Honey Bee on Winter Aconite. Credit: Tie Guy II/ flickr

Honey bees help pollinate 1 in every 3 bites that we eat… They are vital in our agricultural industry and essential for the survival of the almost 7 billion people who inhabit this planet. And, as the world’s population continues to grow, so does our reliance on honey bees. Unfortunately, most pollinating insects throughout the world are endangered today, including the honey bee. On this edition, we’ll discuss the honey bee’s fight to survive amidst a rapidly changing landscape filled with pesticides and parasites. We will also learn the latest about colony collapse disorder and hear from beekeepers, researchers, and gardeners who are trying to protect them.

Featuring:

Hannah Nordhaus, author of the Beekeepers Lament- How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed the World; Gretchen Lebuhn, San Francisco State University professor & founder of The Great Sunflower Project; John Miller, migratory beekeeper; Brian Johnson, University of California, Davis’s entomology professor; Bill Rhodes, David Hackenberg, beekeepers; Dee Lusby, Organic Beekeeping discussion group founder; Dennis Van Engelsdorp,  Penn State University entomology scientist; Vince Rosato, Great Sunflower project participant; Khaled Almaghafi, beekeeper & Bee Healthy Honey Shop owner.

Special thanks to the producers of Vanishing of The Bees and Claire Schoen.

—WEB SEGMENTS—

The Great Sunflower Project

Esther Manilla reports on a citizen-led effort to count bees, in order to assess the health of our local environments.

Bee Rescue Service Makes a Housecall

Khaled Almaghafi is not only a beekeeper, he rescues bees when other people want to have them removed. 

For More Information:

Vanishing of the Bees
The Beekeeper’s Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America
XERCES Society 
Bee Healthy Honey Shop
Harry Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California at Davis
The Great Sunflower Project
Organic Beekeeping Society
Attracting Native Pollinators
Hannah Nordhaus
Gretchen Lebuhn
Dee Lusby

Articles, Blogs, Reports and Videos:

EU bans GM-contaminated honey from general sale
Globalisation and agriculture industry exacerbating bee decline, says UN
As bee colonies die, beekeepers face challenge finding replacements
Asian Honey, Banned in Europe, Is Flooding U.S. Grocery Shelves
A STICKY BUSINESS: Dakota’s Busy Beekeepers 
The Almond and the Bee
As honeybees decline, beekeeping booms By Candace Krebs
Forget climate change – the bees are buzzing off
How sweet it is – The economics of beekeeping in Oakland
The Silence of the Bees

Music:

Everybody Loves the Sunshine – Roy Ayers

Credit: Petr Kosina / CIMMYT

Journalist Christian Parenti speaks about his new book, Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence. He connects the effects of climate change to the increasing number of civil wars, ethnic violence, criminality and failed states between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Parenti argues that in the U.S., factions on the right are using climate change as an excuse to push for increased border control and harsh anti-immigrant policies.

Featuring:

Christian Parenti, contributing editor at The Nation, a Puffin Foundation writing fellow at The Nation Institute, and a visiting scholar at the City University of New York. He is the author of Tropic of Chaos, Lockdown America, The Soft Cage, and The Freedom.

AUDIO/Video EXTRAS:

Christian Parenti’s full length talk with questions and answers:

For more information:

Christian Parenti
The International Programme on the State of the Ocean
The Nature Conservancy
Climate Reality
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Conservation International
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Crossing Zero: The AfPak War at the Turning Point of American Empire
Invisible History

Articles/Videos

Tribes in Kenya Wage Water War
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Afghanistan Opium Survey 2011
Despair takes toll on Indian farmers
Race, Migration and the Environment: The Anti-immigrant Movement’s Greening of Hate

Music:

Michael Franti – Hey World (Don’t Give Up)
The Coup – The Stand

Photo by Irene Florez

Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world, fighting for peace, justice, the environment, and civil society. On this program we profile a dynamic partnership between the Women’s Earth Alliance and the Global Women’s Water Initiative: working on women’s rights to water, land, farming and basic human dignity.

This is a special collaboration with Lynn Feinerman and Crown Sephira Productions.

