With both native bee species and imported honeybees taking a beating over the past decade from pesticides, viruses, parasites and warming temperatures, the Dept. of Agriculture is seeking to assist beekeepers and farmers in planting native and other plant pollinators to allow the bees to get plenty nourishing food.............Like any well fed creature, bees defense systems are optimized when they have easy access to habitat that is rich in plant(and animal) biodiversity

click on this title to read  full article Program Looks to  Give Bees a Leg  (or Six) Up By JOHN SCHWARTZ In California's Central Valley,  researchers are trying to find  assortments of bee-friendly  plants that local farmers and  ranchers can easily grow.