Bees, butterflies and other insects are indispensable in our ecosystem. That is why, in 2019, CONO and nature society Water, Land and Dijken sowed flower seed at six CONO dairy farms in the Beemster as a pilot project that has developed into the Beemster Bee Ribbon. In recent years, the bee ribbon has grown to cover more than 20,000 m2 by 2021.

This year, CONO is entering into collaboration with the Purmerend municipality and the Beemsterling foundation in order to allow the bee line to grow even further and to let the Beemster polder flourish. The Beemster Fund makes it possible not only for CONO members but for all agricultural entrepreneurs within the Beemster to plant flowerbeds. You can register until 11 April via secretariaat@waterlandendijken.nl.

1 euro is 1 metre of flowers
The Beemsterling Foundation has launched a crowdfunding campaign for this project, calling on residents of the municipality to donate. For every euro donated, a metre of bee-lint will be sown. More flowers mean more food for bees and other insects. You can donate here.

Nature on the dairy farm
Dairy farmers live with and depend on nature. CONO strives to have as many land-bound farms as possible and to close the cycle. More feed from our own soil and from the region means less feed from far away. With cows grazing on old grassy soils with clovers as nitrogen fixers, we limit nitrogen emissions. Every farmer can have a positive influence on nature in and around his yard and land, with the Beemster Bee Ribbon as the connecting factor.
Read here more about our Caring Dairy sustainability program.

 

Photography: Miriam Koot, bee ribbon 2019