Featuring:

Rucha Chitnis, director, Women’s Earth Alliance India; Maame Yelbert-Obeng, Women’s Earth Alliance Africa; Gemma Bulos, director, Global Women’s Water Initiative; Sandra Hay, CEO and filmmaker, Unseen Pictures; Mama Catherine, activist in Cameroon.
Note: Vandana Shiva is an international advisor for Women’s Earth Alliance. She is not on the board, as stated on the program.  We apologize for the error.

For More Information:

Women’s Earth Alliance
Global Women’s Water Initiative

Women Rising
WEA-Voices of Hope film
A Single Drop for Safe Water
Evan Fraser

Articles, Videos, etc
‘We Rise’ Million Voice Choir
Tribal Women’s Struggle for Water in India
2010 West African Women & Water Training Program

MUSIC:
‘We Rise’ by Gemma Bulos
‘Solar Rising’ by Evan Fraser
‘Mother Mbira’ by Evan Fraser
‘Zawo’ by Evan Fraser

Salvadoran immigrant Domitila Martinez sometimes recruits friends to help with special farming projects at ALBA, such as transplanting strawberry plants. Source: www.albafarmers.org

It’s well known that the people picking food all across the US are predominantly low-paid Latino migrant workers. It’s ironic that the workers caring for and picking our food, have the least say about how the farms themselves are run. But a non-profit organization in Central California is working to change that, with a dynamic program that turns farm workers into farm operators and owners. Making Contact’s Andrew Stelzer reports.

Special thanks to Tena Rubio who helped produce this piece.

Cheese from Fiscalini Farm in California's Central Valley. Source: gourmetgirlmagazine.com

It’s estimated that dairy products make up a full 20% of our daily food intake here in North America. But with increased focus on cattle waste methane emissions as a factor in climate change, the dairy industry is facing intense scrutiny. Making Contact’s Rita Daniels takes us to one sustainable California dairy farm where solutions are being found, and where waste, as it turns out, makes all things possible.

Source: www.saturdaymarket.com

It’s a historical quirk that the middle of a desert–California’s central valley–has been made into an artificial agricultural oasis. Farmers in the Central Valley are getting a sneak preview of what much of the country, and the world, can expect to see in the next few decades–increasing water scarcity. So how to handle a dry outlook ahead? To look into one idea, Making Contact correspondent Joaquin Palomino visited the nearby Central Coast growing region. The availability of water is a growing issue there, too. And a handful of farmers are finding new ways to make every last drop count.

CASFS apprentice working at the UCSC Farm Source: Source: CASFS

Climate change is upon us. The world’s water supply is shrinking. And increasingly, local, organic food is becoming more than just a fad or a luxury for wealthy foodies. On this edition, we go to California, America’s leading producer of fruits, vegetables, and dairy, to see some examples of how the nation’s agricultural industry is slowly but surely moving away from factory farms.

Featuring:

Joe Schirmer, Dirty Girl Produce owner and dry farmer; Juliet Christian Smith, Pacific Institute Senior Research Associate; William Friedland, University of California at Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus of Community Studies; Jim Leap, UC Santa Cruz Agro-Ecology Center Farm Operations Manager; John Fiscalini, Fiscalini Farms President and CEO; Brian Fiscalini, Fiscalini Farms General Manager; Mariano Gonzalez, Fiscalini Cheese Company Head Cheese Maker; Richard Machado and Christopher Montes, Cheese makers; Gary Peterson, Agriculture and Land-based Training Association (ALBA) Deputy Director; Karina Canto, ALBA agriculturist and farm incubator program participant; Efren Avalos, Avalos Organic farm owner and former ALBA participant.

—

Dry Farming–a Technique for a Water Scarce Future

It’s a historical quirk that the middle of a desert–California’s central valley–has been made into an artificial agricultural oasis. Farmers in the Central Valley are getting a sneak preview of what much of the country, and the world, can expect to see in the next few decades–increasing water scarcity. So how to handle a dry outlook ahead? To look into one idea, Making Contact correspondent Joaquin Palomino visited the nearby Central Coast growing region. The availability of water is a growing issue there, too. And a handful of farmers are finding new ways to make every last drop count.

—

A Waste-Free Dairy of the Future?

