas or when to step on the brakes. Knowing when they have failed and need to start over is a decision they grow accustomed to. Hear it from the guy that patented 2,332 inventions in his lifetime:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison

#2 They do more than what’s asked of them.

It’s the difference between saying “that’s not part of my job” or saying “I’ll do it because it needs to be done.” Successful people do their mandatory tasks, pick up the tasks no one else wants, and make tasks to challenge themselves. Hear it from the guy that won 22 Academy Awards, holding the record for most wins in competitive categories:

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney

#3 They are willing to fail in order to eventually succeed.

Successful people view mistakes as part of the process. Rather than deeming mistakes as failures, they see them as obstacles. They learn from them and use them as motivation to get better. Hear it from the guy who was knighted at Buckingham Palace for “services to entrepreneurship,” and who founded the Virgin empire:

“You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.” – Richard Branson

#4 They know that they make their own luck.

They believe luck has little to do with success. For the most part, success is about repetition, dedication and perseverance. Each day successful people put themselves in a better position than they were the day before. Hear it from the lady that was raised by a maid in rural Mississippi, who is now worth over $3 billion:

“I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity.” – Oprah Winfrey

#5 They set real goals that they can accomplish.

The difference lies in waking up with a plan and waking up scrambling to figure out your plan. Successful people have a plan, and know how to use their strengths. They set goals each day and they stick to them. Hear it from the guy who writes 2,000 words a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year—and has 49 best-selling books:

“Either get busy living or get busy dying.” – Stephen King

#6 They take accountability for themselves and their actions.

Instead of leaning on others to figure out a solution, successful people look inside themselves for answers. They don’t wait for someone to pave a path; they blaze the trail that becomes the path. They are humble in taking credit and quick to take the blame. Hear it from the guy that started a little retail store back in the day that now employs 2.2 million people worldwide—Walmart:

“If everybody is doing it one way, there’s a good chance you can find your niche by going exactly in the opposite direction.” – Sam Walton

#7 They make change instead of being affected by it.

Those with the most success are trendsetters. They don’t open a magazine to look at the newest things, they create the things in the magazines. They think for the future, and they act now. Hear it from the guy who co-founded a computer company in his garage when he was 13 years old:

“You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.” – Steve Jobs

#8 They are able to adjust to changes in the marketplace.

Successful people are willing to reinvent themselves. They understand that what people want today may not be what they want tomorrow. In order to be continuously successful, they constantly drum up new ideas in search for the next best thing. Hear it from the guy that invented the first bagless vacuum cleaner, and now has a company worth about $5 billion:

“As an engineer I’m constantly spotting problems and plotting how to solve them.” – James Dyson

#9 They can communicate their story effectively.

If you ask a successful person who they are, they will have a precise answer. They know what they are doing today and tomorrow, and all the little details in between. They know what they stand for. They believe in themselves and inspire others to believe in them. Hear it from America’s first self-made female billionaire:

“All the things I love is what my business is all about.” – Martha Stewart

#10 They ask the right questions to the people who can deliver the right answers.

Knowing they don’t have all the answers, successful people understand how to use their network. They aren’t afraid to reach out to people they deem best qualified to help. Successful people know to surround themselves with people of the same caliber. Hear it from the guy that started picking out stocks at age 11 and is now worth $70 billion:

“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.” – Warren Buffett

#11 They are lifelong learners who push themselves out of their comfort zones.

Education never stops for the world’s most successful people. They push themselves to try something new, see something new, or experience something new on a regular basis. They know growth happens when they explore. Hear it from the guy that started his first business at the age of 12 selling trash bags, and is now worth over $3 billion:

“It’s not about money or connections—it’s the willingness to outwork and outlearn everyone.” – Mark Cuban

#12 They know who they are and their place in the world.

Successful people don’t waste time on things that don’t interest them. They don’t work for someone else’s vision; they work towards their own vision. They know their mission, and they don’t change course. Hear it from the guy who created his first movie at the age of 16, which grossed $1, who is now a director worth $3.6 billion:

“You have many years ahead of you to create the dreams that we can’t even imagine dreaming.” – Steven Spielberg

#13 They are more excited about the journey than the payout.

Successful people seek meaning in their lives. They take time and care in building their future. They view life as an adventure and use each day to reach a new destination in their journey. Hear it from the richest man on the planet:

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Bill Gates

#14 They create instead of just consume.

