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Of the many concerning developments in food and agriculture over recent years, one stands out as being particularly perplexing and disturbing. It is the widespread disappearance of honey bee colonies throughout the United States that has come to be known as Colony Collapse Disorder. The phenomenon began to make headlines about 5 years ago. Bee keepers reported healthy colonies vanishing seemingly overnight, with no clues left behind as to what drove the bees away. According to the USDA an average of 30% of managed honey bee colonies failed in the years 2006 through 2011. Some individual bee keepers have lost close to 50% of their colonies. The causes of, and remedies for, Colony Collapse Disorder are explored in the new film, Vanishing of the Bees. The filmmakers travel around the United States in search of answers, talking to bee keepers, scientists, and food and agricultural experts. They follow American bee keepers to France, where Colony Collapse Disorder was found to be linked to pesticides. The bee’s status as a revered tool of mother nature and a barometer of environmental health is also discussed in this engaging and highly informative documentary, narrated by Oscar nominated actress, Ellen Page. Vanishing of the Bees, was named an official Selection at the International Wildlife Film Festival, the Environmental Film Festival, and the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival.

Thank you gift:

Vanishing of the Bees – DVD – $100

Uprising USB Memory Stick – $120

2 Add-ons to any pledge of $100 +

A jar of Honey Pacifica raw, organic honey

A “Take Back the Tap” stainless-steel water bottle from Food and Water

Call 818-985-5735 or visit www.kpfk.org to make a pledge.

A very special thanks to: Honey Pacifica (www.honeypacifica.com) and Food and Water Watch for their generous donations to KPFK.