The Fetu O le Meli Honey Bee Project

Commodities

• Additional Plants: native plants
• Animals: bees
• Animal Products: honey

Practices

• Crop Production: agroforestry, beekeeping, pollinator health

Project Summary

The Fetu O le Meli Honey Bee Project is a research project aimed at studying the seasonality of
specific pollen and nectar sources both on the farm and in the surrounding wild ecosystem of
American Samoa. The objective of the project is to gain a detailed understanding of the
availability, variety, and timing of these floral resources throughout the year. Honey bees rely on
diverse pollen and nectar and by identifying the seasonal patterns of flowering plants, the project
aims to optimize honey production, study bee health, and support local pollinator populations.

Superstar Produce will take a hands-on approach to the project, monitoring and documenting
different flowering plants, their blooming periods, and the types of pollen and nectar they
provide. The study will include cultivated crops on the farm and native plants in the surrounding
ecosystem to provide a view of the resources available to honey bees. Data collected will help
identify any gaps or periods when floral resources are limited, allowing for strategic planting and
habitat restoration efforts to ensure that bees have access to adequate food sources year-round.

Community outreach, will ensure that knowledge gained through the research is shared with the
community and stakeholders. Superstar Produce will conduct farm tours for community
members, including local schools, environmental groups, and residents interested in beekeeping.
Superstar Produce will develop informational materials such as brochures and provide radio
updates to reach a wider audience and promote best practices for pollinator conservation.

Through this project, Superstar Produce aims to contribute to sustainable beekeeping practices
and provide the community with knowledge to actively participate in pollinator conservation
efforts. The project will build a stronger, more informed community that values and supports
biodiversity by doing the research and providing outreach.

Research and Educational Objectives

Fetu O le Meli’s research and education objectives focus on promoting sustainable practices and
advancing local knowledge. American Samoa has an isolated population of honey bees that is
free from parasites, viruses and other diseases that are very problematic in the global bee keeping
world. Our research efforts will focus on the seasonality of specific pollen and nectar sources
both on the farm and in our wild ecosystem. We will do this through monitoring the fruiting and
flowering of specific species every month and detailing the annual schedule. Educational
objectives include offering hands-on workshops for farmers, students, and community members
to learn beekeeping techniques and hive maintenance. By combining research with community
education, the project aims to create a sustainable, locally-driven honey production industry
while raising awareness about the ecological importance of bees.