It’s estimated that dairy products make up a full 20% of our daily food intake here in North America. But with increased focus on cattle waste methane emissions as a factor in climate change, the dairy industry is facing intense scrutiny. Making Contact’s Rita Daniels takes us to one sustainable California dairy farm where solutions are being found… and where waste… as it turns out… makes all things possible.

—

Turning Farm Workers into Farm Owners

It’s well known that the people picking food all across the US are predominantly low-paid Latino migrant workers. It’s ironic that the workers caring for and picking our food, have the least say about how the farms themselves are run. But a non-profit organization in Central California is working to change that, with a dynamic program that turns farm workers into farm operators and owners. Making Contact’s Andrew Stelzer reports.

Special thanks to Tena Rubio who helped produce this piece.

—

For more information:

Pacific Institute

Oakland, CA

Center for Agro-ecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CAFS), UC Santa Cruz

California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative

Occidental, CA

Dirty Girl Produce

Watsonville, CA

Fiscalini Farms

Fiscalini Cheese

Agriculture and Land-based Training Association (ALBA)

Salinas, CA

Videos, Blogs, Articles, Links:

Anaerobic Digestion of Animal Wastes: Factors to Consider

Alternative Generation Options for Methane Digesters

Cow Power: Transforming Greenhouse Gases to Renewable Energy

California Small Farm Conference

Dry Farming

Music:

Music:

‘Be Healthy’ by Dead Prez

‘Similak Child’ by Black Sheep

Roundtable guests Max Rameau, Annie Flores and Shereen D'Souza in the "Making Contact" studios. Photo: Khanh Pham

When we hear about human rights violations in the news, it’s often about genocide, war, and politically induced famine.  But what about the basic human needs that we, here in the US, not in a developing nation, need in order to go about our daily lives? On this edition, a round table discussion about the right to healthy food, the right to housing, and the right to healthcare.  Do Americans have these, and if not, what’s standing in the way?

Featuring:

Annie Flores, Womens Economic Agenda Project; Max Rameau, Take Back the Land Founder; Shereen D’Souza, California Food and Justice Coalition Director.

For more information:

California Food and Justice Coalition
Berkeley, CA

Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign
Cleveland, OH

Take Back the Land
Miami, FL

Women’s Economic Agenda Project (WEAP)
Oakland, CA

Dancing and singing in call and response at a ceremonial gathering in Haiti. Photos: Rita Daniels

Aftershocks continue to rock the island nation of Haiti, one-million people are homeless and more than 150,000 are confirmed dead. Mass burials and cremations in the streets have now replaced search and rescue efforts. On this edition, we take a look at the roots of the devastation of Haiti’s capital – Its history with the US, the militarization of American relief efforts and the economic policies that contributed to its people’s plight.

Featuring:

Daniel Brevil, Haitian-born master drummer and San Francisco Bay-Area resident; Bill Quigley, Center for Constitutional Rights Legal Director; Gabe Gonzalez, Center for Community Change Campaign Director; Pat Robertson, televangelist; Pierre Labossierre, Haiti Action Committee; Brian Concannon, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti Director; Colette Eloi, San Francisco bay-area based folkloric Haitian dance teacher; Guy de Chalus, student of traditional Haitian drumming.

Contributing Producer: Rita Daniels

—

A Report-back from a Survivor in Haiti

The recovery efforts continue in Haiti amidst a rising death toll which has now topped one hundred and fifty thousand. As the Haitian people continue to struggle for survival, we bring you a story of hope and courage. Haitian-born Daniel Brevil is a world renowned master drummer and a San Francisco Bay Area resident. He was in Port Au Prince visiting family when the quake struck.  He’s still there. Making Contact spoke to him from the center of the disaster more than a week after the quake.

—

Why is Haiti Seeing More Guns than Aid?

The Haitian community has banded together and pooled their resources to help feed, clothe and administer medical care to each other since the earthquake struck on January 12th. And although aid is reportedly starting to trickle into the Port-Au-Prince metropolitan area, there is widespread concern that people are still seeing more guns than aid. Why is that? We spoke to Bill Quigley. He’s the Legal Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.

