Why are hairy legs important to Agriculture?

Bees Collect pollen on their legs.

When a bee collects nectar and pollen from the flower of a plant, some pollen from the stamens, the male reproductive organ of the flower, sticks to the hairs of the bee’s body. When she visits the next flower, some of this pollen is rubbed off onto the stigma or tip of the pistil, the flower's female reproductive organ.

1/3 of all the food we eat is directly or indirectly derived from honeybee pollination. Beekeeping is vital to agriculture, as honeybees produce honey and pollinate numerous crops essential for food production.

For more information, visit the Honeybee Discovery Center website at www.honeybeediscoverycenter.org

About American Agri-Women:

American Agri-Women (AAW) is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch, and agri-business women. Since 1974, AAW members have been at the forefront of advocating for and helping shape policy to ensure a safe, reliable, affordable food, fiber, fuel, and mineral supply for our nation's families.

For more information or to join us, visit the American Agri-Women website at www.americanagriwomen.org. You can also find AAW on social media at facebook.com/AgriWomen and twitter.com/Women4Ag.