University of California Davis Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
Founded in 1905, the University of California Davis was originally the University Farm for California University; recognized as the University of California Davis in 1959. UC Davis is a leader in interdisciplinary study, offering more than 100 academic majors and 86 graduate programs with the central purpose of being a comprehensive research university. UC Davis has held strong to its purpose and has a very strong reputation in the area of research, ranking first in the UC system and fifth in the nation in non-federal research expenditures.
Their leadership in the research field can be seen in their extremely active entomology program especially in The Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, the largest and most comprehensive state-supported apiculture facility and staff in North America, offering unique opportunities to both student and researcher for the entire University of California system.
As a brand focused on using the finest, all natural ingredients in its ice cream, Häagen-Dazs® Ice Cream values the important role honey bees play in creating many of its most treasured flavors. Through its Häagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees™ campaign, Häagen-Dazs ice cream is committed to funding research to support sustainable pollination and has partnered with the University of California Davis Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility to further the facility’s outstanding research in this field.
The generous donation from the Häagen-Dazs brand will support continued research at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research facility including:
Harry H. Laidlaw Endowment for Honey Bee Genetics and Pollination Research: More than half of the gift will be used to support this already existing endowment to further research capabilities at this prestigious facility
Häagen-Dazs brand Bee Reproduction Room: Increasing the bee population is essential in combating the recent decline of pollinators and a portion of the Häagen-Dazs gift will be used to develop a new honey bee reproduction room within the newly-renovated bee laboratory
In order to maintain a strong understanding about the various sustainable pollination issues, Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream has created a Bee Board which will serve to provide insight and consultation on the growing honey bee problem and new research findings. Bee Board members from UC Davis will include; Sue Cobey, Bee Researcher, Eric Mussen, Apiculturist for the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, and Michael Parrella, Associate Dean, Division of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.