—

Economic Roots of the Devastation in Haiti

While the international community mobilizes to get aid – and guns – to Haiti, others are sending money and prayers. No matter where you were in the world when news of the devastation hit, disbelief seemed to be a global common denominator.  How could Haiti be dealt another blow, when it has already suffered so much?  Making Contact’s Pauline Bartolone searched for some answers.

—

Haitian Dance Shows Culture of Resilience

African-rooted folkloric dance is a staple of everyday Haitian life. You see it in many places, including local ceremonies and national events.  But there is a community of Haitians and non-Haitians around the globe that has studied the art for years and transported it beyond the island nation. Making Contact’s Rita Daniels attended a Haitian dance class in Oakland, CA just days after the earthquake.

—

For More Information:

Center for Community Change
Washington, DC

Center for Constitutional Rights
New York, NY

Doctors Without Borders
New York, NY

Haiti Action Committee
Berkeley, CA

Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti
Joseph, OR

Partners in Health
Haiti

TransAfrica Forum
Washington, DC

Articles and Radio Essays

“Holding Up Haiti: Women Respond to Nightmare Earthquake”

“The Power of History–Haiti” by Mumia Abu-Jamal

Making Contact covered health care reform, Iraq war veterans, and food crises in U.S. breadbaskets.

Two wars continued, the economy remained in freefall, and as hardship ensued, people crafted creative solutions.  On this edition, we look back at some of the most compelling stories we brought you during 2009, and find out where things are headed for 2010.

Featuring portions of the following shows:

Many Voices for a Single-Payer System

Voices: Single-payer protestors at Senate Finance Committee meetings; U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.).

The War Comes Home: Washington’s Battle Against America’s Veterans

Voices: Zollie Goodman, former Naval petty officer

How We Survive: The Deepening Homeless Crisis

Voices: Max Rameau, Take Back The Land founder; Marie Nadine Pierre, Take Back the Land participant.

How We Survive: Sprouting Up in Empty Breadbaskets

Voices: Rachel Klein, Fresno Community Food Bank Worker; Evangelina Zaragoza, Needs Food Aid; Nayamin Martinez, Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities Health Coordinator.

The Greening of America: A New Deal for Everyone?

Voices: Lawrence Martinez, Randy Mason, Keith Rose and Antoine Sawyer, Richmond Build trainees; Zoey Burrows, Solar Richmond Development & Communications staff member; Samuel Charles, Richmond Build lead instructor.

Also featuring: Russ Choma, Investigative journalist with the Investigative Reporting workshop at the American University School of Communication.

For More Information:

Many Voices for a Single-Payer System:

California Nurses Association (CNA)
Oakland, CA

Physicians for a National Health Program
Chicago, IL

Health Care-NOW! New York, NY

Labor Campaign for Single Payer Health Care

Single Payer Action Washington, DC

U.S. Congressman John Conyers

U.S. Senator Max Baucus

The War Comes Home: Washington’s Battle Against America’s Veterans

Aaron Glantz, Author
 of “The War Comes Home: Washington’s Battle Against America’s Veterans
”

National Veterans Foundation
Los Angeles, CA

New Directions Los Angeles, CA

Sierra College Veteran Student Alliance

Swords to Plowshares
San Francisco, CA

Veterans for Common Sense
Washington, DC

How We Survive: The Deepening Homeless Crisis

Take Back the Land
Miami, FL

US Human Rights Network

Picture the Homeless

How We Survive: Sprouting Up in Empty Breadbaskets:

Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities
Fresno, CA

California Institute for Rural Studies
Davis, CA

California Conservation Corps Foundation
Benecia, CA

California Food and Justice Coalition
Berkeley, CA

Fresno Community Food Bank
Fresno, CA

Fresno Metro Ministry
Fresno, CA

The Greening of America: A New Deal for Everyone?

Ella Baker Center Green Jobs campaign
Oakland, CA

Richmond Build
Richmond, CA

Solar Richmond
Richmond, CA

“Overseas firms collecting most green energy money”

Russ Choma, Investigative Reporting Workshop
Russ Choma

Green Equity Toolkit: Advancing Race, Gender and Economic Equity in the Green Economy