Bee Fresh Farm Activities

We are a registered Monarch Waystation. We started the Butterfly walk in 2015 by mowing a path thru natural grasses and a smattering of milkweed. We planted Black-eyed Susans and Sedum. Last year an addition of a bench to sit and observe and more milkweed was planted along with Echinacea This year we have added a walkway door made from recycled doors and wood pieces as the entrance way. The butterfly garden is at the front of our Apiary, so the Bees and Butterflies both benefit from the naturalization of flowers. We invite you to bring your camera and sit and relax.Monarchs, who have declined by more than 80 percent over the past two decades, are currently being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but a final decision isn’t expected until June 2019. In the meantime, their advocates have been working on measures that could help them survive, including increased calls for planting milkweed.

Monarchs face a number of threats and challenges along their epic migration, but one of the biggest threats they face today is a loss of milkweed. It’s the only plant that monarchs lay eggs on and the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat.
Other threats to monarchs range from predators and disease to habitat loss, pesticide use, and severe weather.