Pollinators like bees are more important than many realize, with the USDA estimating that roughly one out of every three bites of food depends on animal pollinators.

Beyond agricultural pollination, bees are also the backbone of Georgia’s $7.8 million honey industry, producing over 2.1 million pounds of honey in 2025.

To learn more about the important work of bees and pollination, we spoke with Ally Bees Honey, a local beekeeper.

For additional perspective, we also spoke to Bear Hug Honey, a specialty honey shop in downtown Athens, to understand trends in honey consumption.

To stay up to date on your local news, check out Grady Newsource’s YouTube Channel and other socials.

Finally, take some time to feel the season changing around yourself… allergies permitting.

Producers: Shea Brown, Anna Scull Reporter: Parker McCollum

Originally aired Wednesday, March 25th, 2026.