Adopt a Beehive in Piedmont

3Bee is the Nature Tech company developing technologies for the protection of biodiversity. 3Bee Hive-Tech is 3Bee's first system for analysing the health and 'starvation' status of honeybees, environmental pests par excellence. Over time, we have developed other technologies to study and monitor all the pollinating insects and created more than 200 Oases of Biodiversity with thousands of nectariferous plants to provide them with nourishment. In this way, we want to create a virtuous circle: our beekeepers are transformed by necessity into Oasis growers and promoters of environmental biodiversity. We do not encourage massive production and intensive breeding, which have a negative impact on biodiversity and pollinators. We do, however, recognise the value of honey as a valuable symbol of the biodiversity of an environment and a tool for disseminating the commitment and protection of an area, to be consumed sparingly and with respect for the life cycle of these insects.

How do you choose between the many beekeepers available? Do you base yourself on the different types of honey or do you prefer a hive closer to home? We now know very well that honey is the fruit of a particular territory. Each beekeeper's honey, therefore, is potentially different from the others, precisely because the bees give us in it all the variety and richness of the place where they collect the precious nectar. Perhaps getting to know a little better the beekeepers who adhere to "Adopt a hive" will make your choice easier. So today we continue our journey through the various regions of Italy to introduce you to all the Piedmontese beekeepers that are part of the project.

Piedmont is an extremely important region for Italian beekeeping. According to data from the Anagrafe apistica (May 2019 data), there are as many as 211,869 beehives, of which 33,443 are for self-consumption only and 178,426 for actual trade. Since the end of the Middle Ages, beekeeping has played a central role in the region. The regional production is very diverse, and unifloral honeys are very numerous. Certainly, among the most widespread and sought-after honeys are chestnut, acacia, linden, dandelion, rhododendron and high-mountain wildflower. Adopt a beehive in Piedmont and enjoy the extreme variety that this territory offers: from the high mountains to the plains!

Apicoltura Alpi Mel: Alberto set up his beekeeping business in 2018, running it respecting tradition but introducing new elements. Alpi Mel beekeeping is based in the Cuneo area, near the Maritime Alps Natural Park in Palanfrè, where the bees, in unspoilt nature, produce mountain honey, especially chestnut and dandelion. Azienda Agricola Note di Miele: this beekeeping reality is all-female, founded and run by Patrizia since 2018, when she decided to turn a hobby of hers into a job: beekeeping. Patrizia's bees can be found in the Asti hills and we can say that they have some pretty badass taste in music! Patrizia has dedicated each of her hives to a different musical genre and by adopting her bees, you can closely follow the development and growth of Queen Patti (Smith) and her Punk beehive!

Paulin Takumbo Takam's Polyagrinova farm: Paulin, of Cameroonian origin, realised during his studies at the Faculty of Agriculture that he would make beekeeping his job. Since 2014, his company in Asti has been producing organic honey, which has been awarded several times in various competitions: acacia, honeydew, chestnut and millefiori. Posella Beekeeping: Posella Beekeeping, run by Raffaele, is located in Piedmont. Its hives are located in the Po River Park, in the province of Turin. The varied flora that characterises the area alongside the river provides nourishment for the bees, which produce acacia honey and mixed-flower honey. L'Apeperina: Isabella and Antonio run this young company in the Turin area. Their hives are located within the Po river park, but in summer they also go on holiday to the alpine valleys of the Pinerolo area, where they can fly in the beautiful lime and chestnut forests.

Le Avije: this small Piedmontese company is run by Mattia and Antonio, who together look after around 250 hives. In their territory, at the gates of the Gran Paradiso Park, they conduct short-range nomadism, producing acacia, chestnut, millefiori, lime, dandelion, rhododendron and alpine flora. Apiculture Danilo Favro: Danilo and his bees are located in the beautiful Val di Susa, where they produce honey from chestnut, linden, chestnut-wood and acacia. Il Giramiele: the bees of Il Giramiele are located a stone's throw from the mountains and the Gran Paradiso National Park. Here they produce mixed-flower, acacia, chestnut and rhododendron honey. Igor Petracco: Igor's bees are located in the Elvo Valley, where he practices short-range nomadism to produce different types of honey and pollen.