Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them ²⁶

Bitter Honey examines one of the largest yet least visible agricultural migrations in the United States: the annual transport of millions of honey bee colonies to California’s Central Valley to pollinate vast almond orchards in bloom. Each February, semi-trucks loaded with hives move nearly 99 percent of the nation’s domesticated bees, which later disperse across the country to pollinate apples, berries, and other essential crops. This operation sustains both beekeepers and farmers, yet it carries significant ecological and human costs.

The book reveals the impact of industrial agriculture on bees and on those who depend on them. Colonies face a combination of threats, including parasites, disease, pesticide exposure, and climate extremes—pressures intensified by large-scale farming systems. At the same time, beekeepers endure demanding practices and high annual hive losses in order to maintain commercial pollination services.

Rather than presenting only a story of crisis, the work also highlights the efforts of beekeepers, farmers, and advocates who are developing new approaches to support both wild and managed bees. With nearly three-quarters of major food crops relying on pollinators, the book underscores the urgency of protecting these essential insects for biodiversity, agricultural sustainability, and future generations.

Key Features

• Explores the annual migration of honey bees for commercial pollination
• Examines the ecological impact of industrial agriculture on pollinators
• Discusses threats such as parasites, disease, pesticides, and climate extremes
• Includes perspectives from beekeepers, farmers, and environmental advocates
• Highlights the importance of bees for global food security