Hay harvesting calendar in Romania           

In 2021, the cultural intangible heritage connected to hay was included in the National Inventory of Intangible Heritage in Romania, with the title “The Culture of Hay: knowledge and traditional practices concerning hay harvesting in semi-natural meadows, in the mountain and sub-mountain areas of Carpathians Mountains”. It is a complex document, including the description of… Continue reading Hay harvesting calendar in Romania           

A Year On The Field Project

Comparing 2000 years of cultivation: seeds, technology, and processing The “A Year On The Field” Project seeks to exchange knowledge about cultivation of one crop through the centuries and in many parts of the world, powered by diverse museum sites, living history farms and also commercial farms (conventional or organic). The international project was initiated… Continue reading A Year On The Field Project

Virtual “Draft Animals” and a Virtual “Plowing Match” before they happen! A note from Bob Powell

Before I begin, I will blame this impromptu personal “blog” on our colleagues and friends, Cozette Griffin Kremer and Claus Kropp who suggested, nay twisted my arm, to write something to link two up and coming events.  As 2021 proceeds still under the effects of the Covid-19 virus, two related “virtual” events are occurring.  Firstly,… Continue reading Virtual “Draft Animals” and a Virtual “Plowing Match” before they happen! A note from Bob Powell

Year of the ox: an informative celebration of work oxen technologies worldwide

Abstract: A high-resolution educational poster has been created illustrating the use of working oxen in 62 countries. This portrays a wide variety of operations (including tillage, transport and post-harvest technologies) and harnessing systems (for single oxen, pairs and teams). While most work oxen are castrated cattle, some are cows or bulls. Some reasons for the decline… Continue reading Year of the ox: an informative celebration of work oxen technologies worldwide

Bees in Egypt of the Pharaohs

Abstract: In Ancient Egypt honey bees seemed to have been of great significance during all periods – as decoration or motif in various contexts as well as icon within the religious and mythological sphere. In addition to that, bees also seemed to have been devoted as a symbol of the royal status and were applied… Continue reading Bees in Egypt of the Pharaohs

Commercial bumblebee breeding in Norway

Abstract:Norway was early in starting to produce bumblebees for use in tomato cultivation in commercial greenhouses. This niche production is relatively complicated and therefore requires good knowledge and precise work. The Department for Agriculture was concerned that importing bumblebees could lead to importing of sicknesses and to genetic pollution of native Norwegian bumblebees. This article… Continue reading Commercial bumblebee breeding in Norway

Virtual Symposium Nov 14th 2020

We invite you to join AIMA on Nov 14th 2020 for our first virtual symposium. As many of our members and we as an organization had to adapt and adjust to the ongoing crisis and its challenges, we would like to share our experiences with a wider public. Register now: https://ingeniumcanada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OaBkqCh9ReytGD5MIqwt_A The conference will feature… Continue reading Virtual Symposium Nov 14th 2020

A little follow up on our blogpost on beekeeping in Slovenia

On June 29th, we posted a very interesting report on beekeeking in Slovenia by our fellow AIMA member Barbara Sosič (follow this link to the blog post here: https://www.agriculturalmuseums.org/2020/06/29/poetry-of-agriculture-on-the-significance-of-beekeeping-in-slovenia/ ) About a month later, BBC reel published yet another interesting aspect of slovenian beekeeping which we want to bring to your attention: https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p08lb5l4/the-therapeutic-sound-of-slovenian-bees?fbclid=IwAR0c-P7HpFIqrk1h7K1xSocBw4SjKzyZSik_N8rxmsS_2Iyo_10K-fsJSUg (Please note,… Continue reading A little follow up on our blogpost on beekeeping in Slovenia

How to do bee business despite Covid-19? Some practical and personal experience from Firestone Farm, Dearborn, Michigan

Abstract While the global pandemic disrupts our routines, those who care for livestock, including domesticated honey bees, must continue care without disruption. Patrice Fisher, the beekeeper at Firestone Farm, reports that bees are thriving at the living history farm within Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, as of 4 June and 6 July… Continue reading How to do bee business despite Covid-19? Some practical and personal experience from Firestone Farm, Dearborn, Michigan

Poetry of agriculture? On the Significance of Beekeeping in Slovenia

AbstractsSlovenia is home to excellent beekeepers and the indigenous Carniolan bee. Beekeeping is one of the oldest traditional activities and an important part of Slovenia’s identity, natural and cultural heritage. It is a kind of a national hobby; there are 5 beekeepers per 1000 inhabitants in a population of just two million, together around 11.000.… Continue reading Poetry of agriculture? On the Significance of Beekeeping in Slovenia

Did anybody care about, or for, bees in the European Middle Ages?

Abstract: Medieval texts and iconography have much to tell us about beekeeping in Europe, from how hives were constructed to who took care of them, and… for whom. Résumé: Les textes et l’iconographie du Moyen Âge en Europe recèlent une pléthore d’informations sur l’apiculture, sur les ruches, sur qui s’en occupait et… pour qui. Keywords:Honeybees… Continue reading Did anybody care about, or for, bees in the European Middle Ages?

How has beekeeping changed over time? An archaeobeekeeper and an archaeological open-air museum in Germany showcase pre- and proto-historic beekeeping methods

Abstracts: Archaeological finds provide proof of beekeeping in man-made places for bees to live in for the first sedentary cultures. Tubular wooden constructions (log hives) and skeps are the typical bee habitations for (pre-)historic beekeepingin Central Europe. Only two really groundbreaking changes can be pointed out that have led to the modern type of beehives… Continue reading How has beekeeping changed over time? An archaeobeekeeper and an archaeological open-air museum in Germany showcase pre- and proto-historic beekeeping methods

What can law do for bees? A touch of history

Abstracts: We have evidence for honey-gathering from rock art dating back to the Mesolithic, but there is also information about beekeeping in the context of laws (and literature) in early Ireland – what do you do when a neighbour’s bees invade your property? Worse still, what happens if one stings you? Even worse, what happens… Continue reading What can law do for bees? A touch of history

Which came first, bees or crops? Why does it matter?

Abstracts: Flying insects, particularly bees, transfer pollen to flowers to facilitate plant reproduction. The Western or European honeybee (Apis mellifera) may get the most attention because of the honey they produce, but other bees pollinate vegetables, berries, and other fruits on which we all depend. Adding the natural history of bees to the agricultural history of… Continue reading Which came first, bees or crops? Why does it matter?

Why all the buzz about bees? AIMA bloggers encourage us to Bee Aware!

Bees – one short name accounts for 16,000 to 20,000 species of hairy flying insects classified into seven families. All live within social communities that depend on strict work routines. They all seek the same food sources – pollen and nectar – and each processes their harvest and preserves it in hives built in the… Continue reading Why all the buzz about bees? AIMA bloggers encourage us to Bee Aware!