Instead of searching Amazon for the perfect solution to their consumer needs, successful people think about what consumers are going to need. They stay busy creating and innovating. Hear it from the guy considered one of the world’s brightest minds, so much so that the pathologist who did his autopsy stole his brain:

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein

So, what will you do today to change your world?

Kate Miles: Fundraising for Fashion Week

A couture gown from Kate's Couture 2016 line to be shown at LA Fashion Week.

At their home in rural Scio, 16-year-old Katherine Miles and her mom Rebecca Miles scrambled to make sure all the details were taken care of. They made sure each seat adorned a handwritten sign with the guest's name, that each table was decorated with fresh flowers, and that all place settings were complete. Then, the rains stopped and the skies cleared just in time for the tea party to begin.

Held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, the event was the second of two sold out sessions this past weekend fundraising for Miles' debut at Los Angeles Fashion Week. Designing since she was 12 years old, this will be her fourth Fashion Week appearance, but her first to the star-studded Los Angeles runway.

As their front yard turned into a parking lot, about 60 ladies arrived in style, many wearing dresses and heels. A volunteer pianist played as guests took their seats. The soft green floral walls of their home and an entire wall of windows, lit the venue like spring had come early.

With a $30 donation per person, the tea party included a five course meal of tea, sorbet, mini sandwiches, scones, and dessert. All food was donated by La Tea Da Tea shop in Tillamook. All flowers were donated by Morning Glories Floral in Albany. A half dozen of Miles' friends volunteered as dishwashers and servers.

As attendees dined and sipped in the hour leading up to the main event, Miles hustled in her basement studio preparing 10 models for the show. She had the help of many, including a professional makeup artist that volunteered her services.

Melinda Sorte of Albany brought her 11-year-old grandniece, Addy, to see the show. Not knowing Miles beforehand, Sorte wanted to attend after reading about her in the newspaper.

"We just think it's fascinating that she's a young person doing so well," said Sorte. "I called her up and I told her I needed two tickets."

Sabine Clevenger has known Miles, her son's classmate, about four years.

"She made some sleazies for my horses when I first met her, and I have a skirt from her," said Clevenger.

Jyssica Yelas graduated from Oregon State University last year with a degree in merchandising management, and now styles women at a boutique in Portland. She drove down for the event and was impressed with the elegance of the meal, the venue, and of Miles' designs.

"I feel like I'm in some sort of a storybook," Yelas said.

As the diverse crowed ages eight to 80 watched, models graced the red carpet runway and pseudo stage set up in their living room.

The sneak-peak of outfits and gowns Miles will take to Los Angeles revealed a young, fresh, whimsical collection. Since December, she has been busy sewing 12 of her newest looks.

Miles prides her creations as one of a kind. All are handmade and sourced from thrifted garments blended with found fabrics. One of the gowns was even decorated with pieces of broken mirror.

"My brother Daniel was down on the ground hammering mirrors for me," Miles said.

Miles, who still wears braces, worked the crowd like a seasoned hostess and designer. She was humble and grateful as she thanked her mentors, volunteers, and donators. After the show, attendees lined up to shake her hand, asked for her autograph, and took photos with the budding designer.

With the help of the community, the success of the weekend's fundraiser has solidified Miles' attendance to LA Fashion Week March 13-17. Both Miles and her mom were overwhelmed with the generosity that made it possible.

"We got checks in the mail from people that didn't know me," Miles said. "I feel blessed we've had so much support."

"We aren't contacting anyone, they've all been contacting us. It just amazing," her mom added.

The gift of wisdom from surprising places

Photo courtesy Carol Raymundo

This year the support staff in LBCC's Center for Accessibility Resources (CFAR) decided to try something new. In an effort to help students using the support lab remain calm, comfortable and confident, they decided to let them help themselves. 

The support staff offered a blank whiteboard and encouraged them to fill it up. Students could write anything they wanted to purge their feelings, their thoughts, or simply to vent. 

Then, the most amazing thing happened. Students began to use the board to support each other, writing motivational messages reminding their peers of their potential. Now, students stop at the board before taking a test, soaking up some inspiration before they begin.

Carol Raymundo, CFAR and Student Assessment coordinator, and Jennifer Walker, support lab instructional assistant, have been overwhelmed with the success of the board. The students have surprised them with their willingness to help each other, and have transformed the CFAR study space into a collective support system. 

"I started writing 'good luck on your test' or something simple," said Walker. "Then someone started doodling, then someone started commenting." 

"It kind of organically involved into a doodle board," added Raymundo.

