Chandler Register has been raising bees for more than 30 years.

But his bees do more than just make honey, they pollinate
fruits and vegetables.

By taking pollen from the male flower to the female flower, they help fertilize crops so fruits and vegetables will grow.

Register raises these bees to help local farmers pollinate crops like cucumbers and watermelons. But he says last year, 80 percent of these bees suddenly died off

Beekeeper Chandler Register says, "We had to borrow money to keep our business going and one or two more years like we experienced last year is gonna put us out."

Register farms has been struck by Colony Collapse Disorder.

Officials say this mysterious disease appeared in the U.S. a couple of years ago.

Echols County Extension Agent Justin Shealey, "Its basically where the bees just begin dying in the hives, nobody really knows what's causing it right now."

Officials say Colony Collapse Disorder has been found in more than 23 states...and if bees continue to die off, it will cost more for farmers to pollinate their crops, leaving higher grocery store prices in its wake.

"This year, I've lost between 30 and 40 percent already," Register says.

Register says there is no government program to subsidize the losses he and his fellow beekeepers are facing.

And he's worried that in these tough economic times, he won't see any help coming.

Register knows other beekeepers who quit and he mentioned one who lost all of his hives because of the disease.

Register contacted his congressmen to discuss the problem, but he's received no response.