Raymundo suggested that Walker start documenting what people were writing, and a pattern emerged. By the date things were written they could identify what time of the year or term it was. The board became a de-stressor of sorts, reminding the staff that students have many influences outside of school that they carry on their shoulders. 

Student McKenzie Hershfelt likes to draw on the board.

"Depending on how stressed I am is how much I draw. During finals week I take up the whole board," she said.

Another student, Sierra Weis, likes to write quotes on the board.

"Sometimes I find a really good quote I think people can relate to and I put it on the board. Or just something funny," she said.

Student Felicia Christensen uses the board to refocus herself.

"When I write I feel better about myself. It's an inspirational thing," she said.

With the success of the first board, Raymundo and Walker began a second board in which they ask a question and let students leave their answers. The idea was to get real feedback they could use on different curricular projects they were working on. 

The board again was a success, and students began to leave their opinions on weekly topics. One recent topic was, "What is a good syllabus?" This week, personnel from a community college in Washington will be on campus to take part in the same discussion and some of the content left by students will be used in the workshop. 

Staff across LBCC's campus have also used content left on the board in their meetings. Others have wandered into the CFAR support lab just to see what students are saying for the day. Their voices are being heard. 

Every Monday the board is wiped clean, and every Friday it's full again. It's a perpetual motion of emotion, a constant reminder many students share the same goal; to live, be loved, and improve themselves. 

In the spirit of pending finals, enjoy some of the wisdom that's been shared.

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"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

"When it comes to making a big change in your life, you have to want it more than you fear it."

"Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

"Don't just be thankful for the good, but also the bad, because that is what make you who you are today."

"Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get back up."

"Don't worry, be happy!"

"Just be yourself, because who else is better qualified."

"Love yourself."

"Dreams don't work unless you do!"

"Just breathe. You'll get through it in the end."

"Wake up with determination, go to bed with satisfaction."

"You matter."

"Mistakes are proof that you are trying."

"When nothing goes right, go left."

"Smile at someone. You never know who's going to need it."

"To be an expert you must first be a beginner."

"If 'plan A' doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters!"

"Your value does not decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth!"

"Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you!"

The social media revolution

A decade ago it may have been hard for someone to believe they could build a career behind a computer communicating with people they didn’t know while getting paid to do it. Fast forward to today and an estimated 90 percent of businesses use social media for marketing. What this means is that jobs in social media are prevalent, and Millennials, those born 1981 to 2000ish, have a whole new job market opening up for them.

The scope of the industry is still shaping itself, but opportunities vary in nearly every business. Each business has its own niche, and although job titles may vary, the duties are similar. Companies are hiring social media managers, online community managers, online marketers, SEO specialists, content specialists, social media strategists, and digital communication managers—all of which are filling their specific social media needs.

In 2015, according to Pew Research Center, 90 percent of people aged 18 to 29 are active on social media and 77 percent of those aged 30 to 49 are also active on social media. That’s a lot of people watching their newsfeeds and paying attention to what companies are saying. The potential to connect with clients is at an all-time high.

Currently, the top three sites used by online marketers are Facebook, Twitter and Google+, according to Search Engine Journal. Facebook and Google+ tie with 70 percent of marketers using them, and Twitter rounds up the top three with 34 percent of marketers using it. Many marketers are also realizing the untapped potential of other trending sites such as Instagram, Pinterest and Vine. In the upcoming years it’s projected that more online marketing will be focused on these budding avenues.

As social media managers become more in demand, their job skills are becoming more defined. Many companies are looking for a person with good writing skills, so a journalism background, for example, can be helpful. As well, with the visual aspect of marketing becoming so important, professional photographers and videographers are in rising demand. Those with training in basic digital design making infographics, for example, is also a plus, as many employers expect original marketing content from their social media managers.

The workforce is in a transition period as Baby Boomers are retiring, and projections by Forbes expect that by 2020 about 50 percent of the workforce will be Millennials. With this in mind, it’s important for businesses to continue adapting to the Millennial mindset because they are the future, and their past has shaped social media.

The social media revolution is underway, and the digital movement is expected to go the distance. Do you want to be a part of it?

Linn-Benton Community College’s LB iLearn Online offers an online certificate for social media marketing. The program is self-paced and “pay as you go” per course. It’s designed as an add-on certificate that can be applied to a public relations, communications, marketing, administrative, or journalism degree.

Enrollment into the program opens every Wednesday, year-round. For inquiries, contact admission specialist Amber Vore at vorea@linnbenton.edu.